Mk3 * upgrade on BSA's

[Father Ted]

Came across a 1915 BSA, has a six pointed star next to the mklll then a line above it, not through it(the star). The rifle retains the windage sight, cutoff, but no volley sight. There is no milled provision for dial and no relief for peep sight on forend. The forend appears to be numbered to receiver (although last # looks like an upside down 3 instead of a 5) and has the same color age ect as the rest of furniture.
The rifle has a Z 15,000 serial number which would mean it was manufactured late 1915, correct? I remember reading that BSA started to omit the cutoff ahead of other manufacturers in late 15, were they omitting volley sight as well? Could this forend be correct for year and someone restored cutoff? It has the N navy marking on left side socket and I remember reading that they sometimes required cutoff being in place on their kit.
Thanks for any input.
Cheers

Information

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[Thunderbox]

The majority of No1 MkIIs appeared to have been restocked during WW1, or certainly afterwards during the 1920s reburbishments. Hence it is normal for a replacement forend to look "original" - the wood has aged almost 100 years by now.

Post a photo of the markings.

If the "III" is centred below the "GR" "BSA Co" and "1915" - and the "*" is slightly to the right - then the rifle will have been built as a MkIII with volley sights. If the "III" and "*" together are centred, then it may have been built as a MkIII*.

[Father Ted]

Thanks Thunderbox, the three does appear to be centered and star is a little off. I will post pics when I can get to a computer and transfer from phone as I can never post them from phone here. The forend also stands a bit proud where it meets wrist which leads me to believe its a possible replacement, the serial # just kind of throws me off. Unfortunately there is some draw repair to do as well.
Pics to follow
Cheers

[Father Ted]

here are a few pics, I compared it alongside my 1914 BSA mk111 (no star) and it is centered as well.

Naval?

A separate question regarding barrel. It has matching #s to receiver and a '15 on it in same place as my 1914 has the '14, yet underneath it is a date of 3 38. this barrel has the Small Cone marking below the HV on barrel which the 1914 does not. what would this separate date be?
Thank you
1915

1914

[stevesmle]

This was built originally as a Mk III * in late 1915, by BSA, it has later been upgraded to MK III , by cancelling the star and milling/cutting a slot, and fitting a cut-off, possibly by the Royal Navy, as it is N marked, but this work was also common at Ishapore during the 1920's and early 1930's, during the rifle upgrade programs. BSA Mk III* production seems to have begun in the Y serial number range.

[Father Ted]

What about the 3 38 date on barrel?

[Thunderbox]

What about the 3 38 date on barrel?

Probably just an inspection mark. Although this type of date stamp would normally be on a replacement barrel, the original 1915 date indicates that the barrel was not replaced. Quite possibly the rifle was not actually used much - or even issued - during WW1, so was in fairly mint condition when inspected.

By 1938 of course, they were starting to re-inspect stored weapons because of the likelihood of war with Germany.

[Peter Laidler]

Generally speaking, following a large or long combat situation, the war stocks that come back are sifted, graded and those deemed worthy of repair are repaired and the remainder, scrapped. This applies across the board from weapons to optical stores to vehicles. Once consigned to Ordnance stores, the kit is laid up in what we call 'deep pres' or deep preservation. It can stay like this for 30 years in sealed dehumidified packages or the likes of tanks etc etc, cocooned.

But stuff that is returned to Ordnance by units is always returned complete to CES (unless it is returned as obsolete - such as the last of the Brens and L4's when just the weapon was returned and chopped very quickly because obsolete stores and weapons are just an expensive way of storing fresh air.....). Every few years, there will be a 10% rotating inspection when it's sealed and returned to Mob Stores.

As we speak, tons of kit being returned from Afgh. is being rebuilt to War Reserve Standard and put in deep-pres.

Like TBox says, I agree and it's probably a stores inspection date

[Father Ted]

Thanks gentlemen.