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I have a 1918 BSA #1 Mk3 rifle that has a austrian marking on the top rear of the reciever. all other markings on the rifle are british. The unit plate is a blank steel one. Anyone have any ideas on how they got to austria, how many went, and how they ended up in the states. No recent import markings on the rifle. Thank you. Bill Im a new member, really like this site.
Austria received No.1 mark 3's from Britain to arm there police force after the end of WW2 - that's all I know.
that is interesting. I was thinking post ww1-since it is a 1918 rifle. But post ww2 makes since. Austria went to the trouble of putting a nice stamp on the rifle. I should clarify my first post "top rear of reciever" It is on the top front of the reciever, where the barrel attaches. I heard germany recieved
M1 carbines and 1911 pistols post war, and had to turn them back in to the U.S. in the 1960's. So the British supplied Austria. The rifles original serial numbers all match, still has the windage sight, and the magazine cut-off.
Willy30 has it pretty much right, from what I've read. Post WWII, the Allied forces supplied the new police forces with arms. I've seen Webley's, No.1's (see attached pics), 1911's, and have heard of M-1 carbines. This example is a plain jane BSA 1918 No.1 but I snagged it because of the Osterr Gendarmer stamp (sp). Another example of this exists on this board, as well!:)
Mine has no import marks as well, so it arrived prior to 1968. No clue as to how it arrived in the states.
It is interesting that mine is also a 1918 BSA. Mine has no cut off.
Limpetmine, That is the same "Oster Gendarmer" stamp that is on my rifle. No import markings on this one either. Thank you for the reply, been away from the computer.
The History of the rifles is the fun for me.
Bill