BSA Club Standard Ladies Light information please.

[crab]

I have what I believe is a Club Standard Ladies Light. It is recent acquisition and I would like to know more about it. I have searched other forums, but would like to know more about this model.
The serial number stamped near to the trigger guard is CS49568 and there is an S rotated at 90degrees following this number. There is also a number G5284 or G5294 stamped into the barrel near to the rear sight. It is a lovely item and shoots very well, despite its poor appearance. There is no bluing left at all and the whole rifle is covered in a patina of light rust as one would often expect on and old rifle.
What I would most like more information on are the sights. I am not sure if these are original and am posting pictures.
I would also like to know the age of this rifle, and any other interesting facts you might have.
Your comments will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Gareth W-B]

Welcome to the BBS, especially 'Collectors Corner' (the best bit by a country mile ). Reckon edbear2 and/or Lakey are your best bets for info here, and am sure they'll be along soon enough, so in the mean time, put ya feet up and have a brew while you wait. Ha ha ha. Once again, welcome: Gareth.

[Garvin]

You posted thumbnails - here are the full sized pics below.

At first glance your front sight has lost its tip and the rearsight has a replacement element and has lost its adjuster wheel. I'm sure the two members Gareth mentioned will be able to give you more specifics/pics.

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...n/DSC09832.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...n/DSC09831.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...n/DSC09826.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...n/DSC09823.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...SA_Air_gun.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...n/DSC09821.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...n/DSC09822.jpg

[Lakey]

hi Crab,

The gun you have is a BSA Club Standard in .177 calibre. It is not a light or ladies pattern, but a gun known as The Club No.4 model.

This model was designed for club shooting at both paper targets and the then still popular sport of 'Bell Target' shooting.

First introduced in 1930, the first transitional guns had three hole trigger blocks, and adjustable triggers, however this trigger arrangement was considered overly complicated, and not popular for target shooting, so BSA then produced the Club No.4 with a one hole trigger block and trigger adjustment via a lock screw direct through the front of the trigger guard.

Production serial numbers ran concurrently with pruduction of other models in the range so it is difficult to be precise about exact dates of production without consulting actual BSA sales legers, however I thing your gun dates from around 1933-34. John Knibbs has access to the actual sales legers so could be more precise about the date.

You have lost the little bead off the forsight, and also the slide on the rearsight is a home made add on as has been said already. I can sort out photo's of those parts so that you can see what they should look like if that is any help. The allen key screw on the auxilliary cocking lever is also a replacement as that should have a standard screw head on.

Hope that helps

lakey

[Gareth W-B]

Reckon edbear2 and/or Lakey are your best bets for info here, and am sure they'll be along soon enough.

Told you.

[edbear2]

As Lakey said......

One thing I would add after seeing the photos is that the tap securing plate looks very loose, and could do with tightening up....it may be worth checking all screws in fact, and if the stock is not tight, the access to the securing bolt/screw is by the small oval wooden trap in the butt...remove the two small screws, and see if the trap tries to come out on it's own* as the screws are withdrawn.

*(they originally had a steel diaphragm spring behind the oval trap to put pressure from within and aid removal , but this is often missing...if the trap does not want to move, resist the temptation to try and pry it out, instead, wind two slightly larger screws a short distance into the original holes,this will allow you to get a bit of purchase)

Remove this.....and you will need a large, long flat bladed screwdriver, or better still, a 3/8 socket extension with a flat blade attachment...this will the the single, large slotted screw that runs through the stock, and screws into the back of the trigger block.

[Gareth W-B]

Reckon edbear2 and/or Lakey are your best bets for info here, and am sure they'll be along soon enough.

Double told you.

[crab]

Hello Again and thank you all for the welcome words. Thank you for confirming my suspicions about the sights, and for the other information. I have spent some time reading up on Bell Target Shooting and have found it to be an interesting bit of history, especially the bit about it having been to improve the shooting skills of the populace in the wake of the Boer war. I am sure it would have done so. It must have been fun to pop down to the local for a few pints and a few shots in those years.
The rifle is destined for a full strip down and cleaning, and to check out the piston seal, spring etc. and then a lube job. New replacement sights have been received from a local supplier, but I did want to be certain of the facts before fitting them.
After that it joins my other rifles which I use to shoot at a can on top of a stick in my garden, at about 40 meters range, whenever the mood takes me. There is something very satisfying about hearing the report and seeing the can spin every time it is hit.
regards
crab.

[watchsapart]

I bought a light pattern yesterday. Will get some pics of it on here, hopefully tomorrow. Its a joy of a thing, so beautifully engineered and shoots great.
Its serial number is L38169 - cheers Paul