Newly aquired 1940 BSA mk1 III

[scatterbrains]

Hello all First thread found the forum through a google search while trying to find some info on a MK1 III i have just gotten. Very good condition all numbers match no cracks or major damage to the stock. It came with what i believe is a og sling but it has no markings on it.

The cocking knob and the cutoff are the first things to grab my attention. The knob is round w/o any serrations but more of a stippling on it. Not flat and course like my No4 .

My questions mainly focus on the barrel shank and the unit disc marking "12" and what they mean. Ive asked on a few other forums and was told it is a commercial barreled military rifle pre dispensary?

Thank you for any help or insight.Here are some pictures.






What do these markings mean just behind the rear sight?



What is the hole for on the side of the receiver? Is it a chamber vent in case of OOB?


Thank you for any help

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.

[jrhead75]

The Term used on the other forum was "pre-dispersal", which basically means that your rifle was likely assembled before BSA's facilities were dispersed in order to avoid German bombing. The barrel, although it's got BSA's commercial trademark on it, was also accepted, proofed, and inspected by the government...I'd suspect it's the original. It was passed out of service and commercially proofed in the UK sometime after 1954.

The hole is indeed to vent gas in the event of a case failure.

[stevesmle]

The cocking piece is the original type for the SMLE, The markings behind the rear sight are High Velocity, and Small Cone, both meaning for use with Mk VII ammunition.