Commercial BSA No.1 Mk1 with Afghanistan gov't seal in two places.kB

BSA made this commercial proofed No.1 Mk1 .303 rifle for the Afghanistan government circa 1910. It is marked with the Afghan circular seal on the knox form and receiver socket.

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The status symbol silver bling was added later. Note the cutoff plate has a rivet. The rifle is a returned war trophy as faint markings on the butt plate indicate a Marine Sgt. with obscure name owned it at one time.

Looks more like a locally-made Dara one to me.

not something you see every day. those boys sure know how to make their weapons pretty.

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Originally Posted by Mk VII

locally-made

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The markings remind me of a local made too. I'd still love to have it.

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Originally Posted by Mk VII

Looks more like a locally-made Dara one to me.

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That BSA marking on the butt socket doesn't look like the font, or size of any BSA I've seen. The fact that the letter are double stamped slightly out of line would suggest it is not a marking made in a 'production line environment'

I was looking at some BSA SHTLE 1 yesterday and the markings were nothing like that one.

Agree it's probably not a BSA, but I'd still like to have it.

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Originally Posted by limpetmine

I'd still like to have it.

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Agreed. People ask how safe to shoot these are if made by locals, I suspect this one has had it's share of combat action in past.

The photographs show the markings to be rather 'native looking'.
The double Broad Arrows and knurling on the sight-guard, are suspect.
The commercial 'proof' appears done by hand.

I had the privilege of seeing this rifle and other Khyber gems, in Paul's fine display at the Michigan Antique Arms Collector's show, five days ago.
It is much more deceptive, when seen in person!

The rifle is a thing of beauty and the government seal on the 'knox-form' is rather convincing.

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The V.R. proofmark is also anachronistic. Some of these locally produced ones can look quite convincing, but something usually gives it away.

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Originally Posted by Alan de Enfield

That BSA marking on the butt socket doesn't look like the font, or size of any BSA I've seen. The fact that the letter are double stamped slightly out of line would suggest it is not a marking made in a 'production line environment'

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+1

Not legitimate commercial BSA markings.... but I'd still love to own it, just for the bling and the story!