BSA Lee Speed .303

[Dogleg]

When a guy who we'll call "Sarg" contacted me to see if I could take possession of an old .303 British for him I thought there had to be something up. You see, Sarg lives in New Zealand, though I met him in Australia where he was guiding. Obviously it wasn't going to be a milsurp. Getting it there may be an adventure by itself.

In due course the package arrived and a Lee Speed sporter leapt out of the packaging. I use the word leapt advisedly, because I'm 90% sure that this rifle is alive. Frankly, its a little spooky.

The rifle is slim, trim and 7.6 pounds and handles like its alive. It has express sights to 300 yards and a ladder from there. There's one much like it in "The ghost and the darkness" and I'm fairly sure there is a ghost in this one.

 

[farshot]

I love those rifles... a very nice one too!

I also believe they have a special life and flair to these rifles. I have come to really appreciate the long, open pistol grip that does not cramp your hand. The English understood that part of stock making. My old (and new) German rifles usually have relatively cramped short pistol grips that can lead to a bite in your second finger from the trigger guard.

 

[Baribal]

Is it marked as Lee-Speed or it has the BSA stamp?

That's a nice one, looks like a No. 2 Pattern. Very nice find. Congrats.

 

[1899]

That's a keeper!

 

[Dogleg]

That's a keeper!

Ya, but I don't get to keep it.

 

[Dogleg]

Is it marked as Lee-Speed or it has the BSA stamp?

That's a nice one, looks like a No. 2 Pattern. Very nice find. Congrats.

Well there's something. I'm just calling it what they call it and assumed that Lee Speed was more a type than a brand. It has BSA on the action action ring and Cogswell and Harrison Ltd Bond St & Strand London on the barrel. There's a little light engraving on the action, floorplate and magazine.

 

[1899]

Ya, but I don't get to keep it.

Possession is 9/10 of the law.

 

[Mike Webb]

Nice, nice rifle. Has that East African look to it.

 

[Baribal]

Well there's something. I'm just calling it what they call it and assumed that Lee Speed was more a type than a brand. It has BSA on the action action ring and Cogswell and Harrison Ltd Bond St & Strand London on the barrel. There's a little light engraving on the action, floorplate and magazine.

Then, that should be a No. 1.
You have the original magazine, a very good plus and the wood is sure of the No. 1 quality

There was also a serie of rifles made for officers.

The early commercial Lee-Speed were marked as such, but the later have BSA trade name.


The civilian serie;

The "officers" serie

 

[Dogleg]

Possession is 9/10 of the law.

Good point.

 

[Baribal]

You should be able to date it from this site;

http://www.rifleman.org.uk/Dating your rifle.htm

 

[CMichaud]

I posted this up in Antique & BP but then came across this old thread. Mine is very similar it seems, albeit not nearly in as nice condition...

The stock had an "incident" somewhere in its history and the horn tip needs some love. It was D&T'd for a scope base but all in all relatively complete and a great bore.

I cannot get over how light and handy these feel in the hands.

More pics in the album here http://imgur.com/a/UTHEL