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About 25 years ago I purchased a No 1 Mk III from SADF stock. I've always wondered about its origin and thought the answer should be here.
The only marking on it is the BSA logo on the knox and BSA Co on the right wrist area, nothing else. The absolute minimum proof marks. Serial no 49216.
Any ideas date, etc would be highly appreciated.
Commercial BSA rifle purchased by your government from the maker.
Daan, these are commonly found in SA, as you will know - sometimes in very good condition. BSA made them just after the Great War, as I udnerstand it, continuing a large contract which the UK govt no longer needed. They reverted to the Mk III style with cutoff; the fore-end may still have a swell for the long range sight. They seem very well made; they were shipped to various places including SA, where they picked up Union Defence Force markings, and seem to have been part of the stock of combat rifles for SA forces in WW2. The brass stock discs are usually blank. A regular forummer, TerryLee, in in Gauteng and knows an awful lot about these - unless Terry chips in, my suggestion would be to PM him.
Thank you RobD. No cut-off, no long range sight at all anywhere, no stock disk. Yes, nicely blued, slick as slick bolt movement, sold with spare wood and long bayonet given away a long time ago. Paid R16 at that time IIRC.
For the date, you have to look for the crossed scepters as described on this page:
http://www.rifleman.org.uk/Dating%20your%20rifle.htm