Did any other manufactures rival the BSA Prewar Standard?

[45flint]

The BSA from 1904 to 1939 was the industry standard. Whilst other designs existed alongside copies, none IMHO could touch the BSA for simplicity, quality and performance.

I have used Diana and Haenel copies and whilst well made, they did not perform as comfortably or consistently in my hands.

The Webley Service is often compared to the BSA and is probably the nearest, although some say the Webley is harder to shoot accurately. It is also a little less powerful.

John

I had a chance to hold a Webley Service at my last gun show, just a totally different animal. The BSA Standard as I shoot it reminds me of the grace of the classic American Kentucky flintlock rifle.

[Lakey]

The BSA/Lincoln Jeffries under leaver Air Rifle, was a timeless design, featuring the very best materials, and manufacturing techniques available at the time. I dont thing any other rifle came close.

I have used similar rifles by Diana and Haenel, however they dont come close to the quality of workmanship and smoothness of a well fettled BSA. There is a harshness and lack of balance to the German guns, which is different to the BSA's

Webleys are nice, but dont hold a candle to these pre-WW2 BSA's.

Fettling or fine tuning the BSA's is really important, especially for competition guns. Correct lubrication is paramount to achieving a silky smooth firing cycle, and dont be tempted to overspring the guns, as too powerful a spring can leave you with a guns that shakes the fillings in your teeth each time it goes off. Better to have 10.5 ft lbs of sweet accuracy, that 11 ft lbs of jarring impact, which makes the gun unpleasant to use.

Dont forget, if you want to max out on the accuracy of these guns, give the barrel a deep clean when you get it. It will probably be the first time anyone has bothered since the gun was made

Great guns that just seem to work better than they should, and better than most people expect that they will

Lakey

[DT Fletcher]

BSA style .... Greener.