New guy with new found

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   Hi all here from NamibiaI recently acquired a very neglected "Long Lee"? or "Lee Speed", in fact the stock is non existent and all metal was badly rusted (as if it was buried for an extensive amount of time)
Nevertheless, I got it nicely cleaned up and everything works smoothly including bolt and magazine.
However, I have NO idea what I have and need help identifying and dating it?
Any help will be appreciated.
I am posting some photos and please assist if I need to look for more markings.
Regards

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Smiddie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 11 2024 Location: Namibia Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Smiddie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: New guy with new found Posted: April 14 2024 at 2:14am
	Hi all here from Namibia I recently acquired a very neglected "Long Lee"? or "Lee Speed", in fact the stock is non existent and all metal was badly rusted (as if it was buried for an extensive amount of time) Nevertheless, I got it nicely cleaned up and everything works smoothly including bolt and magazine. However, I have NO idea what I have and need help identifying and dating it? Any help will be appreciated. I am posting some photos and please assist if I need to look for more markings. Regards

Sapper740 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: July 15 2021 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 1737	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sapper740 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 14 2024 at 3:04pm
	You have a Magazine, Lee Enfield made by BSA before Speed's patents expired hence "Lee-Speed Patent" on the butt socket. It was taken on strength at some time by the Government of South Africa and perhaps carried by the original purchaser who might have been an officer since they had greater lee-way in what they carried. The "Z" on the Knox form indicates it has been damaged or parts are out of spec but can be repaired at the local level without having to go back to a depot. I'm wondering about the .333 stamp above 'Nitro Proof'.....could the rifle be chambered for .333 Jeffrey?

paddyofurniture Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 26 2011 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 7942	Post Options Post Reply Quote paddyofurniture Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 14 2024 at 4:48pm
	Wow!
	Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts.

Smiddie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 11 2024 Location: Namibia Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Smiddie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 14 2024 at 10:41pm
	he!!o Sapper740 Thank you so much for the info, interesting about the .333? I tested a standard .303 British in the front of the barrel and this is what it looks like? I also chambers a .303 British with ease and also ejects it perfectly? these are also some of the issues I found. Regards

shiloh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: January 08 2019 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 3049	Post Options Post Reply Quote shiloh Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 15 2024 at 3:31am
	.333 jeffery was known to be used against German sniper hides during WWI. Unlike the .303 its was capable of piercing the steel plates they hid behind. Be careful, have a gunsmith check for actual caliber as its most likely a .333 Jeffery flanged rifle. As the lee speed was a commercial rifle it could be had in what ever caliber wanted/needed. The Z might be an indicator that it`s not a .303. The bolt head seems to over clock by a fare amount, should be addressed, replace the bold head. and possible/more than likely the striker spring in the bolt. That should bring it back to spec. including the space at the cocking knob. Nice find. Might be a sniping rifle from WWI

Smiddie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 11 2024 Location: Namibia Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Smiddie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 15 2024 at 4:51am
	Thank you for you input Shiloh I will have it checked by a gunsmith ASAP. Regards

Smiddie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 11 2024 Location: Namibia Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Smiddie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 15 2024 at 5:00am
	This is a close up on the caliber above NITRO PROOF. Do you agree that it is in fact .303 and not .333? From far it indeed looks like .333

Zed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 6460	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 15 2024 at 12:21pm
	Welcome to the forum. Definitely a .303 stamp! You've done a good job cleaning the metal. It looks to be in reasonable shape considering the history.
	It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

Smiddie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 11 2024 Location: Namibia Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Smiddie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 16 2024 at 9:40pm
	Thank you Zed and everyone else. Next step would be for a gunsmith giving it a go over and replace the bolthead and striker pin spring. Then Blueing and trying to find an original stock and butt plate Any suggestions for the stock?? Best regards

Smiddie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 11 2024 Location: Namibia Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Smiddie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 16 2024 at 10:45pm
	Good day all Which version of sights is this? And is there supposed to be a spring in there somewhere? And is the knurled knob supposed to rotate? Regards

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 17 2024 at 2:09pm
	Yes the knob is a fine adjustment for range. Coarse adjust is push in the plunger & slide, fine is turning the screw adjuster for (IIRC 10 yd increments). I find it works better when assembled if you push lightly on the plunger then rotate it. It should rotate with very positive click stops.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Smiddie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 11 2024 Location: Namibia Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Smiddie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 18 2024 at 12:57am
	Thank you Shamu There is no spring and the knurled knob is stuck Regards

terrylee Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 30 2014 Location: South Africa Status: Offline Points: 942	Post Options Post Reply Quote terrylee Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: April 18 2024 at 6:26am
	I strongly suspect you have what was officially known in South Africa as a "No 1 Converted" which started off life with us as a commercial Long Lee. Over 30,000 Long Lees were expropriated by the SA Government at the start of the Second World War. Of these 4,250 were converted into a No 1 configuration and then mostly used for training purposes or issue to Volunteer Units. Both British and South African manufactured parts were used. These "SMLEs" are easily recognizable by a lack of charger bridge. Most, but not all, retained their original Long Lee bolts. BSA commercial barrels were commonly purchased by the Union Defense Force. Following the war many of these rifles were sold off to the public. I attach a photo of one of mine.

paddyofurniture Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 26 2011 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 7942	Post Options Post Reply Quote paddyofurniture Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 18 2024 at 8:14am
	Very cool.
	Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts.

Smiddie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 11 2024 Location: Namibia Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Smiddie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 18 2024 at 10:00pm
	Thanks a lot Terrylee. Very interesting and awesome info. Do you think I will be able to get an original stock and whatever is missing your side or here by me? And things like striker pin spring and bolthead? I am trying to run a serial number check, but not sure which was used as a serial number? If at all possible, I would like to restore to original. BTW yours looks great Regards

terrylee Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 30 2014 Location: South Africa Status: Offline Points: 942	Post Options Post Reply Quote terrylee Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 19 2024 at 1:03am
	I have no doubt that you would be able to obtain all the missing parts in South Africa - at some cost which would also include courier service to avoid our collapsing postal system. The viability to restore what would probably be a wall-hanger, only you can decide. I have no idea concerning your local parts availability, but if possible, that would be my first choice. I see no sign of the original serial number - was probably on the original barrel. However, the number stamped onto the butt-socket under "Lee Speed Patent" would serve its legal purpose in South Africa. Was probably added by the UDF for record purposes upon conversion. For your interest I attach a photo of another of these rifles.