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Thanks for posting. The rifle in the photo is indeed a commercial sporter---built for sale to civilians, not part of a miltary contract. It is not a conversion from a military surplus rifle; therefore, it does not have a royal crown or a date. It was most likely built by BSA (Birmingham Small Arms). The other manufacturer was LSA (London Small Arms). If Bell purchased it from Fraser, then Fraser was just the retailer. These BSA and LSA sporters were retailed by dozens of "gunmakers" whose contribution ranged from their own custom stocks and engraving to simply putting their name on the barrel. (Fraser might have offered Bell a rifle with custom barrels, but most retailers did not change a gun to this extent). Most sporters came from BSA looking exactly like the one in the photo, with about a hundred minor variations as customer options.

However, we don't know for certain that the rifle in the photo is Bell's. The text doesn't actually make that claim. More likely it is a stock photo used as an example of the type. (The express sight on this one is a bit different than the express sights typically seen on these....but there's no sense speculating without a better photograph).

For many years, these rifles carried the stamp "Lee Speed Patents," in recognition of the patents held by J.P. Lee and J.J. Speed. Lee designed the action and Speed made some improvements. That's why these rifles are often called "Lee Speeds" even though that was never an official model designation at BSA or LSA. The heyday of these rifles was pre-WWI. By the start of WWII, they were no longer produced.

For more info on Lee Speeds, see the threads here at Nitro Express in the Lee Speed forum. I'm happy to answer specific questions, either on the forum or via PM.

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Researching Lee Speeds and all commercial Lee Enfields. If you have data to share or questions, please send me a PM.

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