British Lee-Speed Patent Magazine Lee-Metford Rifle Mk I* used by a Boer soldier during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). The right side of the rifle stock is deeply and artistically carved: "J.W. Rossouw/Muscind" with Germanic style letters in two lines. This rifle is illustrated and described on page 67 of "Carvings from the Veldt" by Dave C. George. This book contains descriptions and photographs of many Boer War rifles with elaborately carved stocks. George explains that Lee-Metford and Mauser rifles used or captured by Boer commandos and British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand volunteer soldiers were frequently elaborately carved with individual soldiers' names, unit markings or service histories. These distinctive and historic rifles are a unique feature of the Anglo-Boer War. The description of this rifle states that J.W. Rossouw and "Muscind" could not be identified in historical records but that it is probable that this rifle was confiscated by the Boer South African Republic during the abortive "Jameson Raid" in January 1896 that proceeded the Boer War. The Lee-Metford rifles smuggled into Johannesburg to facilitate an uprising against the South African Republic in conjunction with the Jameson Raid were seized by the Boers and subsequently used against the British in the Boer War. At the end of the war in 1902, captured Boer rifles were popular trophies for the victorious British forces, and rifles with Boer carvings on the stocks were widely distributed throughout the British Empire. Research documents included with the rifle state that there is no specific evidence this rifle was one of the weapons used in the Jameson Raid beyond the fact that it was clearly owned by a Boer soldier at some point and is a commercial Lee-Metford rifle with no crown property marks. The right side of the butt socket is roll-stamped: "LEE-SPEED/PATENTS" in two lines. The serial number is roll-stamped on the upper right side of the receiver, on the rear of the bolt handle and the inside of the rear sight leaf. All of the visible serial numbers match. The rifle has an eight-round detachable magazine with cut-off on the right side of the receiver, folding leaf rear sight graduated to "16" on the leaf and marked "300" and "400" on the left side of the sight base and folding long range sight on the left sight of the base with elevation dial and pointer on the left side of the forearm. The two-piece nose cap has a lug for the Pattern 1888 sword bayonet and double loops for the sling and stacking swivel. The bolt has a sliding dust cover. The Mk I* receiver correctly lacks a safety catch. The two-piece walnut stock and forearm have grasping grooves ahead of the receiver and a steel buttplate with hinged trap. The English walnut stock, forearm and handguard are oil finished. The rifle is fitted with a russet leather sling that appears to be original to the rifle. This is a historic and documented example of a British commercial Lee-Metford MkI* rifle that was used by a Boer citizen-soldier in the Anglo Boer War.

Good. This rifle shows wear expected of a combat-carried firearm. The receiver, barrel, magazine and other steel components retain traces of the original blue finish in protected areas. The balance of the finish shows moderate to heavy service wear and has aged to an attractive plum-colored patina. The buttplate shows considerable wear with large amounts of dark age discoloration. The receiver markings and serial numbers are clear. The stock, forearm and handguard are in good overall condition with numerous minor handling marks. The carving on the right side of the stock is sharp and deep; there are several minor dents in the carving that indicate that the rifle was carved during the actual service life. This is a scarce and well documented example of a combat-used Lee-Metford MKI* rifle from the Anglo-Boer War. Most soldier-carved, Boer-War Mauser and Lee-Metford rifles and carbines are found in Australia, Canada, New Zealand or South Africa - these historic rifles are rarely offered for sale in the United States.