Lee–Speed
Appearance
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Lee–Speed | |
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Type | Bolt-action rifle |
Place of origin | United Kingdom |
Service history | |
Wars | Second Boer War, World War I, World War II |
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 | 0.312 in (7.9 mm) |
Action | Bolt-action |
Rate of fire | 24 rounds/minute |
Muzzle velocity | 2,040 ft/s (620 m/s) |
Effective firing range | ~1 mile (1,800 yd) |
Maximum firing range | 1 mile (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
[edit]No.1
[edit]Officers pattern, with bayonet mount.
No.2
[edit]Officers pattern, without bayonet mount.
No.3
[edit]Trade pattern.