BSA L.E. No.2 Patt. Sporting Rifle

joseyclosey · Post by **joseyclosey** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 1:45 pm

I was inspired by awo 425s post to put up some pics of my Sporter, here they are...

A sporting rifle for big game was introduced in 1911, called the Lee Enfield No.2 Patt. Sporting Rifle, this was produced in .303 and .375 calibres.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... fle006.jpg[/pic]

Multi leaf rearsight...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... fle009.jpg[/pic]

Bead foresight..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... fle010.jpg[/pic]

10 round mag, bolt dust cover..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... fle007.jpg[/pic]

Unfortunately the bolt has been replaced, it should have a spoon handle and rear safety switch....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... fle008.jpg[/pic]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... fle011.jpg[/pic]

Nice wood...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... fle013.jpg[/pic]

Even the butt trap is decorated..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... fle012.jpg[/pic]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... fle017.jpg[/pic]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... fle016.jpg[/pic]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... fle015.jpg[/pic]

I normally only collect military rifles but these old sporters are so lovely i could not resist buying this one, even more so as it was once part of Jim Sunters collection. ( he sadly passed away almost one year ago)

Next weekend this rifle will be going to the range with me (Peatfell) so i shall be reloading some rounds for it as it only likes a diet of flat base bullets.

Joe

Aughnanure · Post by **Aughnanure** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:12 pm

Colour me Green

Looks to me that your bolt is appropriate, most early sporters that I've seen have the bolt without safety and yours was originally a sporting rifle hence no provision for long range sights on the left of the body.

Here's my sporter which is a straight conversion of the military.

But 'one day' it's going to look more like the real thing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/ ... C00191.jpg[/pic][/pic]

Thought that I hada full view, will take one later.

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:00 pm

Bloody Hell Joe,

I see your Martini and spend the next 18 months looking for one.

Now you show me this !!!!!

Here we go again

I'll have the same shade of green as Eoin.

Aughnanure · Post by **Aughnanure** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 9:16 pm

Here's a full view, it was originally a MLE Mk I*

Chap that I got it off had a new Indian barrel fitted and then never used it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/ ... en1105.jpg[/pic][/pic]

stripperclip · Post by **stripperclip** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:15 pm

very nice sporters and Ireally like that one Joe.

Rowdy · Post by **Rowdy** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 1:59 am

A very nice example of a BSA sporter - I would say the bolt is correct as that is how the early ones were and at a guess it is pre 1900 - certainly no later than 03 as it still has the patent acknowledgments.

Aughnanure · Post by **Aughnanure** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 6:25 am

Joe,

Just a thought but is the bolt numbered to the rifle?

joseyclosey · Post by **joseyclosey** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 1:11 pm

No Eoin, different numbers.

According to John Knibbs book "The Golden Century"...

"A rifle for Big Game was introduced in 1911 called the Lee Enfield Sporting Rifle No.2 Pattern. Based on the Lee Enfield Mark 1* action, the rifle had a pistol grip sporting style stock with a thumb operated, shotgun style, safety catch on top of the wrist of the stock.

The stock and forend were chequered and the fore end was fitted with a rose-wood tip. The rifle had a multi-leaf folding rearsight and bead foresight. Sling eyes were fitted to the stock and barrel. The rifle had a detachable 10 shot magazine with cut-off and was produced in .303 .315 and .375 calibre.

A cheaper version of this rifle in .303 and .315 was built using unmodified Lee Enfield Mark 1* actions with cocking piece safety, military issue stocks and plain sporting fore ends made by sporterizing military handguards. A five shot magazine was fitted. This model was advertised as the No.4 Sporting Carbine."

My rifle has no safety catch on the stock wrist and looks like it never had provision for one. It also has a low serial number of 5** stamped on the rear of the receiver under the bolt. The bolt is numbered 3**.

I had it to the range today and its a sweet little shooter at 200m, although i do find the sights quite difficult to use.

Joe

dhtaxi · Post by **dhtaxi** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 6:59 pm

Difficult to use they maybe Joe but don't do yourself

down. I was there wish I could shoot as well with open sights. What a grand day it was for a change.

Stunning views should of had a camera.

Rowdy · Post by **Rowdy** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:14 am

Looking up some references - namely a series of articles by Ray McMahon in Caps and Flints - The No. 2 rifle was offered in about June 1896 along with the bolt safety (only as an option though).

The carbines were not produced until 1897 so I would not expect that the 5 round mags, tang safety and flattened bolt were available until then - so I think your bolt is the correct commercial one even if not original.

BSA & M Co changed their marking to BSA Co in Oct 1897 so that makes your rifle an 1896/7 model.

I would be interested to know if your rifle has either of the following markings - "for cordite only" on the receiver or "38gr Rifleite" beside the rear sight.

Thank you - Andrew