1912 ShtLE- restoration project

[Catch22]

Question Regarding Volley or Long Range Sights on the No 1 Mk III

This recent thread directly relates to your project. Good luck and have fun.

I GREATLY appreciate that link, Roy.

From what I'm gathering, is that it's entirely possible at some point the volley sights were removed and a stock without them put on. However, it could still have had the magazine cutoff (as this one has the slot exposed, so I'm thinking it was removed during sporterizing).

If anyone can confirm that, I'd be grateful. I'm guessing it'll be far easier to find a forend with the magazine cutout relief and no volleys, and it'll still be accurate as far as what it would have left it's last arsenal.

[AD-4NA]

Yes, it just depends on what you want to go for. and if there are rebuild marks that give clues. The latter option without volley sights would certainly be cheaper and easier to find even if the end result is less eye catching.

[Catch22]

Went by the shop today and ended up walking out with this gun. $150 out the door, so I can't complain. I've started taking it down for a good cleaning, as it looks like it's been a while since it's had one.

I'm searching the web for resources to help me decipher the various markings. If anyone knows of any sources or can help out, it'd be greatly appreciated. All I can tell by it is that it's a 1912, so far I can't even discern the manufacturer.

All the numbers match on the parts I can find numbers on: receiver, barrel, rear sight, and even the magazine (though a previous SN has been marked out). The magazine is a "4" marked mag, which I understand is proper for this model?

Now I'm going to be on the hunt for a stock set (this one has been cut down and the butt stock has a big split in it) and front piece. As far as I can tell, there was no volley sights on it when it was sportered and that it's quite possible it has been rearsenalled and this is correct for it. I don't see any indication of a rear volley sight having been on the receiver or where it'd attack if it should. It does have the magazine cutoff slot, so I'll also be hunting a replacement down for it.

Thanks for the help you've already provided!!!

[Catch22]

On your 1912 Sht LE, do you have the HV or SC stamps behind the rear sight ? photo of my 1909 BSA showing both HV and SC. Yours should have the HVAttachment 58617Attachment 58618

The fore-end with volley sight is very difficult to locate

It has both. What is the significance of those markings?

[Bruce_in_Oz]

HV - High Velocity. i.e. Mk 7 ball ammo, as opposed to the more pedestrian, round-nosed heavy, Mk 6-bulleted stuff.

SC - Refers to a modification of the Short Cone _ a part of the chamber.

This is usually accompanied by modifications to the bedding brought about by the significantly different vibration modes generated by the new ammo.

The change to Mk7 ammo meant that the rear-sights had to be recalibrated / replaced.

The “*” on the more common “III*” rifles refers to a series of “relaxations” to speed up rifle production in the First Great Unpleasantness.

The long-range volley sights on the left side, the rear-sight windage adjustment and the magazine cut-off were deleted.

Interestingly enough, the “*” variation was supposed to be an “emergency measure” for the “duration” and was subject to change back to the earlier form after the shooting stopped. Sometime later, it was quietly agreed that the “bells and whistles” deleted for the “*” variation were not really necessary and subsequently went, forever.

Any that survive “un-modernised” probably floated around in quiet colonial outposts or in private hands from early days.

[Catch22]

I appreciate that info. Helps a bunch.