BSA Club info?

[mrgeoff]

Hi, a club member had a BSA Club in .177 a while ago, it had a shorter cylinder than a normal Airsporter, stock made from 3 bits of wood, it was a lovely thing, and I have had the hankering for one since as I do like the more compact rifles.

I would like to know more about them, how rare are the short cylinder ones, and how much should I look to pay for a nice usable example?


Thanks!

[Josie & John]

Hi Geoff,

The E prefixed Club is one of the rarer varieties of the Airsporter design and rarely encountered today. It did indeed have a shorter cylinder. The forend was also shorter than the contemporary Airsporter's by 5/8 in. The barrel was tapered just like the Airsporter and trigger adjustment could only be carried out with the stock removed. The rifle had a ‘Shell’ shaped cocking lever release catch and the same turret backsight as the Airsporter. The stock flare on Club models starts in front of trigger guard too. The E prefixed Club was made between late 1948 and 1950, when the cylinder and stock length were increased to that of the Airsporter. According to The Golden Century by John Knibbs, only 2709 of these rifles were made.

I bought the last one I saw for sale and that was a couple of years ago. The rifle shoots very well - I'll bring her to the club one evening as it has been a while since I last used her.

Kind regards,

John

[mel h]

Hi Geoff,

The E prefixed Club is one of the rarer varieties of the Airsporter design and rarely encountered today. It did indeed have a shorter cylinder. The forend was also shorter than the contemporary Airsporter's by 5/8 in. The barrel was tapered just like the Airsporter and trigger adjustment could only be carried out with the stock removed. The rifle had a ‘Shell’ shaped cocking lever release catch and the same turret backsight as the Airsporter. The stock flare on Club models starts in front of trigger guard too. The E prefixed Club was made between late 1948 and 1950, when the cylinder and stock length were increased to that of the Airsporter. According to The Golden Century by John Knibbs, only 2709 of these rifles were made.

I bought the last one I saw for sale and that was a couple of years ago. The rifle shoots very well - I'll bring her to the club one evening as it has been a while since I last used her.

Kind regards,

John

Hi there John, interesting stuff, does the designation 'Club' finish for the .177 when the cylinder was lengthened? I have one (long) and have never been sure what to call it.
Mel.

[Josie & John]

Hi there John, interesting stuff, does the designation 'Club' finish for the .177 when the cylinder was lengthened? I have one (long) and have never been sure what to call it.
Mel.

Hi Mel,

BSA continued to call the longer cylindered 177 the Club until the introduction of the Airsporter Mk2, when both versions were referred to as the Airsporter.

Kind regards,

John

[mel h]

Hi Mel,

BSA continued to call the longer cylindered 177 the Club until the introduction of the Airsporter Mk2, when both versions were referred to as the Airsporter.

Kind regards,

John

Thanks john, I'll keep referring to mine as a Club in that case.
Mel.

[mrgeoff]

Think it's going to be quite a challenge and quite expensive for me to find one of these with only 2709 made!

[slug-gun]

Hi Mel,

BSA continued to call the longer cylindered 177 the Club until the introduction of the Airsporter Mk2, when both versions were referred to as the Airsporter.

Kind regards,

John

For a very short period there was a 'CLUB MK.2', the cylinder being so etched. This is the rarest Club/Airsporter variation of the lot I believe?

[Sam99]

For a very short period there was a 'CLUB MK.2', the cylinder being so etched. This is the rarest Club/Airsporter variation of the lot I believe?

Hello

I think I have a MKII Club.
I have a photo but I am unable to post it on here

Sam

[lafayette]

Hi, a club member had a BSA Club in .177 a while ago, it had a shorter cylinder than a normal Airsporter, stock made from 3 bits of wood, it was a lovely thing, and I have had the hankering for one since as I do like the more compact rifles.

I would like to know more about them, how rare are the short cylinder ones, and how much should I look to pay for a nice usable example?


Thanks!

I have a BSA Club with the E prefix. It has the shorter compression chamber and the shell shaped latch. I think I paid about £280 for it about three years ago. I had it serviced by SFS and it shoots OK although the sights lend themselves only to average accuracy. It was not in good condition when I got it ie. no blueing and the stock had definitely seen better days

I also have one with an EC prefix which is indistinguishable in looks from an Airsporter. It had been refurbished and looks very smart but I believe purist collectors don't go for these as the "BSA" marks on the top have been over blued. This one shoots really well.