Lee Speed BSA 303 Identification

[canknucklehead]

I have a Lee Speed BSA 303 that I inherited from my father, does anyone have any info on them? I will attach markings. Not sure of the age or if it was a commercial or military version. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[Evanguy]

It's a commercial build lee Enfield rifle. It seems to be a Metford barrel due to the lack of "E" stamped into the Knox form. So I guess its more correctly a commercial built lee Metford rifle.

It may be a commercial sporting rifle or a commercial mill spec rifle. Some were built from factory as sporters.

Post pics of the whole thing

 

[superbee]

Some info here

https://www.scribd.com/document/703038887/EDMAN-Arms-Heritage-article-Long-Lee-v8

 

[canknucklehead]

It's a commercial build lee Enfield rifle. It seems to be a Metford barrel due to the lack of "E" stamped into the Knox form. So I guess its more correctly a commercial built lee Metford rifle.

It may be a commercial sporting rifle or a commercial mill spec rifle. Some were built from factory as sporters.

Post pics of the whole thing

Here are a few more photos with some barrel markings

 

[bearhunter]

I believe it has the wrong magazine and it also appears to have had its fore end cut back. The butt stock appears to be a replacement as well.

Still, a very nice rifle, and seeing as it has sentimental value, I would leave it as is.

 

[tiriaq]

The Alex. Henry mark is interesting. Wonder when it was applied? The rifle has seen considerable modification over the last century.

 

[Dosing]

https://www .john-dickson.com/about-us-alex-henry

 

[superbee]

Here is a better link to my previous post,lots of great info.

https://www.milsurps.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=123559&d=1643280850

 

[antiqueguy]

I believe it has the wrong magazine and it also appears to have had its fore end cut back. The butt stock appears to be a replacement as well.

Still, a very nice rifle, and seeing as it has sentimental value, I would leave it as is.

I think the lee speeds had a short curved bottom magazine.

 

[bearhunter]

Some of them did, especially the units built on carbine length rifles.