Bucket list gun acquired, Lee Speed. An interesting one

[Romeo458]

It's had to have been reblued. Which is probably why the price wasn't bad, but the typical leaf rear sight isn't on there. Its got an aperture sight that folds out and up. I'm not sure if they hot blued and the solder on the rear let go, but there's no sign of ever having a rear sight on the barrel.

The engraving on the top cover is also something I've not seen on one before. It says "W.J. Jeffrey & co 13.King Street St. James London SW" I've seen one other dust cover so far and the writing was stamped, this isn't as neatly done. The forearm is also lesser quality than the rear, but has the brass dowel like the other I've seen and the narrow taper to the front.

I also just noticed the barrel is Hella long compared to my other Lee. I can't find a tape but it's close to 28 inches by the looks of it.

Either way I'm happy, I've wanted one since I was a kid. Here's some pics. I'm still wondering, the F did I find?

 

[B'N'F]

Beautiful rifle! WJ Jeffery has been reincarnated, as far as I know they don't have all the records, but it might be worth contacting them to see if they have any information available in their ledgers.

I believe Holland and Holland retailed 'Lee Speed' rifles for a time as well, between the wars.

Here's a link to a site with some interesting info the Lee Speed rifles overall - https://www.rifleman.org.uk/Lee-Speed.html

Here's a link to the Vintage Gun Journal, they've got great articles across the board, but this one pertains to the Lee Speed 'sporter' rifles. https://www.vintageguns.co.uk/magazine/lee-speed

Enjoy it!

 

[enichols]

@sirhrmechanic
This seems like something he'd be into.
Very cool rifle, thanks for sharing.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Oh hell Yes!!!!

Jeffery is one of the great names, too!!!

Wow! So gorgeous!!!

What you found was a Lee Speed retailed by one of the great London Best gunmakers. Probably for Africa or India.

I believe the Jeffery records are available. Definitely contact them.

Total gem right there!!! Now get yourself a nice Webley and book a tiger hunt! Well, not a tiger. A nice Ibex or something!!!

Sirhr

 

[Romeo458]

Oh hell Yes!!!!

Jeffery is one of the great names, too!!!

Wow! So gorgeous!!!

What you found was a Lee Speed retailed by one of the great London Best gunmakers. Probably for Africa or India.

I believe the Jeffery records are available. Definitely contact them.

Total gem right there!!! Now get yourself a nice Webley and book a tiger hunt! Well, not a tiger. A nice Ibex or something!!!

Sirhr

I was a hares breath from getting a snub nosed Webley at the last gun show

 

[Potsy]

Around 30 years ago, there was a high end gun show at Opryland Hotel. I went simply to drool. Lots of beautiful pieces there. Lots of doubles of every make and vintage, Colts, Winchesters, H&H, Rigby, you name it. Guns were cheaper then, and I was making $6.00 an hour….
There was actually a Lee-Speed sporter there. I believe it was a Westley Richards. This was about the time “Ghost in the Darkness” was out and it looked just like the one Val Kilmer toted. I wanted it bad. I could have kinda afforded it; meaning I could have wrote a check, and borrowed gas money to get home from my girlfriend.

Shoulda bought the damn thing…..

 

[Gunny89]

Wow, what a find! The unique engraving, folded aperture sight, and extra long barrel really make it stand out. Thanks for sharing!

 

[sgtsmmiii]

Super cool rifle. If it was re-blued at some point - they did a great job not over polishing the metal - the lettering/engraving is still very crisp. However, it does appear that the fore end has been replaced at some point in its lifetime. Super high end old school custom. You dun good.