My "new" .30-40 Lee-sporting rifle
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 5:17 am
Last week at the MAAC show, I picked up a nice .30-40 caliber rifle for $350.
It is a converted model 1899 Lee Military Model that was altered and restocked.
At first, I thought it was a cut-down Michigan National Guard rifle. (I bought it mainly for parts, the magazine and bolt alone being worth $300).
When I got it home, I found that the receiver never was serial numbered. (???)
(Possibly a gunsmith got the parts from Remington, when they were clearing out discontinued stuff)?
The rifle was ignored by many people at the show. (Some of my friends rolled their eyes, when shown my acquisition).
A very tall Weaver mount holding an ugly Chinese air-rifle scope did the rifle no favor!
The bore was dirty and looked rough. White spacers disfigured the quick-detachable sling studs.
The left-side has plugged holes and the stock notched for a long-gone receiver sight.
Once 'home', the bore cleaned up quite good. When off the rifle, it was obvious the stock and push-button Safety were the work of a skilled gunsmith.
The bolt operates smoothly and headspaces properly.
I put a more contemporary Weaver scope and mount on the rifle for more of a 1930's to 1940's appearance.
A bit of cosmetic work on the left-side should give me a nice period 'Range rifle' in .30-40, with a more robust stock than the Remington original.
The gunsmith, who stocked this rifle and fashioned a safety, IMHO addressed some of the weaknesses in the factory design.
In the last photo, I have paired it with a MNG rifle to show this sporter's original configuration.
It is a converted model 1899 Lee Military Model that was altered and restocked.
At first, I thought it was a cut-down Michigan National Guard rifle. (I bought it mainly for parts, the magazine and bolt alone being worth $300).
When I got it home, I found that the receiver never was serial numbered. (???)
(Possibly a gunsmith got the parts from Remington, when they were clearing out discontinued stuff)?
The rifle was ignored by many people at the show. (Some of my friends rolled their eyes, when shown my acquisition).
A very tall Weaver mount holding an ugly Chinese air-rifle scope did the rifle no favor!
The bore was dirty and looked rough. White spacers disfigured the quick-detachable sling studs.
The left-side has plugged holes and the stock notched for a long-gone receiver sight.
Once 'home', the bore cleaned up quite good. When off the rifle, it was obvious the stock and push-button Safety were the work of a skilled gunsmith.
The bolt operates smoothly and headspaces properly.
I put a more contemporary Weaver scope and mount on the rifle for more of a 1930's to 1940's appearance.
A bit of cosmetic work on the left-side should give me a nice period 'Range rifle' in .30-40, with a more robust stock than the Remington original.
The gunsmith, who stocked this rifle and fashioned a safety, IMHO addressed some of the weaknesses in the factory design.
In the last photo, I have paired it with a MNG rifle to show this sporter's original configuration.