1916 BSA No1 MK3* in Australian service

[jessebogan]

Several years back I purchased this 1916 BSA for the wood to use on another project. It has sat in the back of the safe since. Over the years, I have learned more about these guns, so I have decided to do at least a cosmetic resto on this. It was re-barreled in 1920,and the inspection stamps on the new barrel are all B stamps with one being EFD, so I presume it was done in England. The receiver has the BSA number Y3808, and the D(arrow)D Below the DD mark is another serial number111236. Above the DD is a small number 2, centered between the Ds. Sadly there is also the dreaded DP. The barrel has the D with the broad arrow enclosed, and the Y3808 number. Does anyone have any idea what era that this might have been transferred to Australia? Did they always use another serial number? The top wood, and buttstock (on another gun now) have traces on the yellow painted bands, which would be consistant with the DP marks. The paint had been fairly well scrubbed before I bought it. I am in the US, and there are no import markings on it at all. I would be grateful for any info anyone can provide.

Thanks,
Jesse

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.

[jrhead75]

The 111236 number isn't a serial number, it's a property/inventory number of, in this case, the 2nd Military District, in NSW Australia.

[jessebogan]

Man, I love the internet. Great info. This is why I collect the enfields. They have been places and done things.... Any idea if it would have seen combat in Australian hands?

Thanks
Jesse

[jrhead75]

A pretty good bet, at least in WWII.

[lugerfan]

Hi Jessie,

I also have a 1916 BSA that’s similar. Serial number T1759, pretty much all matching stamped serial numbers, although the barrel has an 18 stamped on it, so I guess it was re barrelled. Same B proof marks on there as well.
Similar markings to yours - showing Australian ownership etc.

At the time I had a few conversations with Ian Skennerton (via email as I’m in the UK) – Enclosed is his reply to one which may help with your rifle.

“The inside the D means it served with Australian forces on the western front during the later years of WW1 and went back to Oz with them. With so many EFD (Enfield) parts, it may have even been refurbished at Enfield, (Barrel is marked 1918) or by a unit armourer at least, before or after being issued to the Australians.
The DD marking means post Great War issue too, the '2' would be 2nd Military District which is New South Wales* for issue to reservists and regular battalions there.
So it likely saw action in the Pacific during WW2 as well.
The JJ mark on the end of the barrel is also described in the Broad Arrow book, it is John Jovino Co. New York (a US gunshop of some fame) The rifle was surplused to the USA during the 1980s, and from thence ended up back in the UK.

Your rifle seems to be all matching numbers on the bolt, body and barrel, from the photos.”

[/I]Interesting comment on the property number on the action on yours, I too had assumed it was an Australian serial number. Mine is marked 112798. Not fully sure of what that could actually be broken down to?
Not sure if anyone happens to know how you can prove via any sort of (proof / issue etc) mark if my gun was ever used by British forces in WW1 or was issued directly to the Australians, but from Ian’s comments I guess it wenet back to OZ for WW2, before being sold on & heading to New York & then back to England to end up with me some 100 miles away from Birmingham. It’s sure done some miles 

PM me if you some photos sent over.

Cheers….

[jessebogan]

Thanks much for that update. I have looked mine over again, and no import marks on it that I can find. In the years since I first dis assembled it, I have misplaced the bolt. I have seen it fairly recently, but for the life of me I can't turn it up... I am tearing my hair out. What I have decided to do is find replacement wood for the other 1916 BSA that the wood on this gun went to, and replace the wood onto this gun. The forward piece of the top wood is marked Slaz, tying in to the known history. The rest of it looks like walnut. The buttstock has an unmarked disc, and the arrow within the D stamped into it. The hunt for decent parts begins...Thanks all that helped, it is quite fulfilling to fill in the gaps like this.

Jesse