Quick question

[Ian]

My Dad has my copy of Skennerton so I'll impose on your patience to ask; what was the last year of production for the No1 Mk111 in England - I'm thinking of picking one up that's available locally that was made in 1940. I'm figuring that has to be very close to the end of production, it's either that or a 1916 Lithgow (still has cut off and volley sights). Thanks in advance.

Information

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[jmoore]

1944. Generally known as "dispersal rifles" as they have no makers mark. Usually a "B" above the nomenclature, rather than "BSA". Really may have been 1943 for the last of the receivers, but '44 dates are known.

Fairly scarce rifles, at least in good shape. All are rather "rougher" than the usual SMLE/ No.1 Mk.III*, and generally have a "mixmaster" look to 'em as they used whatever new and good used parts that were at hand.

Just purchased a 1941 "B" marked rifle last wednesday!

[Ian]

Thanks for the quick response, this one is maker marked BSA 1940 and was apparently FTR'd in 45 or 46, then stored and eventually sold as surplus, condition is extremely good+, but then so is the Lithgow. Decisions, decisions..

[krinko]

The No1 MkIII regular production Dispersal rifles stopped in 1941---after that, the No1 MkIII* rifles continued into 1944.
The 1944 rifles I've seen to date----just under a dozen----have all been rebuilds of earlier rifles, remarked in '44. Thus it is possible that a MkIII action body might carry a 1944 date---and I'd love to see one if anyone has an example?
-----krinko

[jmoore]

I've not seen a '44 dated one yet, either, in person, but....

Was BSA manufacturing no-"*" rifles in '40-'41?
My understanding is that they quit marking the action bodies "BSA" in late '41, but BSA continued to have a large input into the mfg of the "dispersal" rifles regardless.


Ian, given the opportunity, get 'em both! Most gunshops have layaway, I've used that tool more than once.

[jona]

BSA 1940 is not a dispersal. It is the last of the true production British SMLEs. They are scarce and rarely seen.

[jmoore]

BSA 1940 is not a dispersal. It is the last of the true production British SMLEs. They are scarce and rarely seen.

Quite right you are.

However he was asking about the last of the No.1 rifles, which would be dispersal rifles rather than BSA and we got sidetracked, as usual!

[krinko]

Dispersal of the Small Heath facilities started in 1940, after a couple of Luftwaffe raids nearly wrecked the factory. As you can see from the photo, the transition to the Dispersal Rifle "B" marking also happened sometime in 1940.
And, yes, BSA were producing MkIII* rifles in 1940-41.
Wish I had a III* from '40...
Oh well, "Had we but world enough and time...".
-----krinko

[5thBatt]

Here's my Dispersal