Queens Prize SMLE

[Chris7171]

Hi, I have an interesting BSA No1 Mk3 that was used for the Queens prize shoot at Bisley, as you can see from the photos it was regulated by Fulton and has a ball burnished barrel, parker-hale sights and full bedded in cork (note extra barrel band at the front) and stock ajustment screws in the receiver. It is only marked BSA on the wrist band a commercially sold rifle I guess.

It has the examiners mark of “Harry” Hardwick (a crown with D6 over E) from Holland & Holland famed for the No4 T snipers.

My question is how did this rifle ended up with a Holland & Holland examiners mark, when it was made at BSA and regulated by Fulton. Any Ideas?

Information

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[Thunderbox]

Possibly either retailed or serviced by Holland & Holland, or even taken into service at some point and given a contract inspection.

[tbonesmith]

Very nice looking range rifle.

[Mk VII]

Privately owned rifles had to pass government view before they could be accepted by the NRA for competition as service rifles. Obviously this one must have been modified afterwards.

“ After breeching up, the body and barrel, the bolt and bolt-head are assembled with their components, and sent to be proved by the inspection department, after the body, barrel, sight leaf and bolt have been stamped with the same number…..the body, barrel and bolt-head are marked with the proof mark, and the barrel with the view mark and date.
The viewer’s mark consists of a number below a crown, the letters E or B are also put on to denote the place of manufacture. The marks are placed on the left side of the body, and on the left side of the barrel close to the junction of the barrel and body.
Private rifles or carbines that have been submitted for a modified inspection to the Small Arms Inspection Department after they have been finished and are found to be in general conformity with Service patterns, so that they may be used in matches restricted to rifles or carbines of Government pattern, are marked with the above marks on the right side instead of on the left.”
Textbook of Smallarms, 1929

[finloq]

I do not know, I just know that I have a new quest in life!
How about doing your ol' buddy a favor and leaving your door unlocked tomorrow night?
Can anybody here fly me to New Zealand right now and leave the engine running, for no particular reason; while I run a small errand? Then bring me back to L.A. I'll buy the beer.

[Strangely Brown]

Hi, I have an interesting BSA No1 Mk3 that was used for the Queens prize shoot at Bisley

Chris, do you know who used it for the Queens Final?

[Chris7171]

Wow, thanks for all that info looks like Fulton’s probably sent it to Holland & Holland for proofing and it was Harry Hardwick that was the one that did it. They must have all done a good job as it still will hold a MOA (on a sunny day!).

As for who used it in the Queens Prize final, sadly that has been lost in time, but the rifle was purchased from Fulton them self’s at Bisley by my farther and I remember going to pick it up, we were told at the time that it was used for the Queens Prize maybe by them?

[Peter Laidler]

Don't forget that Harry Hardwick was an Enfield examiner who lived close to the H&H factory, so he simply travelled there to work instead of taking the tube to Enfield. At H&H he very probably did exactly the same job as he was doing at Enfield - but examining different equipment. I don't think that rifle went to H&H but probably a new or replacement Enfield made barrel examined and passed by him in the past.

Just my thoughts as someone in the past had identified the same mark on a No1 Mk6 body

[Jugs]

Give Fultons a ring with the serial number of the rifle. I know they have all of the old record books for all the rifles they have worked on. They may be able to tell what you want to know about the rifle.

[Chris7171]

Don't forget that Harry Hardwick was an Enfield examiner who lived close to the H&H factory, so he simply travelled there to work instead of taking the tube to Enfield. At H&H he very probably did exactly the same job as he was doing at Enfield - but examining different equipment. I don't think that rifle went to H&H but probably a new or replacement Enfield made barrel examined and passed by him in the past.

Just my thoughts as someone in the past had identified the same mark on a No1 Mk6 body

Thanks, But the barrel is a BSA (see photos) so I don’t think it’s been replaced, but yes it could have been sent to Enfield for proofing it was just Harry that did it. Would Holland & Holland have been more likely to do it as they would have done more custom one off work?


P.S Peter I was the one who purchased the No32 Mk2 scope from you off e-bay, many thanks it arrived yesterday very pleased with it and very fast postage A+