Lee Speed ...
Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Gunsmithing
Forum Description: Submit any how-to's or other gunsmithing suggestions here.
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5648
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 6:21pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Lee Speed ...
Posted By: Nailcreek
Subject: Lee Speed ...
Date Posted: January 05 2013 at 5:51am
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Well I found a decent sporterized 1906 SMLE Mk.I*** without the charger bridge. The finish is pretty good for a 100+ yr old rifle and the rifling still there. Next step is to see if it'll shoot, and if so start the project. I'm going to have the sights pulled and replaced with express sights (if I could find the Lee Speed express leaf/ladder sight, that would be awesome), then restock it with a Boyd's walnut stock with an ebony tip. Any comments on the serial number being struck on the barrel? Should be fun ...      |
Replies:
Posted By: muffett.2008
Date Posted: January 05 2013 at 5:14pm
| S/N looks normal to me. |
Posted By: 303Guy
Date Posted: January 06 2013 at 3:30am
That is a rather scarce SMLE 'prototype'. The other half of the charger bridge was mounted on the bolt head. I see the sliding guide rail is still present on the bolt head on yours. I have one and wanted a scope on it but did not want to alter it in any way so I glued a scope mount base on. Mine has a seriously rust damaged bore but after fire-lapping and custom paper patched bullets, it actually shoots! It won't win any competitions any time soon though.
------------- 303Guy |
Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: January 07 2013 at 4:51am
| it seems to have its original watkins-speed rear sight thats a valuable bit to someone trying to restore one of these , |
Posted By: Bear43
Date Posted: January 07 2013 at 10:23am
| That rear sight is a valuable piece. I paid $60 for the Watkins-Speed sight I picked up for my 1906 BSA/Sparkbrook Mk I***, and that was almost 3 years ago. If you want to know how to tear the sight apart for cleaning then search for topics by me, I did a thread on it quite some time ago. As to the serial number, the original serial was struck and the rifle renumbered when they were refurbed and sold to the Irish. The most common ones are ER and CR prefix rifles. The ER prefix rifles tend to retain Mk I parts while the CR prefix rifles tend to have been upgraded with Mk III parts. Of course many were sported after being sold out of service. Restoring one is quite difficult, as I can attest to. |
Posted By: Nailcreek
Date Posted: January 20 2013 at 5:39am
Well, I've found most of the parts and have started on the Boyd's stock wood. The buttstock bolt was frozen solid into the wood, so I was forced to hack up the buttstock  . Luckily, it wasn't rusted into the receiver. One issue concerns the Boyd's stock - the hole was drilled off-center and not deep enough for the bolt to engage into the receiver. Not sure what I'm going to do here. I have some forstner (sp) bits, but I need to figure out some sort of way to extend the reach. Thoughts or suggestions?
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Posted By: muffett.2008
Date Posted: January 20 2013 at 4:37pm
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We need a big warning sign, in red and flashing.
WARNING ENFIELD PURISTS DO NOT READ. |
Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: January 21 2013 at 12:03am
| i hear ya muffett , i have grown to just see these for what they are , as long as they arent cutting up a stock standard service rifle im not as upset , |
Posted By: Bear43
Date Posted: January 21 2013 at 12:44am
| I agree completely, muffett. Makes ones heart kind of stop a moment. Nailcreek, here's a little trick of the trade. It is common for the butt stock bolt to be siezed. That is why lots of us use screwdrivers with a square shank. You put a small crescent wrench on the shank and it gives you enough extra leverage to loosen the bolt. |
Posted By: sayak
Date Posted: January 21 2013 at 10:14am
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Ditto on the square shank screw driver. I've also use a long drill bit extension with wide flat blade screw driver bit and a vice grip to turn it. I wouldn't be the one to tell you what to do with your rifle, and I'm all for Boyds stocks, but you may want to consider leaving on the sights as they are very effective as is (though maybe not as sexy). ------------- I support hard work, creativity, freedom, responsibility and truth |
Posted By: Nailcreek
Date Posted: February 02 2013 at 11:29pm
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While I really do understand the "WARNING ENFIELD PURISTS DO NOT READ" comment, the rifle was "sporterized" when I purchased it. At present, I've asked the g'smith to check the headspace and test fire it. If it checks out, I do plan on moving forward with the project - but very carefully. For example, the smith asked whether I wanted to grind down the charger rail - to which I said "no". I realize we are just custodians of these items, and who knows ... someone, at some point may wish to try and restore it. Concerning the rear stock removal ... I did try the square shank trick ... and absolutely no-go. I didn't feel that bad about taking it off as I did, as it had already been sanded and re-finished. Had the rifle been complete, I wouldn't have considered the Lee Speed build.
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Posted By: Nailcreek
Date Posted: February 22 2013 at 10:05pm
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Interestingly enough, I was able to find a Lee Metford BSA Sporter, which will be made into a Lee Speed Sporter ... so, no harm, no foul with the SMLE Mk.I***. Once I get the SMLE back, I will be putting it up for sale. I'm not interested in restoring it, and I will use the dollars to throw at the BSA :) I'll put together a WTS listing in a week or so.
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