BSA pistol grip cap

[gingernut]

RFD having a sort out and I spotted one of these in original packaging.

Only bit missing on my airsporter MK11
I said I will buy this.
He said no you can have it!

I think that's what they call goodwill.

[johnbaz]

Well done Ginge

Sounds like your RFD is a good sort mate



John

[Josie & John]

Excellent result but I thought the caps were only fitted to Mk! Airsporters and Clubs?

[gingernut]

I didn't know that.
It says fits all BSA Mercury and Airsporter models.
Will find rifle and check!

[Josie & John]

I didn't know that.
It says fits all BSA Mercury and Airsporter models.
Will find rifle and check!

Hi Patrick,

The Mk 1 has a thread for a cap but on the Mk 2 onwards, the recess is a lot narrower and the stock bolt sits just within the pistol grip recess, as opposed to well within it on the Mk 1.

My Centenary also has a cap, which I assumed was a specialised accessory for that model. I wonder if it was also offered as an optional add on for Mercurys and later Airsporrters?

Incidentally, if anyone has need of a Mk 1 cap, Protek do a very good replacement, which is difficult to tell from an original.

John

[DEAN C.]

I think we have gone around this subject before and it is confusing.
Some later Mk1's were made with a bolt. There also seems to be a mystery surrounding when 3 the piece and one piece stocks were used and which were walnut and beech etc.etc, but I know there are some guns with swapped stocks, I have a Mk2 with a Mk1 stock for instance.

My Mk 1 GB prefix came with a bolt not stud from new though. My Dad bought it new off the shelf in 57/58 and it has never been messed with or even seen the inside of a gunshop since. It has still never been opened up to check the insides. It is well used though and running at 7 1/2 ft lbs but very sweet to shoot.

The cap referred to sounds like the later genuine centenary logo cap that was fitted to certain models late 70's, or could be bought as an extra to make them look like the HW custom guns. I dont think it wouldn't look right on a Mk2 though, they weren't available then.Nice find though. There were a few coming up on the auction site three or four years ago but not seen many since.

[Josie & John]

I think we have gone around this subject before and it is confusing.
Some later Mk1's were made with a bolt. There also seems to be a mystery surrounding when 3 the piece and one piece stocks were used and which were walnut and beech etc.etc, but I know there are some guns with swapped stocks, I have a Mk2 with a Mk1 stock for instance.

My Mk 1 GB prefix came with a bolt not stud from new though. My Dad bought it new off the shelf in 57/58 and it has never been messed with or even seen the inside of a gunshop since. It has still never been opened up to check the insides. It is well used though and running at 7 1/2 ft lbs but very sweet to shoot.

The cap referred to sounds like the later genuine centenary logo cap that was fitted to certain models late 70's, or could be bought as an extra to make them look like the HW custom guns. I dont think it wouldn't look right on a Mk2 though, they weren't available then.Nice find though. There were a few coming up on the auction site three or four years ago but not seen many since.

Taking aside transitional models and stock swaps, a BSA spare parts diagram for the Mk1 Airsporter/Club that I have and which is dated 1958 includes the Stock Filler Plug on the exploded diagram. A later diagram for the Mk 2 shows the revised stock bolt arrangement.

Agreed the cap Gingernut has 'blagged' sounds like a later Centenary type, although I don't recall seeing them advertised as an optional accessory. Then again, my memory is not what it used to be! Also agree it would look out of place on an earlier rifle.

John

[gingernut]

You are right John. It doesn't fit.
On the bright side it wasn't missing as I thought.
I think it might be the Centenary one but mate Peter has one without cap and a capless MK 1 so it will find a home.

[Josie & John]

You are right John. It doesn't fit.
On the bright side it wasn't missing as I thought.
I think it might be the Centenary one but mate Peter has one without cap and a capless MK 1 so it will find a home.

Can't be many spare caps about, so good to hear it will see some use.

See you at the Trafalgar?

Kind regards,

John

[gingernut]

I shall be there Saturday and avoiding anything powered by co2!
Don't ask!

[DEAN C.]

Taking aside transitional models and stock swaps, a BSA spare parts diagram for the Mk1 Airsporter/Club that I have and which is dated 1958 includes the Stock Filler Plug on the exploded diagram. A later diagram for the Mk 2 shows the revised stock bolt arrangement.

Agreed the cap Gingernut has 'blagged' sounds like a later Centenary type, although I don't recall seeing them advertised as an optional accessory. Then again, my memory is not what it used to be! Also agree it would look out of place on an earlier rifle.

John

Sorry I didnt mean to imply BSA had advertised them to fit to other guns, rather that other sellers had them in stock in later years and advertised them to fit other models of Airsporter/Mercury.Why a quantity of spare ones were about for a limited edition model I dont know.

[Josie & John]

Sorry I didnt mean to imply BSA had advertised them to fit to other guns, rather that other sellers had them in stock in later years and advertised them to fit other models of Airsporter/Mercury.Why a quantity of spare ones were about for a limited edition model I dont know.

Ah, that makes sense - I was staring to wonder if my poor memory was playing up again!

[gingernut]

Emailed you pic of it.
Should have thought of that sooner!

[Josie & John]

Emailed you pic of it.
Should have thought of that sooner!

Thanks Gingernut,

Looks just like the cap on my Centenary and the accompanying leaflet does indeed suggest it was an optional accessory for some of BSA's other rifles. A nice find.

See, I didn't even mention CO2!

John