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Volunteer "Lee Enfield " trainer
From what I have been able to find out so far is this Lee Speed Patents B.S.A & M.Co produced rifle probably started life as a .297 / 230 Morris training rifle, similar to the one show on page 480 of "The Lee Enfield".
Being a Lee Speed it was obviously made for the civilian market probably around the turn of the century.
It now has a solid .22 barrel as would have been fitted to the SMLE No2 rifle, it has no obvious military marks so it would appear that it was modified by a gunsmith. The bolt, which doesn't have a matching number has a very feint broad arrow mark and there are numerous other marks in various places but nothing to indicate that it was ever in service use.
It is quite possible that it is unique as by the time the current barrel became available this rifle should have long disappeared.
An interesting little conversion with no great collector value but once again you should never say never when it comes to Enfield collecting.
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The Following 9 Members Say Thank You to Buccaneer For This Useful Post:
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05-13-2020 12:12 PM
# ADS
Friends and Sponsors
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Legacy Member
proved for .22 Long - and much more recently for 22 LR.
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Legacy Member
Definitely an interesting little rifle. Certainly reminiscent of the "Club Pattern" Long Lees. Thanks for sharing!
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Legacy Member
nice
i have one of those side plates laying around
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Legacy Member
hmm is that a centerfire cartride? almost looks like it from the pictures.
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Yep, 297/230 is centre fire. All of the ones I've seen were black powder loaded. I don't know if they all were. I think I may have a .230 sleeve somewhere......
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Legacy Member
the ultimate quest for a reloadable 22 rimfire, solved over a century ago. To think people still spend thousands trying to squeeze modern rifle cases into something that was created in 1883
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Advisory Panel
The transverse hole through the front sight base indicates that it had a front sight protective ear at one time. These were often seen on early version .22 rf conversions. This type of rifle is not seen all that often in the US and years ago were totally ignored by collectors. A very nice rifle.
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How about a couple of photo's of the bolt head with the bolt removed from the rifle.
Thanks,
Warren
looks like no war and peace this year...bummer.
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Originally Posted by
Warren
How about a couple of photo's of the bolt head with the bolt removed from the rifle.
Pictures as requested.
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PM
