Lee Metford-lee Speed with Bore war history?

[RobD]

I think there are a few potential reasons to be slightly sceptical that this rifle came from Paardeberg.
- I would not expect Boers to be carrying .303s in Feb 1900. At this stage of the South African War, the Boers were well equipped with Mausers and Mauser ammunition, and their back-ups were abundant Guedes and Martinis. The switch to carrying .303s came after the capitals had fallen and Boer ammunition wagons were scarce.
- Boer-associated Lee Speeds are unusual [with the exception of the Jameson Raid rifles, which as I mentioned have serial nos. in the 1000 - 2000 range], one would have to come up with a plausible reason how a Boer came to carry one. Boer-captured-recaptured MLMs and MLEs are not unusual.
- The condition of the Lee Speed shown is absolutely beautiful - better than one would expect with that story.
- The tag and its string don't look especially old, though a close up would be useful.
- Paardeberg Drift was the site of the Canadian camp - the Boer lager was 5 miles away from the drift, known simply as Paardeberg.

For interest I attach a picture of the Boer lager to give an idea of the conditions. I have arrowed some spent RFA 15 pr shells.
I also attach 2 pictures of piles of Boer rifles captured at Paardeberg.

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