Tikirocker
New member
Just got the old girl home yesterday and have only stripped and cleaned the barreled action at this stage. This Lee Speed looks to be very much based on the MLM MkII* judging from the various parts and configuration. The rifle has a service numbered tang with an R letter prefix indicating it was a Military Reserve club target rifle. The right side wrist is typically marked BSA & M co Lee Speed Patents. Dating this rifle, I would guess from 1895 on ...
The barrel is 1'26 dated, Lithgow stamped on top of nocks, 5 Lithgow inspection stamps reside on the right side of the barrel and the foresight is stamped with the small Lithgow A within a star. The Lithgow SAF made replacement barrels for Long Lee-Enfields into the 1920's and it is said that it was from this barrel design that the heavy barrel for the No1 MkIII SMLE was inspired. The latter is the profile of the Long Lee barrel shortened by 5 inches.
The dial sight plate ( marked 1600-2800 yards ) is marked III and also is stamped with the small Lithgow A within star. Barrel is in excellent condition for its age, a bright and shiny bore very likely a testament to life as a target rifle.
The butt stock carries a roundel not observed in any works by Skennerton, being a Commercial mark, this is perhaps not unusual. The roundel reads Birmingham Small Arms & Metal Co - with the letters LIMTd within the circle for Limited or Ltd. The broad arrow mark is present on the bolt safety - the fore-end has provision for the clearing rod - no longer present - but the nose cap is a Mk1* that does not have provision for the clearing rod hole. Very likely this was swapped out when the rifle was re-barreled or during its time as a reserve arm.
The volley sights have been removed in a manner consistent with military conversion and I believe this was likely done during its time as a reserve arm also. The magazine retains the chain link and is the 10 round type. The dust cover and magazine cut off are both present, though the piling swivel has been removed, provision for one still remains.
My assessment of this Commercial BSA Lee Speed is that it started out life as a MLM MkII* ( BSA Called it a Long Mk1* ) equivalent, known in the BSA Commercial Catologues as a British Government Pattern and sold as Military Pattern Match Rifles. The rifle saw life as a Military Reserve Club target rifle and underwent a conversion of the volley sights during this time, as it is also without a back sight. The space remains for what would have likely been a BSA No 9 or Mues aperture sight, since removed - I will be procuring one to put the rifle back to last known original fit and finish.
The bayonet shown is a 5/1900 dated MOLE P1888 MkII - the MkII is a less common P1888 variant with Mole being one of the rarest makers. The bayonet did not come with the rifle but was already in my collection waiting for a rifle to fit it to.
Pics below ... Tiki.
The barrel is 1'26 dated, Lithgow stamped on top of nocks, 5 Lithgow inspection stamps reside on the right side of the barrel and the foresight is stamped with the small Lithgow A within a star. The Lithgow SAF made replacement barrels for Long Lee-Enfields into the 1920's and it is said that it was from this barrel design that the heavy barrel for the No1 MkIII SMLE was inspired. The latter is the profile of the Long Lee barrel shortened by 5 inches.
The dial sight plate ( marked 1600-2800 yards ) is marked III and also is stamped with the small Lithgow A within star. Barrel is in excellent condition for its age, a bright and shiny bore very likely a testament to life as a target rifle.
The butt stock carries a roundel not observed in any works by Skennerton, being a Commercial mark, this is perhaps not unusual. The roundel reads Birmingham Small Arms & Metal Co - with the letters LIMTd within the circle for Limited or Ltd. The broad arrow mark is present on the bolt safety - the fore-end has provision for the clearing rod - no longer present - but the nose cap is a Mk1* that does not have provision for the clearing rod hole. Very likely this was swapped out when the rifle was re-barreled or during its time as a reserve arm.
The volley sights have been removed in a manner consistent with military conversion and I believe this was likely done during its time as a reserve arm also. The magazine retains the chain link and is the 10 round type. The dust cover and magazine cut off are both present, though the piling swivel has been removed, provision for one still remains.
My assessment of this Commercial BSA Lee Speed is that it started out life as a MLM MkII* ( BSA Called it a Long Mk1* ) equivalent, known in the BSA Commercial Catologues as a British Government Pattern and sold as Military Pattern Match Rifles. The rifle saw life as a Military Reserve Club target rifle and underwent a conversion of the volley sights during this time, as it is also without a back sight. The space remains for what would have likely been a BSA No 9 or Mues aperture sight, since removed - I will be procuring one to put the rifle back to last known original fit and finish.
The bayonet shown is a 5/1900 dated MOLE P1888 MkII - the MkII is a less common P1888 variant with Mole being one of the rarest makers. The bayonet did not come with the rifle but was already in my collection waiting for a rifle to fit it to.
Pics below ... Tiki.