Lee Speed Sporting Rifle?

[hermn8r]

I came across what appears to be a Lee Speed Sporting rifle however I'm not knowledgable enough about these to confirm this. Looking online has only confused me more as to what this one is exactly. The wrist is stamped Sparkbrook 1896 L.E. which I've come to find out was pre BSA? Barrel, bolt, and receiver are all numbers matching. The safety is activated by the thumb on the back of the bolt (different than your typical military Enfield). Rear sight has been removed and replaced with an aperture sight. Stock has what appears to be factory checkering on the forend and wrist.

Any info on this one would be greatly appreciated. I can attach more pictures of any specific areas to this thread if need be.

 

[enefgee]

This is a former military rifle, not a Lee Speed Sporter, the give away is the wrist stamping - VR - Victoria Regina, also the barrel is cut for military sights. The gun was built for the Crown at Sparkbrook and is a "long" Lee. The safety is in the standard location for an early Lee.

 

[smellie]

I have a rifle which is pretty much a twin to this one.

It bears a plethora of View markings under the wood and evidently saw service in South Africa following the Second Boer War.

Same checkering, nicely donw and excellent finish, commercial, not military.

As well, I have seen another rifle which is very similar.

I would think likely they were sportered as a batch following Sale. I know the bore on mine is close to perfect and it is a nice Period shooter.

I picked it up about 20 years ago for a modest amount. Evidently it came from an estate and had been hiding behind a door for about 50 years. Nobody knew what it was, although it was guessed as "likely a .303"!

Lovely old things!

 

[jamesharrison]

These are what Lee Speed "High Velocity Sporting Rifles" [B.S.A.Co.'s term for them] look like.

Number 1 Pattern: Full-length file-cut rib, engraved, horn fore-end tip & grip cap, engraved trap butt with oiler & pull-through (1st & 2nd photos) rifle in 1st photo has a grip safety, while the 2nd has normal cocking piece safety
Number 2 Pattern: No rib, engraved, horn fore-end tip & grip cap, engraved trap butt with oiler & pull-through (3rd photo)
Number 3 Pattern: No rib, not engraved, horn fore-end tip & grip cap, trap butt without oiler or pull-through. Usually made after Mr. Speed's patents had expired, so the makers (ONLY B.S.A.Co & L.S.A.Co.Ld. actually made them, the rest were simply "retailed" by any iron-monger or "gun-maker" who bought 5 or more & wanted their name on the barrel, rib or dust cover engraved by the real maker) could have their name engraved on them. As Fraser had a M (Not shown, but photos available)
Number 4 Pattern: No rib, not engraved, plain fore-end tip & no grip cap, file-cut butt without oiler or pull-through (Not shown, but photos available)

As has been mentioned, Sparkbrook was simply one of the makers for British military contracts. Parker-Hale eventually took over the site when their factory was expropriated for the Birmingham Ring Road.

There are a number of these "bubba'ed" military sporters extant. They were retailed by Eaton's post WW1. There seems to be 3 main types. One having an un-cut barrel, one with the barrel cut at ~24" & 1 with a Bush / carbine length 18-20" barrel.

 

[bdft]

I would hesitate to call these "bubba-ed" rifles. I suppose they fit the description as they are modified military rifles. I have two very similar to the OP's and they are very well made. I bought both of mine from the EE, and yes, they were sold as Bubba-ed junk. 200.00 a piece.

 

[enefgee]

The quality of some of these rifles puts them far above "Bubba" - some were produced by quite famous names.

 

[Evanguy]

The guy who called them "bubba'ed" did it in quotes. Hes knows whats out there for lee speeds/sporter lee rifles ( he was using it in the context of an unknown gun smith)

 

[gaff]

looking at the picture, you can see that it had volley sights at one time(forestock and receiver) also sporting a military-style butt plate.

 

[bros]

These are what Lee Speed "High Velocity Sporting Rifles" [B.S.A.Co.'s term for them] look like.

Number 1 Pattern: Full-length file-cut rib, engraved, horn fore-end tip & grip cap, engraved trap butt with oiler & pull-through (1st & 2nd photos) rifle in 1st photo has a grip safety, while the 2nd has normal cocking piece safety
Number 2 Pattern: No rib, engraved, horn fore-end tip & grip cap, engraved trap butt with oiler & pull-through (3rd photo)
Number 3 Pattern: No rib, not engraved, horn fore-end tip & grip cap, trap butt without oiler or pull-through. Usually made after Mr. Speed's patents had expired, so the makers (ONLY B.S.A.Co & L.S.A.Co.Ld. actually made them, the rest were simply "retailed" by any iron-monger or "gun-maker" who bought 5 or more & wanted their name on the barrel, rib or dust cover engraved by the real maker) could have their name engraved on them. As Fraser had a M (Not shown, but photos available)
Number 4 Pattern: No rib, not engraved, plain fore-end tip & no grip cap, file-cut butt without oiler or pull-through (Not shown, but photos available)

As has been mentioned, Sparkbrook was simply one of the makers for British military contracts. Parker-Hale eventually took over the site when their factory was expropriated for the Birmingham Ring Road.

There are a number of these "bubba'ed" military sporters extant. They were retailed by Eaton's post WW1. There seems to be 3 main types. One having an un-cut barrel, one with the barrel cut at ~24" & 1 with a Bush / carbine length 18-20" barrel.

View attachment 550387View attachment 550388View attachment 550389

Very , very nice stuff you have there James.......I would give them room beside my 303 collection any day. Those old rifles have a certain nostalgia that can't be replaced by stainless steel and synthetic stocks. Old time craftmanship is very evident!!

 

[bearhunter]

Not only that but considering the venerable 303Brit is near equal to the 308Win (yes, the 308Win has a slight edge) with just about all bullet weights, those old girls are still very viable in the field.

 

[superbee]

Only started collecting lee speeds 3-4 years ago.They have a certain mystique that will never be again.
Got this one a few years ago, turned out to be one of the 970 that was bought by the british navy in WWI

 

[enefgee]

The thing I find interesting about these and other sporting rifles of the period is how well they shoulder. The stock design just seems to put the rifle in the right place very quickly - there's no 'looking for the sights' it's shoulder, cheek, sights. I wish modern rifles came up so well.

 

[woodchopper]

I'll need to dig mine out again to have a look at it.

It is either a No3 or No4 pattern not one of the 'fancier' grades.

receiver is plain with no engraving, but I believe that it has a rosewood nose cap.

 

[Evanguy]

I love these old rifles. I cant wait for the stock for my lee speed (well, more so bubbed mil surplus spotter) to be finished.

Although I wish I brought my early made real BSA Lee Speed to BC with me. I'm not sure why I thought it was a good idea to pack it away and not take it.

 

[buckbrush]

Lee-Speed’s sights are regulated for the 215 gr load, unless marked on the barrel that they are regulated for the 174 “High velocity” load.

 

[Evanguy]

Lee-Speed’s sights are regulated for the 215 gr load, unless marked on the barrel that they are regulated for the 174 “High velocity” load.

if you have the original mag you can also tell by the feed lips. the size of the is greatly changed when they went to the 174 gr bullet. most of my pre SMLE mags wont even hold 174/180gr bullets in them a as loaded mag.

 

[chasseur]

Here s a pic of mine a no 3 pattern(no forend tip or pistol grip cap but it does have light engraving) that I purchased quite a while ago from reliable gun