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Lee-Speed or Frankenrifle?

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SteelFlint View Drop Down
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    Posted: November 04 2018 at 2:41pm
Hey Everyone!

Newbie to Enfield rifles!  I came across what I think is a possible BSA/LSA commercial Lee but not certain.  Have no papers nor known provenance - and, in breaking my own rules - the rifle while in shooting condition (bright bore clean with possible Metford rifling or just really worn one or the other lol) has no serial numbers of any kind that I can tell.  It does have "S" and "A" punched on several components, plus this interesting engraving on the wrist that I've never seen before:


And on the trigger guard:


Does anyone recognize?  The bolt assembly does have a rough crowns over E's, but no other crowns/crosses/inspector marks anywhere else on the rifle; these appear to be RSAF proofing what I can tell, but I'm told bolt change outs are not uncommon (not 100% but don't think original Lee Speeds had ball/sphere bolt handles).  Will send more pics of the guts when I can.

All help appreciated!  

Cheers

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englishman_ca View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote englishman_ca Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2018 at 9:07am
,Itsa bitza.

It has an Enfield made receiver that is EFD marked under the wood line mounted with a Lee Speed barrel and wood set.

The wrist has been scrubbed of the martial markings and engraving applied.

In every way a very nice rifle, but not an original factory build. But it is still a classic and is a great hunting rifle.

Metford rifling has seven grooves, Enfield has five, if that helps.
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SteelFlint View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SteelFlint Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2018 at 9:54am
Thanks Englishman!!  Damn, I was really really hoping this was some cool edition that came out of the Canadian Small Arms Ltd. made for some wealthy dude who wanted everything customized and hence the lack of markings.  But then the chronology would be wrong I suppose.

Accepting that she's a Frankenrifle - all good.  What do you guys think consensus valuation is for something like this (in Canadian dollars)?

I will have more questions to ask for sure!  Thanks again.
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englishman_ca View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote englishman_ca Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2018 at 11:00am
It could well have been made for some wealthy dude. My comments were not meant to denigrate the rifle. It is a beauty!

It was quite common for high end sporting rifles to be built up on a receiver for a customer by some pretty high end English gun makers.

Just that in this case, the rifle has a reworked ex-military receiver.

It would be interesting if one could find out as to when this one was built, who put it together and for whom?

Value? It should be up there with other unmarked 'Lee Speed' style Lees. This is a well built rifle by somebody who knew what they were doing. 

As it lacks any civilian proofs, it would suggest it was not built and sold in the UK.
















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Canuck View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Canuck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2018 at 12:13pm
Welcome to the site from here in Agassiz, BC.
Castles made of sand slip into the sea.....eventually
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SteelFlint View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SteelFlint Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2018 at 1:56pm
Thanks gents!

I seem to recall some old movie whereby buddy had a special power to tell the history of any inanimate object by merely touching it.  This ranks highly on my list of preferred superhero abilities ha.

Let me tear it down more fully this weekend, will forward more pics and look to the power of the internet for the story I'm after, whatever ending it may take lol.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SteelFlint Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2018 at 2:00pm
BTW not feeling denigrated at all, she feels very "gentleman rifle" to me irrespective of provenance. And the weekend "Ghost and the Darkness" movie night totally helped of course! 

Was just hoping someone would jump up and say "hey! That is the Royal Marque of...x".  Ha.  Maybe I'll find a proper Picasso at the next garage sale/gun show!

Cheers.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Honkytonk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2018 at 2:24pm
Welcome from Brandon, Manitoba, Canada!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote 42rocker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2018 at 4:07pm
Welcome and it's a very interesting piece. Enjoy 
 
Later 42rocker
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pukka Bundook Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2018 at 7:10pm
Some overall photos would be appreciated, Steelflint!
 
Welcome from Mid west Alberta!
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SteelFlint View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SteelFlint Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2018 at 7:22pm
Wow nice seems like we have a lot of fellow Canucks on this board!  Thanks for the warm welcome guys!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SteelFlint Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 06 2018 at 11:13pm
Hey guys thanks for the welcomes, I've copied this thread over to the main Enfield thread under "Unmarked Lee Speed".  Thanks for all help to date!

Cheers!!
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