Interesting BSA No.4 Mk1

[nmckenzie]

Recently acquired the rifle noted above. Receiver bucket left side has BSA's B stamp, 1941 date, Crown Property broad arrow, serial number without letter prefix in BSA's 10,000 range with A suffix - which I understand was meant to indicate non-interchangeable parts. My understanding is that A suffix rifles were actively sought out and scrapped post-war. Barrel is five groove. Here's the interesting aspect. Top center of the receiver ring is stamped U S - not the US Property seen on Savage produced No.4s, and the U S is repeated in a smaller font on lower side of the forestock - just behind the nosecap, and upper surface of the buttstock - immediately behind the receiver bucket. I've seen dozens of US Property No.4s over the years, but have never seen one marked just U S. Thank you in advance for any light members might be able to shed on this No.4.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

Pics would be priceless here, it could be just marked by some enterprising individual to enhance his story about "It was there and done that"...

[harry mac]

U.S, or U/S is British Army parlance for Unserviceable. Might not be what this stamp refers to, but it's something to bear in mind.

[gc1054]

Unusual marking on a No4. As BAR noted pics would really help!

I believe UK rifles would normally be marked "ZF" if condemned. Perhaps one of the armourers can comment on the potential use of a "US" marking on a British/Commonwealth rifle?

Out of curiousity have you had the forend off to inspect it and the rifle?

I think American arsenals possibly did mark the stocks/woodwork of American rifles with "US" if they were found to be out of spec (can anyone confirm this?). Have seen several 03A3's with this stamp on the woodwork (buttstock left side) and in fact my current rifle's Raritan Arsenal rebuild stock is so marked. The reason was apparently due to a bit of twist & slight bow at the stock tip......probably deemed not worth the trouble or cost during arsenal inspection for a rifle being sold surplus......thus the "US" stamp.

[Peter Laidler]

The standard for us was white or yellow paint that you couldn't miss with ZF or Z-UF

[mrclark303]

There is the possibility that it could have been marked as unserviceable by a third party, many nations, rifle clubs and other organisations used surplus arms post war.

Any civilian proof markings?