BSA International

[bigpete]

Hi all, ive just (tonight) bought a BSA International with the prefix F *****H number stamped does anyone know what model this makes it ?. Ive a feeling its a mk5. I shoot with an Anshcutz 1413 and have bought this as I fancied a CLASSIC I was very impressed with the trigger weight and feel with no creep, its very crisp and virtually on par with my Anny. Ill give it a go at the range next week. Forgot to mention it has a full length ally accessory rail like a anny.

[tim s]

You can get a rough idea from the Mark no. Look under the breech, if the action is marked:

BSA Martini International (Mk 1) = 1950-53 (?)

BSA Martini International Mk II = 1953-60/61

BSA Martini International Mk III = 1961-1968/69

BSA Martini International Mk IV ISU = 1969-87

BSA Martini International Mk V = 197? - 87 (roughly concurrent to the Mk IV)

The alloy accesory rail sounds like an Mk III, IV, or V. The Mks I and II had a steel plate with threaded holes for the handstop, but it's not unknown for these to have been removed and replaced with the more user-friendly rail.

The proof marks on the barrel should narrow down the date further.

[bigpete]

Many thanks for the info, im now pretty sure its a mk5. Here goes again, I tried to fit a simply bipod to its accessary rail which is fitted like a subframe to the barrel and therefore cannot be changed but it will not slide in, is there a simple Anschutz style bipod available for this rifle. While I am on the subject I wish to shoot with a single point sling with an anschutz style ball fitting to the rifle, any ideas please anyone ?

[tim s]

If the fore-end has an aluminium spar, and it's bolted to the barrel (not cantilevered out from the action), then it's either a Mk IV or V. These are essentially the same rifle, the Mk V has heavy barrrel, and the MK IV a lighter one.

To the best of my knowledge there is no bipod specifically for a BSA Mk IV or V. However the BSA rail is not very different to the Anschutz. Some Anschutz bipods and handstops will fit smoothly, others will be a little tight, and others will need to be filed slightly.

If you want an ball-end sling fitting, this means a choice of two handstops; the black plastic 4751, and the alloy 4733. The 4751 is a very large stop and only comfortably fits large hands without modification (but as it's plastic, it is easy to trim the sides). The 4733 is a smaller round alloy stop, but was discontinued some years ago.

[bigpete]

Many thanks for that, I have a Anny black plastic handstop spare I will set about it with a file tomorrow