BSA Lee Speed Carbine .303 British 21.25″ Bolt Action Rifle, 1914-1930s C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,775.00
LSB: LSB260610KN002
Make: Birmingham Small Arms Company (B.S.A. Co.)
Model: Lee Speed Carbine
Serial Number: 19895
Year of Manufacture: 1914-1930s / ATF Classification: C&R
Caliber/Gauge: .303 British
Action Type: Bolt action, controlled round feed
Barrel Length: 21.25″, (barrel is faintly marked “Proved and Sighted for the Mark VII .303 High Velocity Cartridge”)
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into a base with a matted face, banded around the barrel. The rear sight is a set of three v-notch sights marked 100, 200, and 300 with a ladder sight marked 4 through 10. Note that there is light damage to the rear sight.
Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture is two-piece checkered wood with a semi-pistol grip, straight comb, serrated metal buttplate, and an unmarked initial plate in the belly. The LOP measures 14.25″ from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The buttplate shows patina and moderate handling wear. The buttplate storage compartment is empty. The wood shows scattered pressure dings, drag lines and scratches. There is a faint crack running from the brass pin above the trigger guard on the right side of the rifle. The furniture rates in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished (a long time ago)
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling has light wear. There is mild erosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This firearm retains about 70% of its metal finish. The metal shows edge wear, thinning in various places, and occasional scratches. There is fairly light operational wear visible. The markings are mostly clear and complete. Overall, this firearm rates in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: Note that the magazine included is a 10rd Enfield pattern. The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: 10rd Enfield pattern magazine
Our Assessment: The Birmingham Small Arms Company Lee Speed was one of the finest commercial sporting adaptations of the Lee-Enfield action, combining the proven reliability of the military rifle with improved sporting features for hunters and shooters. Introduced in the early 20th century, the Lee Speed was offered in a variety of configurations ranging from full-length sporting rifles to shorter carbine-style rifles like this example. The .303 British cartridge made the Lee Speed particularly attractive throughout the British Empire, offering a proven military cartridge with excellent hunting capability. This example, serial number 19895, features the desirable express-style rear sight arrangement, sporting stock, and a barrel marked as approved for the Mk VII High Velocity .303 cartridge.
This rifle retains about 70% of its refinished blued finish, with edge wear, thinning in various areas, and occasional scratches. The one-piece checkered wood stock remains in Very Good condition with scattered pressure dings, drag lines, and scratches, along with a faint crack extending from the brass pin above the trigger guard on the right side. The serrated metal buttplate shows patina and moderate handling wear, and the storage compartment is empty. The bore is semi-bright with light rifling wear and mild erosion throughout, rating 7/10. The rear sight shows light damage, the 10-round Enfield-pattern magazine is included, and the action functions correctly. Overall, this BSA Lee Speed rates in Very Good condition as a C&R sporting rifle. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
-CR