BSA training rifle

I got this BSA trainer at a recent auction and wondered if anyone knows anything about them.

This is an auction picture (I'll post better when it arrives)

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0/03/BSA-1.jpg

Auction description advised:

Birmingham Small Arms Cal .22 SN:1873 Bolt action single shot training rifle dated 1907 and proofed as built in England. Blued finish, hard wood semi pistol grip stock, 24" barrel, good bore and action. Nice old leather sling, long range ladder type

It looks an awful lot like the top rifle in this ad

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3/WOMad4-1.jpg

Which is located at this website War Office Miniature Rifle

Dont know the full story behind them, but they were a cheaper option to provide training to get used to the SMLE sight.

The BSA War Office Pattern trainer arrived today. Appears to be in good shape. I'll post a range report.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...OP220051-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...OP220011-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...OP220021-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...OP220041-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...OP220111-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...OP220141-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...OP220131-1.jpg

Looks like a standard War Office Pattern rifle. Should shoot well and have many years of happy life left in it. Most examples I've seen have very bland wood - possibly beech but not sure. Now, if you could find a source of magazine fed WO rifles, that'd be something.

They are written up in The Golden Century which is a history of BSA. I purchased two of the last three copies from the publisher in GB a few months back. Email me if you are interested in one.

Dave