Lee Speed/Metford Top (Dust) Cover source?

[1903Collector]

Anyone know of a source for a Lee Speed/Metford rifle top (dust) cover?

Information

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[BVZ24]

There was just a complete bolt with one on eBay.
Can't find it again. I was going to bid on it but didn't. I must not have clicked the link.

Try royal tiger. They have a bunch of bottom of the barrel Metfords and Speeds. I wonder if they have the dust covers.

[1903Collector]

LOL, I just bought one from RTI and none of them have the dust cover. They had a flash sale of $200 off down from $999. I thought that was a decent price since they all come with volley sights and mag cut off. I am uncertain whether a cleaning rod or sling swivels are included. Im not even sure there is a cleaning rod on the Lee Speed/Metford rifle, but I thought I saw at least one pic of one.
So now the search begins! :-)

[smle addict]

Try contacting this fellow in NZ:

(From the WTB/WTS forum)

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=76866

He has a few MLM/MLE parts, and is pleasant to do business with

[bros]

I might be able to help with a contact in Canada...PM if you want me to look into it

[BVZ24]

Beware on that RTI. I bought one before they raised the price to current, just so I could get an example of a long lee. If you haven't received it yet, you are in for a greasy mess. Mine was mostly complete. BSA speed. No provision for clearing rod. My bolt has the notches for the dust cover, but it was not included. You should make sure yours is safe. Mine was not in Good/Very good condition, close to poor/parts. Bore is bad, no blue. Mine is downright unsafe. It was used for drills so much that the locking lugs on the bolt and receiver is ground uneven. I can send a picture if you want.
IMO not worth getting the dust cover for.

[waco16]

Try contacting this fellow in NZ:

(From the WTB/WTS forum)

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=76866

He has a few MLM/MLE parts, and is pleasant to do business with

I can confirm that - real plesure to deal with

[1903Collector]

Beware on that RTI. I bought one before they raised the price to current, just so I could get an example of a long lee. If you haven't received it yet, you are in for a greasy mess. Mine was mostly complete. BSA speed. No provision for clearing rod. My bolt has the notches for the dust cover, but it was not included. You should make sure yours is safe. Mine was not in Good/Very good condition, close to poor/parts. Bore is bad, no blue. Mine is downright unsafe. It was used for drills so much that the locking lugs on the bolt and receiver is ground uneven. I can send a picture if you want.
IMO not worth getting the dust cover for.

Ive bought many rifles from RTI and for the most part they have performed well enough (there have been exceptions, but they were resolved. They rate these latest Lee Speeds at fair to good and clearly state no dust cover. Looking at the condition of the examples in the pics Id rt them as poor to fair...but I like restoration. However the pics do show some differences (clean rod, no clean rod, swivels, no swivels), so we shall see. In any case I do not intend to shoot a 120+ year old relic. It is for a 103 rifle SA Wat to Cold War display at the Texas Veterans Hall of Fame Museum in Denton, TX to complete the WWI Brit section. As such investment in a dust cover, if one even exists, adds value to the rifle for display at a minimum, so the worth is best determined by the need and intended use. Surely you didnt expect to take yours out into the field and be ready for a fire fight! ;-)

I do have a bore erosion gage and headspace gage for the .303 Brit, so I will be curious to learn the actual condition of this rifle. However, knowing where these rifles come from my expectations are informed and realistic.

As to the cleaning rod, it is my understanding that there were variants with and without bayonet lugs. It is my guess that only the variant with the bayonet lug provides for cleaning rod, but thats just a guess. Does yours have the bayo lug?

In any case Im sure we would all like to see pics of yours. Please post.

[BVZ24]

It's worth noting, that in these pictures, there are some pieces missing.

The barreled action is at a barrel maker, for a reason that some of you Enfield restorers might be overjoyed to hear. I'll keep you updated.


IMG-20220915-170008-HDR — ImgBB
IMG-20220915-170022-HDR — ImgBB
IMG-20220915-170034-HDR — ImgBB

Mine has the 1897 pattern nose cap with a lug but no hole for the rod.

https://ibb.co/ZGJz6Jd

[waco16]

Ive bought many rifles from RTI and for the most part they have performed well enough (there have been exceptions, but they were resolved. They rate these latest Lee Speeds at fair to good and clearly state no dust cover. Looking at the condition of the examples in the pics Id rt them as poor to fair...but I like restoration. However the pics do show some differences (clean rod, no clean rod, swivels, no swivels), so we shall see. In any case I do not intend to shoot a 120+ year old relic. It is for a 103 rifle SA Wat to Cold War display at the Texas Veterans Hall of Fame Museum in Denton, TX to complete the WWI Brit section. As such investment in a dust cover, if one even exists, adds value to the rifle for display at a minimum, so the worth is best determined by the need and intended use. Surely you didnt expect to take yours out into the field and be ready for a fire fight! ;-)

I do have a bore erosion gage and headspace gage for the .303 Brit, so I will be curious to learn the actual condition of this rifle. However, knowing where these rifles come from my expectations are informed and realistic.

As to the cleaning rod, it is my understanding that there were variants with and without bayonet lugs. It is my guess that only the variant with the bayonet lug provides for cleaning rod, but thats just a guess. Does yours have the bayo lug?

In any case Im sure we would all like to see pics of yours. Please post.

All long rifles had the bayonet lug - the clearing rods were abolished circa 1899