BSA Siam 303

[gympiebrowns]

Hey guys, just acquired another 303, my first is my Great Grandfathers service SMLE 1916 No1 Mark 3*,I was under the impression it was a Ishpore but when I delved further it appears to be a Siamese conflict BSA Tiger corp??? I would love to find out more from you guys, photos attached…

On the underside of bolt handle it has 2409
No ID markings on the nose cap visible
No markings on the timber work

Sorry if I have not supplied enough info, if need more tell me whats needed please, many thanks, what would these be worth, barrels black but with goo rifling, timber has a few knocks but generally in great condition

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Patrick Chadwick]

The following link provides a lot of info on the Siamese Tigers:


https://www.milsurps.com/content.php...1-MkIII*-Rifle


I have seen a few for sale over here, always in dire condition, no obvious rarity premium. If your example still has a good bore that would be exceptional.

[muffett.2008]

Nice addition, great collectibles.
Have seen two different types of butt markings though, the original BSA butt has a roundel, whereas the replacement Thai butt has the S/N engraved into it.Attachment 64259
BSA stamps on nocks and boltAttachment 64260Attachment 64261
Bayonet to matchAttachment 64262
........and a bit of background, courtesy of Skennerton.Attachment 64264Attachment 64265Attachment 64266Attachment 64267Attachment 64263

[Robert303]

I bought one a few years ago that came in via Germany. I put some details up on this site so will see if I can find them. Mine shoots OK and I have a matching bayonet for it. I may be selling mine as I am having probs with non aperture sights due to age!

---------- Post added at 11:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 PM ----------

This is what I posted about mine. If the link works.

Smiley Cat

[gympiebrowns]

just to think i was getting it to part out the timbers for my sporterised no1 mark 3*

[Colonel Enfield]

Looks like you've done well there! I've only seen a couple of the "Smiling Tiger" contract rifles about and they've either been deactivated as wall-hangers or were in terrible condition (like they'd been stored in a tin shed in a humid jungle somewhere for 80-odd years) - or both.

[Richard Hare]

Mine was as above!....wood partly rotted with rust attached, and fired bullets through the target sideways at any range at all.... Must have lived in the same jungle tin shed, Col. Enfield!

[Frederick303]

Mine has three bulges in the barrel. Has rot I fixed with minwax epoxy.

What is neat about it is it has an Indian bolt. I wonder if this rifle did not end up in the INA fighting against India in the later portion of WWI.

[Ridolpho]

I was partially lucky with mine- bore and surface metal in very good condition (appears to be nice original BSA bluing). The wood has that nice black "from the tropics" look and when I stripped it (after buying from a fellow who shot it quite a bit and found it innacurate) the wood from the draws area poured out in 50 tiny pieces. Surprisingly, given the punky appearance of the wood, I was able to replace the draws area with a walnut patch with no problem. The previous owners useage had caused the expected crack to form above the front triggerguard screw collar so I installed a facsimile of an "Ishapore Screw" and she's fully usable again.

Ridolpho

[gympiebrowns]

now that im not going to part out the timbers i will strip off all the timbers to see if there is anything unexpected underneath them, give the timbers a good clean and the bore a good clean and send a few rounds down the range, my local gunsmith has checked it all out and says it great to go ahead with firing, cant wait...