No.5 ROF (F) question

I have a No.5 that is all matching however, the rear sight is of the correct type 800yd variety but is marked with a B on the major parts would that make it a BSA item? I got the rifle at a good price in great condition the only draw back was it had been drilled for scope and later had the screw holds plugged which could be a deal breaker for some, the BNP proof didn't get clobbered when drilled and whoever plugged them did a fairly decent job it is an early rifle it's dated 9/44. I was kinda thinking if it was drilled for a scope and latter plugged someone had enough foresight to replace the rear sight with the correct type but didn't know the difference. I want another No.5 this could become an addiction.

It could be that the "B" is the Longbranch mark (a B over an L). I wouldn't consider that a serious mismatch... and with regards to the plugged holes, of course that reduces the "collectible" factor but if the price is right and the bore is nice, it'd be another great shooter in your posession :)

I am only aware of one #5 being produced at Longbranch. It's in the War Museum. The sight is marked correctly as he stated,(800yd) so the marking of B is possibly Wilkinson's Ltd., Bradford (N85) which is a contractor of #4 and #5 parts.

thanks for the replies, it's just plain B stamped no LB. The bore is very nice the wood is nice if i get a chance later i'll post some pics

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Originally Posted by STU1

thanks for the replies, it's just plain B stamped no LB. The bore is very nice the wood is nice if i get a chance later i'll post some pics

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Stu, what's the serial number pre-fix on your rifle? Mine's also a 9/44. Mine's "R".

The "B" is BSA and occurs on backsights for both the No4 and No5 rifles---there are small-B and large-B variations of the latter.
-----krinko

That's what I said....with details.

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Originally Posted by STU1

I have a No.5 that is all matching however, the rear sight is of the correct type 800yd variety but is marked with a B on the major parts would that make it a BSA item?

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Only two factories made No.5s, ROF Fazackerley and BSA. I suspect that when doing repairs to rifles in the field, armourers did not try to match parts from the 'correct' factory.

You're dead right there Beery............ You'd be suprised how many think that we'd go through shelves and boxes of parts looking for an appropriately marked part....... No so!

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Originally Posted by harry mac

Stu, what's the serial number pre-fix on your rifle? Mine's also a 9/44. Mine's "R".

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it's a B prefix.