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    BSA contact rifle era?

    I'm curious about my parker hale stamped no1 mk3, which has BSA Co on the wrist and nothing else. As I understand it these non military issues were 1920's or so.
    Is that the only period they were made and sold by bsa, or are these rifles known over other time periods? Any idea when? My rifle seems in very good condition for an early - 1920 rifle, but a ww2 issue or later seems not possible as we know the production stopped. I assume there's no give away points that might reveal age? What about the barrel numbers, could they be a clue?
    Thanks rjwnz
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    They aren't necessarily "non military issues". Rifles built by BSA for governments other than the Britishicon will also be marked by like yours.

    Because those rifles were not built for the British Government, they will also show so-called Birmingham Military Proof - a crowned BM. That was a Proof done for non-Government production rifles of a military calibre" to comply with the Laws on Proof. (Those same laws say that the Government can ignore the law.) Under the top rear handguard you may find the Birmingham crossed sceptres (they look like swords) with a date code.

    BTW, because some dealers do not trust the BM Proofs (Incorrectly in my opinion. They are perfectly valid English Proof marks.), you will often find that rifles marked BM (or the London equivalent) will have been "double Proofed".

    All the ones that I have seen have been built: "between the wars".
    Last edited by Beerhunter; 08-03-2012 at 03:24 AM.

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    Well, I took a look but there's no such markers, too bad, plus the barrel has been changed out but has no year stamp either. Worth the try, thanks for the suggestions.

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    Some times you will find a military Inspectors mark on the butt socket near the bolt way. I have one at the moment which looks like an Enfield Inspectors mark.
    Regards Simon

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