Prototype .22 No5 Rifle.

[Peter Laidler]

I have my doubts about these BSA 'No5.22" variants. BSA made the No5's and 8's as contractors for the old MoS. Nothing more nor less. They'd already had their bottoms kicked for over manufacture and selling the No8's plus spare parts for several years to NZ and others*. The WD/MoS had their ideas for the No2 rifle replacement and selected 2(?) types/styles for the trials and these long and short versions are well known about. Fazakerley also put a very simple design forwards based on nothing more than a single feed .22" No5. Like most things Fazakerley, it was a waste of time........!
*Others unidentified as yet

I think that the odd No5/8 versions that come from BSA were really nothing more than commercial efforts by BSA to compete in the small bore market in the UK without treading on the toes of the MoS and the designers at the old Enfield design office at Cheshunt who held the IPR's to the trigger mech and action generally. Just my opinion based on the UK MoS trials papers and handbook we had. On the other hand, it was perfectly acceptable for the MoS and Enfield to tread on the Sterling designers toes and pirate their designs........

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.

[browningautorifle]

nothing more than commercial efforts by BSA to compete in the small bore market

Are you suggesting these were simply assembled by BSA from existing parts for civilian sales then? Perhaps?

[Buccaneer]

Are you suggesting these were simply assembled by BSA from existing parts for civilian sales then? Perhaps?

That's an interesting thought as I know that the owner of this rifle is convinced that it is "genuine" he has even told me that the Pattern Room would like to get their hands on it but as Peter has pointed out if BSA were making up rifles for the commercial market who knows what configuration they cold have been built in.
The only official mark of any description is on the bolt in the form of a pair of crossed banners just before the serial number stamp but the bolt could have come from anywhere, if this really was a pre trials prototype should it at least have some other marks, and why build 25 if the number on the butt socket actually stands for the total number built?

[browningautorifle]

the owner of this rifle is convinced that it is "genuine" he has even told me that the Pattern Room would like to get their hands on it

If they don't have one, then I'd think it's not strictly kosher...?