Guns International #: 103555198

Category - Gun Sights - Metallic - Collectibles - African and Safari

Category
Gun Sights - Metallic
Collectibles - African and Safari

Lee Speed Express Sight

Description:
The express sight on a Lee Speed rifle is a hallmark of its commercial sporting heritage, designed for rapid target acquisition in hunting scenarios rather than the methodical long-range fire of its military counterparts. These sights typically replaced the standard military ladder or volley sights with a more streamlined, "civilianized" configuration. 

Key Features of Lee Speed Express Sights

• Leaf Configuration: High-end sporting models often featured a "one standing, two folding" leaf system. The standing leaf was typically zeroed for 100 yards, while the additional folding leaves were regulated for 200 and 300 yards.
• Platinum Sight Lines: To enhance visibility in low light, some premium variants (such as those finished by Army and Navy) featured platinum vertical lines inlaid into the rear leaves.
• Wide "V" Notch: Unlike the narrow military apertures, express sights utilized a wide "V" or shallow "U" notch to allow the shooter to quickly "pick up" the front bead, essential for dangerous game or moving targets.
• Hybrid Ladder Sights: Many Lee Speeds combined these express leaves with a folding ladder sight for precise shooting out to 1,000 yards.
• Front Sight Variety: These were often paired with a beaded blade front sight, sometimes featuring a folding "ivory" or "night" bead for visibility in varying conditions. 
   

Purpose and History
The Lee Speed was the commercial version of the Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield service rifles, manufactured by companies like BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) and LSA (London Small Arms). While military rifles used volley sights for massed fire up to 3,000 yards, the "Speed" sporters were favored by British officers and big-game hunters in Africa and India who required the faster, more intuitive express sight system. 
SHIPPING $8

 

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