Lee Speed

This article is about the early twentieth century British rifle. For other uses, see Enfield rifle (disambiguation).
Lee-Speed
Type Bolt-action rifle
Place of origin United Kingdom
Service history
Wars Boer War, World War I
Production history
Designer James Paris Lee
Manufacturer RSAF Enfield
Birmingham Small Arms Company
Specifications
Length 49.5 in (1,260 mm)
Barrel length 30.2 in (770 mm)

Cartridge .303 British Mk I
Calibre 0.404 in (10.3 mm)
Action Bolt-action
Rate of fire 24 rounds/minute
Muzzle velocity 2,040 ft/s (620 m/s)
Effective firing range ~1 mi (1,800 yd)
Maximum firing range 1 mi (1,800 yd)
Feed system 5 or 10-round magazine
Sights Sliding leaf rear sights, Fixed-post front sights, "Dial" long-range volley sights

The Lee-Speed rifle was a bolt action rifle based on James Paris Lee's rear-locking bolt system and detachable magazine. Early models were fitted with barrels using the radiused rifling designed by William Ellis Metford.[1][2] while later models used the same square "Enfield" rifling as contemporary British military rifles.

The weapon was a sporting variant of the well known Lee–Metford and Lee–Enfield rifles made for civilian shooters, though often purchased by Army officers who wanted a rifle made to a higher standard of fit and finish than the issued military rifle.

Variants

No.1

Officers pattern, with bayonet mount.

No.2

Officers pattern, without bayonet mount.

No.3

Trade pattern.

References

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