south african smle

[smle13]

does anyone know the history behind south african no.1 mkIII, did any have volley sights?

Information

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[Thunderbox]

South Africa received its No1 rifles from UK, with probably a few Indian and Australian rifles mixed in from the WW2 North Africa campaign. Some of the rifles dating back to WW1 would have had volley sights, but the bulk of the rifles passed from UK to South Africa in the 1930s and WW2 war years would have been typical "rebuilt" WW1 veterans with replacement forends lacking volley sights. Post WW2, South Africa also had its own rebuild system, turning many No1 rifles into complete unmatched "bitsas". Hence a SA marked No1 MkIII with volley sights is possible, but would be fairly scarce. There are probably quite a few privately owned No1 MkIIIs coming onto the market right now along with the surplus government stocks.

[RobD]

There are a lot of BSA post-WW1 contract Mk IIIs ex-SA; these have the U with broad arrow on the receiver indicating SA military acceptrance, but no other SA markings; they have the cutoff but not the volley sight, though the forestock does have a swell on the left. They are often in excellent condition. The buttstock discs are usually blank.

[Beerhunter]

There are a lot of BSA post-WW1 contract Mk IIIs ex-SA;

I have one of those too and very nice rifles they are.

[bigduke6]

There are a lot of BSA post-WW1 contract Mk IIIs ex-SA; these have the U with broad arrow on the receiver indicating SA military acceptrance, but no other SA markings; they have the cutoff but not the volley sight, though the forestock does have a swell on the left. They are often in excellent condition. The buttstock discs are usually blank.

My one is commercial BSA , last owner was the South African Police, sling and butt disc stamped SAP, sling also has the owner or user,s name on the inside.
Excellent rifle and bore was mint, it looked a bit sorry for itself when I bought it due to it having been covered in varnish at some point in its life, Varnish removed and a couple of dents steamed out then a few coats of BLO applied.