Quote:

---

The rifle in the original post doesn't appear to have the "Lee Speed Patents" marking. I'm a long way from having any expertise in the area, but to me it looks like a very nicely executed sporter conversion of an early Lee.

---

Indeed, but thanks for sharing what you do know.

The absence of the "Lee-Speed patents" mark simply signifies that the patents had expired after 17 years and so were public domain.

Since this occurred about 1910, that jives with the date on the sold-out-of-service date on the 30" barrel.

Then again, there's the swanky grip safety (used with the non-safety bolt) which was a factory option (see red-lined 1908 Catalog text excerpt above).

Post Extras