Date of commercial BSA Lee Enfield.

[Thunderbox]

Why do they have to be re-proofed Thunderbox? Is it something to do with re-importation or.........

In their original form, the rifles do not have a proof mark on the bolthead (just an inspection mark and - sometimes - a very faint crossed pennant), and the bolt-body only bears the military "BM" underneath the bolt knob. As the Proof Notes issues by the proof houses are vague and ambiguous over what exactly constitutes valid civilian proof, most importers, auctioneers and dealers err on the side of caution and have the rifles re-proofed so that a recognisable "BNP"/"CP" appears on each component.

[Ridolpho]

Attachment 30655Attachment 30654jc5 and others. Finally took a couple of shots of the markings under the barrel knox-form. I now fully appreciate the beautiful closeups I see on the forum- it's tough! The two photos show the crossed-sceptres and #23 immediately adjoining the reciever as well as the crenulaed triangular marking (with #6 on top).

[Jc5]

Ridolpho,
Thanks for the close-ups. But can you please snap some photos from just a bit farther away? Your extreme close-ups shows the markings in excellent detail, but they are so close that I cannot tell exactly where on the barrel they are, or how the two photos are related to each other.

Thanks!

[Alan de Enfield]

A bit more info on proof marks (including the military BM mark)

Firearm Proof Marks, Arsenal & Inspector Marks

[Thunderbox]

A bit more info on proof marks (including the military BM mark)

Firearm Proof Marks, Arsenal & Inspector Marks

Even that source does not appear to be precisely accurate. E.g.:

- "BM" was obviously used on the barrel, receiver, bolt and quite often the bolt-head.

- "Crown over R" is likewise clearly not only related to a "black powder to nitro" reproof. It appears on many BSA commercial rifles and appears to indicate a double proof at the time of manufacture - ie civilian marks applied in addition to military proof.

[Beerhunter]

Firearm Proof Marks, Arsenal & Inspector Marks

That chart has been "lifted" from the standard work by Wirnsberger but lacks the text that goes with it.

The two BM marks (I have never seen the Gunmakers mark on a firearm) were introduced in 1916 for all military arms up to and including .315 and modified to include all calibres of firearms for military use in 1925.

It is my opinion that any firearm bearing either of the BMs is "in Proof" because it has been proofed by one of the two Statutory Proof Houses - which is all that is required in law. The Proof of non-military firearms would have been exactly the same but they would have been marked differently. However as Thunderbox says, some dealers are wary that they may have to test that in court and so you will see rifles that have been "double proofed".

[Ridolpho]

jc5: Will upload another photo that shows where these marks are but may have to wait until weekend. If you look at the two on the previous post, the photo on the right shows the edge of the reciever at the extreme right side so left is toward the muzzle. At approx. 7 o-clock you can see the triangualr shape that is detailed in the other photo. On that photo the #6 is toward the reciever. Also, both photos are of the bottom side of the barrel. Thanks,

Ridolpho

[Jc5]

That chart has been "lifted" from the standard work by Wirnsberger but lacks the text that goes with it.

I just love how easily some people just "lift" the hard work of others and then pass it off as their own on the web. Whoever runs that site should be ashamed. I love how they had the nerve to "copyright" the page at the bottom.

[Ridolpho]

Attachment 30892Attachment 30893Attachment 30894Attachment 30895Attachment 30896Attachment 30897

[Tbolt]

Thanks for all the info in this thread guys.
It has helped me figure out that the #1MkIII receiver that I just picked up is most likely a commercial BSA.
The question remains as to when it was made as there are very few markings on it.