Date of commercial BSA Lee Enfield.

[Jc5]

Ridolpho, thanks for the additional photos. Can you please post one of the left side of the action? Something looks unusual about the safety lever. Also, maybe a photo of the front of the action similar to the pics that Thunderbox posted earlier?


Tbolt, we'd love to help date your commercial BSA, but it might be less confusing if you started a new thread and put up a some photos. I think it's hard to nail down one owner's rifle if other people start posting pics of their rifles in the thread. We can try to date it from proof marks and comparison to other rifles.

[Tbolt]

Tbolt, we'd love to help date your commercial BSA, but it might be less confusing if you started a new thread and put up a some photos. I think it's hard to nail down one owner's rifle if other people start posting pics of their rifles in the thread. We can try to date it from proof marks and comparison to other rifles.

Roger that, will take photos, and start new thread when I get home from work this afternoon.

[paulpanagi]

Hi Ridolpha, I purcased a BSA commercials Bahrain SMLE last year Number 58278 and the wood is a very dark walnut and almost in un-used condtion. I was told by my RFD it dates to 1932 but who knows !.

[Brian Dick]

I imported a 20 of the Bahrain issue rifles several years ago. There are still a few here. They're all commercial BSA in a specific 58xxx-59xxx serial range as decribed by Paul. I was told they were produced in the early 30's too. The rifles themselves appear to have seen more drill and ceremony than firing because all but a couple in near new condition had the buttplate screws worn heavily. Fortunately most have matching bolts and the barrels are excellent so they are wonderful shooters.

[Beerhunter]

. I was told by my RFD it dates to 1932 but who knows !.

Take a look under the top handguard for a date code.

[Ridolpho]

Attachment 31030Attachment 31031jc5: Sorry for the delay- need to lose the day job!

[Jc5]

No, keep the day job! They're hard to find these days!