No.5 Mk1 find.

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   Went to a gunshow here in Michigan and this is one of the rifles that came home with me. The rifle on the left is one that I've had for a few years now. The one on the right is the one I just picked up.

The one I just picked up is a 1946 BSA Shirley. The metal bits all appear to be m47C and matching. The forearm though is a bit puzzling as I thought they would of been using the capped forearms by 1946. It's had a rough go but it cleaned up well.

The one I've had is a 1945 BSA Shirley. Everything on it matches and it's non import marked.

Just need a couple of Fazakerley carbines and I'd be a happy camper.

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Target Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: June 05 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 355	Post Options Post Reply Quote Target Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: No.5 Mk1 find. Posted: October 09 2013 at 3:03am
	Went to a gunshow here in Michigan and this is one of the rifles that came home with me. The rifle on the left is one that I've had for a few years now. The one on the right is the one I just picked up. The one I just picked up is a 1946 BSA Shirley. The metal bits all appear to be m47C and matching. The forearm though is a bit puzzling as I thought they would of been using the capped forearms by 1946. It's had a rough go but it cleaned up well. The one I've had is a 1945 BSA Shirley. Everything on it matches and it's non import marked. Just need a couple of Fazakerley carbines and I'd be a happy camper.

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Alan de Enfield Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: November 01 2009 Location: Eastern England Status: Offline Points: 231	Post Options Post Reply Quote Alan de Enfield Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 09 2013 at 3:48am
	I was found that in service (in the tropics / jungle) the capped forend trapped moisture and the wood rotted, it was made worse because No5 rifles were stored 'muzzle down' to avoid oil running down into and destroying the rubber butt-pad. The caps were then removed as they came into the armoury. New No5's were then built without the capped forend. If there was no stock of No5 forends in the stores the armourer would 'make them' from No4 forends Any date & either with or without a 'cap' can be correct depending on where the rifle saw service. Source of info - Captain Peter Laidler (UK's most senior armourer)

IamCaleb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: June 26 2013 Location: S. Florida Status: Offline Points: 77	Post Options Post Reply Quote IamCaleb Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 09 2013 at 3:49am
	I bet that stock has some stories to tell. Nice find.

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Online Points: 11176	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 09 2013 at 8:44am
	congrats both look to be nice specimens

Target Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: June 05 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 355	Post Options Post Reply Quote Target Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 09 2013 at 8:54am
	That's good information about the nose cap and it makes sense. This stock is a No.5 stock. Just checked it. Would be kind of cool to get a converted No.4 stock on a rifle. The handguard is rotted out around the knox form and the only thing holding it under the handguard ring is two tiny tabs of wood so looks like I either have to get a new guard or make one from a no.4 guard. Possible that this rifle was used in the post war Malayan Emergency? Definitely a lot of moisture damage in places.

BlackAck Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: July 25 2012 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 188	Post Options Post Reply Quote BlackAck Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 09 2013 at 9:36pm
	Definitely an option I think. Borneo, Malaya, maybe Hong Kong...

Target Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: June 05 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 355	Post Options Post Reply Quote Target Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 10 2013 at 10:21am
	Shot it with some old Kynoch Mk7. Keyholed a few of them. Ill grab some more ammunition next time I'm in town and see what happens. Hopefully it was just the ammo.