BSA P-14

I know that almost all P14'S were made in the US, so how did this rifle come to be. It is sporterized, has a 4 digit serial #, is stamped Made in England on the receiver.Did they put these together from parts or redo existing rifles? Is there any way to find out who originally built this gun?

As a side I originally bought this rifle for a build but because it was drilled and tapped decided to try it first. First group with factory ammo was 1 inch so now it is being used for hunting with my own reloads and half inch groups. Don't think it's worth wrecking something that shoots that well.

I think that it will be necessary to post some pictures, please, in order to give members a full understanding of exactly what you have.

Here are a few pictures and will take a couple more

This is the serial #

It looks like R.S.A. to me rather than B.S.A.. I can't think what R.S.A. would stand for but no doubt someone else does.

I believe these were sporterized by BSA from P14's but not built by them. The receivers were scrubbed and renumbered during the process so you may never know who made it. The 2 holes in the rear of the receiver just forward of the bolt handle tells me that it most likely wore a parker hale peep sight when it was first converted. I'm not sure when they were done though, could have been between the wars or post WWII. Someone else here will know for sure. Bill

Thanks for the info

RSA = Republic of South Africa. Guessing.

Back in the day BSA had quite a business sporterizing old military surplus rifles into hunting rifles. The 'RSA' is just the BSA either lightly struck in the first place or partially scrubbed off through time and use. Here is a photo of the exact same type of sporter just with the BSA intact.

BSA Model E in Sporting Rifle Forum Archives Forum

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by oldfoneguy

I believe these were sporterized by BSA from P14's but not built by them. The receivers were scrubbed and renumbered during the process so you may never know who made it. The 2 holes in the rear of the receiver just forward of the bolt handle tells me that it most likely wore a parker hale peep sight when it was first converted. I'm not sure when they were done though, could have been between the wars or post WWII. Someone else here will know for sure. Bill

---

They were D&T'd for the then ubiquitous Lyman 48 I believe.

Another one here