Parker Hale BSA ShtLe MKIII*

[mr.e moose]

To me it looks like the barrel has been cut back and flat crowned. It should protrude a slight bit past the nose cap.

Information

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[nijalninja]

Ok now I am a tad confused, are you saying that at the factory when they found a rifle that shot better than others could it have then been sent straight to PH, or would it have gone into service as a marksman's rifle, only to see PH after this time? The repairs at the back look identical to repairs on my old BSA which I can only assume is the work of a military armourer, but then the butt-stock has no marks on the RHS, its got me a tad confused. Also thanks for sharing this info, there doesn't seem to be much out there for Parker Hale rifles.

[Gil Boyd]

Parker Hale weren't alone in modifying and adding their designs to a host of rifles. If like the rifle you have there someone wanted to shoot it to the best of its ability at the time on a target range, they would go for one of the sight suppliers of which PH was one,. not sure why you are confused. They could then fit it, or indeed the owner could!

Added later:

I am sure you will ask, so here are the abbreviations answered for you:

SC Means= Short Cone (for use with Mk7 ammunition)
HV Means= High Velocity
OA = Orange Factory Australia NSW
BA = BAthurst factory Australia NSW

Mr Moose,
Agreed the rifle does appear cut down at the foreend to make a Sporter one assumes!

[nijalninja]

Mr moose, I noted the different crowning in the OP, and I was curious if this was perhaps a thing done on all Commercial BSA barrels, or maybe just someone's attempt at more accuracy.

Gil I was under the impression that PH would targetize rifles for their customers from basically standard rifles which they were given (In the case of a custom rifle like this not just a sporter). I just could not understand whether you were saying that the rifles could be taken directly from BSA after test shooting to PH for a different life, or if you were saying after the testing the rifle would be destined to be used with a marksman or sniper in the military after which time it had the PH workout. Its just not clear, for someone like me, what the timeline for a rifle like this is, could it be: Off the production line, and into service with a sniper, and then back to PH; OR, off the production line and straight to PH and then onto a shooting team or otherwise? I just see some things, mainly the markings on the butt, which seem to contradict both timelines: If it went to service and then back to PH it would still have the markings on the RHS of the butt-stock; OR, if it went straight to PH it would likely have never seen enough abuse to warrant the repairs at the back end of the butt-stock. I hope this does not sound like I am trying to bother you but its a nice rifle and one I would love to have a good outline for its story.

[Gil Boyd]

The mystery is in the rifle itself, each rifle is its own Holy Grail.
Stamped butt markings are another thing. Normally with a date stamped there and other markings too where the rifle has come back fro refurbishment etc.
In terms of rifles, each manufacturer had a variety of policies applied to differing weapons, and I am not going to start that long list of reasoning.

I cannot be as definitive as you would desire on this one rifle without seeing the whole story in front of me. Suffice it to say, every mark and symbol means something, and I am going to leave you to search for the answers because they are all on this website and said many many times before.
Good luck.

[mr.e moose]

The opposed broad arrows on the receiver ring show that it was sold out of service. On the barrel the BSA stacked rifles and A G Parker shows that it is a commercial barrel that went through Parker Hale for replacement and accurizing.
The additional action screws along with the fitting of the PH 5A and the front and rear sight protectors tells me it was someone's range rifle. The way the muzzle appears it suffered some damage or cord wear and instead of it being counterbored it was cut back and flat crowned.

[nijalninja]

Mr moose, I already know the sold out of service mark, the BSA marks, and can also guess its a target rifle. I did not know about the crowning, but on a range rifle you would think a true target shooter would use cleaning rods and avoid this problem.

Gil, I know the butt should have marks and I know the basic dates and whatnot which is why I am scratching my head wondering why its blank. I tried to picture every mark I could without stripping it down, and I can't tell all that much more than what has already been said. Either way I'll keep looking.

[Gil Boyd]

No problem as this is what this site is good at. A variety of experienced replies to help you along the way.
Every rifle tells a tale, and no two tales are the same. Every mark and stamp on your rifle means something, and the answers are all already on this site if you use the Search Milsurps.com Search box at the top right of your screen.
Good hunting!