Recently acquired BSA 1911 SHTLE III

[Johnius]

Good day, gentlemen and ladies, I recently purchased a BSA 1911 SHTLE III from a friend and know absolutely nothing about it. I've taken pictures of all of the markings I saw and have them below. It's obviously been sporterized, and I'd like to get it back to stock at some point, but I'm not sure where to begin.

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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.

[SpikeDD]

Welcome to the forum!

Well, first off, at least the barrel hasn't been cut! It appears to have been re-barreled at RASF Enfield in 1920. It then spent some time in Australia, indicated by the broad arrow in a "D" marking. Does the number on the back of the bolt handle and under the rear sight match the receiver? The second set of numbers above the serial number will likely have been applied in Australia with whatever district it resided with. Is there a "MD" after the "3" in the upper number? If so, then that rifle was with the 3rd Military District, which is I believe Victoria.

[Johnius]

Thanks for the information. All of the serial numbers match: z2218. Under the rear sight, above z2218 is F77045, which has been struck through.

[SpikeDD]

That's a decent start then. I can tell you a complete stock set, original will go over $300.00 if in good shape on e-bay. I believe springfield sporters may have some nos DP marked sets available.

[CowboyBillWatts]

one of the pictures looks like the rifle may have volley sights installed. if so, springfield sporter does not have that fatboy forearm to accommodate that. i have inquired repeatedly. at least they've told me no.

[browningautorifle]

You could try a WTB here and see what you can glean out of the shadows.

[henry r]

if the fore end hasn't been sanded too far it could be a candidate for a fore end splice (and a few armourers style patches).

it is hard to tell if the belly has been sanded out too far, from the picture it looks bad but that might be the lighting.

[bigduke6]

if the fore end hasn't been sanded too far it could be a candidate for a fore end splice (and a few armourers style patches).

it is hard to tell if the belly has been sanded out too far, from the picture it looks bad but that might be the lighting.

As Henry says, I'd go for a splice and a patch at the rear, the fore-end looks just like it was chopped, the area that looks like it was sanded is just the profile the light and shadow do make it look worse.

[Johnius]

Thank you for all of the information. The fore-end wasn't sanded at all. Even after someone took the saw to it; I can still see toothmarks in the wood. It's really poorly done, that's for certain. I'll look up what all a splice entails and see what I can do. What is a WTB?

[Father Ted]

Great year! Good luck.