Help Identifying a GR BSA Co 1916 SHTLE III* |
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duffbeer1212
Newbie Joined: November 23 2017 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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Posted: November 23 2017 at 4:33pm |
Looking for information on a rifle my wife's grandfather gave me several weeks ago. I've done a little research on it, but I am not sure what all of the specific markings on it mean. Was hoping maybe someone on here would be able to translate what some of these are specific to. It has the same serial number (73281) on all parts. Any help would be much appreciated... thank you!
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Bear43
Special Member Donating Member Joined: August 11 2010 Location: Doland, SD Status: Offline Points: 3059 |
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Most of the small marks are inspection marks. On the right side of the barrel, above the serial number, those are the proof marks from when it was sold out of service. The mark on the butt stock indicates it was in India and some of the inspection marks indicate that too. Other than that it's a pretty standard Mk III* that was cut down into a sporter. Looks to have been nicely done overall.
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englishman_ca
Senior Member Joined: September 08 2009 Location: Almaguin Status: Offline Points: 1089 |
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Your rifle has some interesting reading in the markings. On the left hand side of the barrel reinforce are the military proofs and inspection markings. kinda globbed up with grease. It has a marking of '15 which would be the year of the barrel was originally fitted to a rifle. But since this is a 1918 made rifle, that has me puzzled.
On the right side of the barrel reinforce are the serial numbers. At the factory, one of the last processes is to serial number the rifle. This is done on a roll die machine, the same die is used on the receiver and barrel therefore the font of the numbering should be identical. Your serial numbers on barrel and receiver are slightly different to each other which tells me that they were not made with the same die, which would suggest the barrel has been replaced at some time. This might explain the 1915 dated barrel on a 1918 receiver. There are commercial proof marks on the right side too. The 2.22" 18-1/2 tons, .303" appear to be London Proof House markings applied some time pre 1956. The ENGLAND marking is for export to the USA dating pre 1968. All arms sold on the UK market have to be proofed by law, so your rifle was surplused and sold through the British Gun Trade at some time. The butt stock has some interesting markings. The SIA roundel is from India's Inspectorate of Small Arms. There is also a KKD mark which denotes it was at one time in Kirkee Arsenal, looks to be dated 1944. The butt could easily have been changed, but it can at least be determined that the butt was at one time doing service with the Indian Govt. So you have a British rifle that has been rebuilt with a replacement barrel and has spent time in India before being returned to England where it was sold as surplus through the British Gun Trade and subsequently sold to a dealer in the uSA.
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Zed
Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 5585 |
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The date on the wrist look's like 1916 to me.
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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
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englishman_ca
Senior Member Joined: September 08 2009 Location: Almaguin Status: Offline Points: 1089 |
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Yes. You are right. It could indeed be 1916.
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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i thought so as well but dont trust my eyes that much anymore unless i can blow them up a bit , 15 bbl fitted to a 16 receiver is not so unusual , i think it could be original
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englishman_ca
Senior Member Joined: September 08 2009 Location: Almaguin Status: Offline Points: 1089 |
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I agree with a 1915 date it could be the original barrel, however, the font of the two serial numbers looks different to me, two different sets of dies were used.
Not conclusive proof of a replacement, but a strong clue that something was going on with the barreling.
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. Look to your front, mark your target when it comes! |
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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good point , i missed that nuance ,
i find it interesting where the backsite is numbered as well , mine are numbered at the back of the ladder , but the numbers match so im thinking all done at the same time , like to see the back of the bolt handle numbering ,
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