My B.S.A. No.1 MK.III* score!

For your consideration, one of the rifles I've always wanted. I've collected, restored, repaired, and shot milsurps for most of my 52 yrs. of shooting, mostly commonwealth (specifically Canadian) military arms, and I've never seen one as pretty as this. It's a 1918 BSA with some cool stamps. Maybe someone more knowledgeable will chime in but I suspect it was made just at wars end and never issued. I'm assuming it sat in government stocks until it was sold "out of service" as surplus to needs. You will note the kings crown and "sales permit" stamp on the noxform. Of interest, some of the stamps have been cancelled out (why?). The barrel is stamped "HV-SC" (and yes, I know what it means) and it's ALL numbers matching. The only thing I had to do was clean off the varnish some yahoo had applied to it and re-oil the stock. You can see the dimple where the long range sight plate would have gone but, like the magazine cut-off and other bits, it was never installed.
Though I've sold off most of my milsurps for a new generation to enjoy, this one is earmarked to my nephew. I won't tell you what it cost me, but I fear I could be charged with theft for paying what the seller wanted. To my fellow SMLE lovers, enjoy!

I doubt it actually sat without being issued. It was probably just issued and not used much. Lots of that took place. Hard to say exactly when it left service...or do you have some proof of that date? Very nice rifle too...

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I doubt it actually sat without being issued. It was probably just issued and not used much. Lots of that took place. Hard to say exactly when it left service...or do you have some proof of that date? Very nice rifle too...

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If it was ever issued, there are no signs of it. The brass butt plate has a few small dents but for sure it didn't do any parade square bashing. As I mentioned about it never being issued, I don't know how one would check that and I'm only speculating given the overall condition of the rifle. When did it leave service? Again, no idea on a date or how to check it.

From a quick glance it looks as though an earlier commercial proof has been barred through and it's been military proofed after having been taken into military service after its first years as a commercially made rifle. Just my take on things. There was a not about this sort of thing in the old Notes for Quartermasters that went hand in glove with the Instructions for Armourers. Webley revolvers occasionally carried commercial proofs that had been barred through and military proofs applied.

While we're on the subject, can anyone with a commercial DA serial No8 rifle tell/remind me whether they've got UK Military proofs or Birmingham commercials. I'll explain the need to know later........

1952 DA1035/NZ201 has the Birmingham proof on the left side of the receiver ring. It also has what looks like a poorly stamped military proof on the top of the Knox.