8M/M Nitro Proved BSA?

[Garandy]

Browsing one of the auction sites, I came across a strange (to me anyway) BSA barreled action. It looks like a No 1 but is only marked BSA Co on the right butt socket which I presume makes it a commercial unt. The S/N on the barrel matched a number on the top of the receiver that would be covered when the bolt is closed.

Anyway, the barrel is marked on the left side of the chamber with "8M/M Nitro Proved" as well as what looks like a proof mark over "BM".

Why "8M/M"? Is that just a matter of rounding .303/7.7MM to the next full number or is this rifle chambered in a caliber other than .303?

Thanks.

Information

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[Jc5]

It is a commercial BSA Lee-Enfield sporting rifle chambered for the 8x50R Mannlicher cartridge. which was widely used in India. This one would have been made in the 1920s.

Can you please post or send me the link to this auction so that I can see the pics of this rifle? If the markings are visible on the barrel and action, then I would really like to note them for my survey and book. The 8mm Lees turn up now and again but they are not common and any markings are a big help to my project. Thanks!

[Garandy]

jc5, check your PM's.

[Calif-Steve]

Strong India use for sure and I think some used in South Africa, as well. Post WWI, they are not common.

[Mk VII]

In some British colonies .303 was an illegal cartridge because they didn't want it getting to rebellious elements (in some it still is). The 8x50R was similar, and adaptable to the L-E action for sportsmen.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Apparently BSA also made some very cute Lee Enfield-based sporters in 7 x 57R, back in the early 20th Century

A fair bit of their product was sold via something called "The Army and Navy Stores" or some-such and duly marked with that information.

I have never owned any of these rifles, just gazed longingly at the craftsmanship that went into them is a more "relaxed" era.

[Jc5]

Apparently BSA also made some very cute Lee Enfield-based sporters in 7 x 57R

BSA advertised them very briefly, but I don't believe that any in 7x57 were ever produced for sale. The records don't bear it out, and I have never (in ten years of collecting data) seen one, or spoke to anyone who has seen one. I suspect they were testing the idea, but it didn't work out.

The Army & Navy Stores was a UK cooperative originally created to offer discount prices to the military and military families. They produced huge catalogues as late as WWII. Firearms were part of their inventory and they sold a lot of Lee-Speed rifles. A good article on Army & Navy by Gordon Bruce appeared in Skennerton's Arms & Military Collector Annual No. 29 (still available from Skennerton's site). The upcoming Lee-Speed book will discuss Army & Navy and their relationship with the Lee-Speed manufacturers.