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Identify unusual Lee rifle |
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Mcerasmus7 
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Joined: September 09 2020 Location: South Africa Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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 Topic: Identify unusual Lee riflePosted: September 09 2020 at 7:33am |
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We have an old Lee rifle in our family which I am struggling to identify the model of. It does not have the normal markings that I see on all of the other Lee enfields on the internet. The closest i could find is a Lee speed rifle but it is still quite different. Attached is photos of my Lee rifle. Can anyone maybe identify the model? Thanks
     
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Stumpkiller
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Joined: April 03 2020 Location: Port Crane, NY Status: Offline Points: 170 |
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Posted: September 09 2020 at 11:11am |
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Nice! I don't believe it's a Parker-Hale sporterized model. I don't believe they stippled grips and the rakish butt of the pistol grip isn't their style. But whoever did the initial work it appears to be very well done. The express (iron) sight is impressive. I'm also fairly certain the scope mount was a later addition. As far as source model SMLE I'd guess (stress guess) a No. 1 Mk III (?) Here's an earlier thread: |
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Charlie P.
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Mcerasmus7
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Posted: September 09 2020 at 11:35am |
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Does al al of the No1 Mk3 have a bridge over the receiver? Because this dies not have a bridge. And the type of safety of this rifle let me to believe that it is maybe older that the No Mk3? Like you pointed out, the scope mounts are an addition my grand father unfortunately added. The scock i believe is original except for the wood work on the pistol grip that was added or altered when the stock was restored. I will add another few photos of the stock. The five round magazine also suggests that it was not for military purposes maybe?
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The Armourer
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Joined: June 23 2019 Location: Y Felinhelli Status: Offline Points: 897 |
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Posted: September 09 2020 at 11:46am |
It is based on an old "Long Lee" which predates the No1 Mk3 by some time. It has the safety built into the rear of the bolt, and the rear sights are very different to the No1 Mk3 The work looks to be very well done and I'd think it is a proper gunsmith conversion rather than a DIY conversion. It would not have had a scope mount originally.
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Zed
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Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 3965 |
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Posted: September 09 2020 at 11:56am |
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welcome to the forum. I believe it's older than a No1MkIII SMLE. The safety on the bolt and lack of charger bridge points more to an early Long Lee Enfield Mk1 era rifleIt looks very much like the Lee Speed as well. Especially the magazine. The engraving etc could point to a commercial rifle. The barrel however appears to have the military arrow stamped on it. I'm not an expert on these earlier models; I'm just going by what I see in Skennerton's "The Lee Enfield" bible. We do have very knowledgeable friends here; who will surely be along soon and give you the exact details. A shame about the scope fitted; but it remains a very lovely sporter. Definitely one to cherish if it has family history! Looks like Armourer beat me to it!
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Shamu
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Posted: September 09 2020 at 1:26pm |
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I'm curious what was blacked out (with orange) on the knox form (barrel flat at the breech)? I'm not an expert in these early guns but I think I see the bolt head has the attachments for the "other half" of the charger loading system, like this one from a different angle. Ignore the sheet metal its just an add on bolt cover that can be removed. This is a "Long Lee", which is why you're not finding it under "Short" Lees. This is from the BSA catalog of some time in the 1920's, take a good look at the 3rd one down (the No3 Pattern)  |
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Mcerasmus7
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Posted: September 10 2020 at 3:20am |
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Thanks for the reply, a long lee makes sense. I have just covered up the serial number to which the rifle is licensed to with the orange.
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Stumpkiller wrote: