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Thread: A Unicorn - BSA Co Lee-Speed No. 2 Officer's Carbine

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    Contributing Member NORTHOF60's Avatar
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    A Unicorn - BSA Co Lee-Speed No. 2 Officer's Carbine

    I was researching a Winchester Model 95 in .303 Britishicon when I found this gem for sale:

    BSA Co Lee-Speed No. 2 Officer's Carbine - wasn't on my bucket list, or even on the radar ...

    Not perfect, but still a heart-stopper. It wasn't listed as sold, but unavailable - quantity zero (0). I couldn't determine its status. When I was finally able to get hold of the owner, he told me it had been sold.

    Missed it by that much ....
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    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Too bad, that would have been a neat little carbine...very scarce.
    Regards, Jim

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    Contributing Member NORTHOF60's Avatar
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    Tabernac - close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

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    Interesting the No1 looks extremely like a lee Medford carbine I have, shoots beautifully out to 400. It has no military or service markings though. Do you know what rifling these in the pamphlet had?

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    Contributing Member NORTHOF60's Avatar
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    The knox form of the item under discussion is stamped "Nitro Proof" as well as "E" for Enfield rifling.

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    I find THE U.K. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE - MINIATURE CALIBRE RIFLES REFERENCE FACILITY
    site invaluable. Check out the 1908 "BSA Catalogue of Military, Target, and Sporting Rifles".

    BSA small-bore target rifles, sights and accesories

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    Quote Originally Posted by NORTHOF60 View Post
    The knox form of the item under discussion is stamped "Nitro Proof" as well as "E" for Enfield rifling.
    Why do you think the "E" (in a circle) on this carbine means Enfield rifling? I'm sure the rifling is 5-groove Enfield, but I don't think the "E" stamp has anything to do with it.
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    Researching Lee Speeds and all commercial Lee Enfields. If you have data to share or questions, please send me a PM.

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    Its an extrapolation.

    According to the BSA 1909 catalogue: Lee-Enfield Magazine Military Carbines - "these rifles are not strictly of Service Pattern, and therefore cannot be supplied Government viewed". This rifle could be order with either Metford or Enfield rifling. I've only noticed the "circle E" on BSA Lee-Enfield Magazine Military Carbines. I have not seen the mark present on the BSA Lee-Enfield Magazine Sporting Rifles, which could also be ordered with Metford rifling.

    I take no ownership over the issue, and would happily defer to and expert who can prove otherwise.

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    There’s no proof either way, just observations. The encircled E is something I’ve seen on commercial examples—on carbines as well as sporting rifles, some with Metford rifling, and it is quite different from the seriph E that appears on the center-top of the knox form of government service rifles with Enfield rifling. On commercial rifles, the encircled E nearly always appears near an similarly encircled letter V, somewhere on the knox. There is no corresponding encircled M (for Metford), though an encircled N is sometimes seen.

    Meaning is unknown and every theory I’ve had over the years has been struck down by new evidence. I wish I knew the meaning, but anyone who knew it must be long dead.
    Last edited by Jc5; 11-08-2019 at 11:52 AM.

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