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	0.312 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 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

References