Early S.A M1

[browningautorifle]

My favorite Milsurp Early M1 SA. Trying to show it off to you guys.

Information

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[Kirk]

Very nice! I like the British proof marks. I guess the just didn't really trust us! At least they didn't insist on rechambering it to .303. The rear sight looks like a combination of lockbar & T105E1 parts.

[Johnny Peppers]

Very nice! I like the British proof marks. I guess the just didn't really trust us! At least they didn't insist on rechambering it to .303. The rear sight looks like a combination of lockbar & T105E1 parts.

Any firearm sold commercially in England had to be proofed before being sold, even their own military weapons. The British proofed M1 Rifles I have seen are all post 1955 proofed.

[browningautorifle]

The rear sight is the correct one. They had gone from two checkered knobs to one checkered and one knurled. The next step was the short pinion lock bar. I can't remember if it had any remnants of red paint when I first got it but I don't think so. I don't think these saw much if any use in the UK. The muzzle shows very little wear using the .30 bullet check. I don't have gauges.

[browningautorifle]

That's correct. It had nothing to do with their service, just before they could be sold they had to pass testing. Thus the BNP marks. Some are so indistinct that until I was made aware of what they were, I barely noticed them.

[RCS]

I bought this Lend Lease rifle many years ago. British proofed BNP under the op rod and barrel dated S-A 11-41.

Attachment 18898 Attachment 18897

[Bill Hollinger]

I have 327580 which is very close. Mine has all the same parts as this one although mine is not as nice.

[browningautorifle]

Is yours BNP Bill?

[Garandrew]

Why are so many of these rifles equipped with 8-41 barrels? Mine is, the one I sold was..the only others Ive heard of are 11-41..Nice rifle!
My SN is 308806, and my barrel revision is 7, heat lot REP26B, date 8-41, but my receiver number is 20K earlier than yours...no BNP's anywhere

[browningautorifle]

I guess if I had my druthers I'd have a non LL. I had a large offer on this rifle from a US citizen, and if it hadn't been an LL it would now be residing in the US. It just feels like this rifle and I are family, we go so far back together. Then I would only have an ugly old Danish rebuild to thunder away with...Pics on that another time.