Quote Originally Posted by Huttles94 View Post
Lincoln Jeffries started to make his iconic rifle in the early 1900s at his Steelhouse lane workshop. The first batch of Lincoln jeffries rifles were made from 1901-1904. This was serial number 1 to 129.

After this LJ went to BSA and showed them his design and soon after the first batch of Lincoln Jeffries rifles made by BSA were released and after that, both LJ made rifles and BSA made ones were released simultaneously.

I cant remember exactly why LJ went to BSA but I think it was mainly since LJ only had a small team of skilled staff and so his output was very limited. So a keen business man, he goes to the largest arms maker of the time in England. It just so happened that BSA at the time were in a bit of trouble. The UK was not at war and so arms manufacturing was a bit slow. So when LJ came along with his air rifle, BSA jumped at the chance since what else did they have to do? So it made a nice income for LJ and BSA.

That is also why Lincoln made rifles are rarer than BSA made ones, simply less were made. Sure they were made in different factories but from the same designs so parts can be interchangeable.

The last batch of Lincoln rifles to roll out of his factory were in 1912/13. Do not know why LJ stopped but that was it. After this, all were made by BSA (I think BSA dropped the Lincoln jeffries pattern markings on their rifles around the same time or maybe a bit earlier, not sure).
LJ made the first 'pre production' models but from SN 130 onward, both Lincolns and BSAs were made side by side at the BSA factory. LJ was contracted by BSA to take delivery of batches of Lincolns, whether this was convenient to him or not. The Lincolns were then assembled at Lincoln Jeffries' premises and sighted in. BSA supplied parts to LJ after they had become obsolete and upgraded by BSA, which is why you often see parts like the 'long' tap lever fitted to Lincolns with relatively high serial numbers in the 20000s.

Lincoln production ceased after BSA acquired the patents from LJ and from then on, only BSAs were produced.


Just a thought Gareth - on late Lincolns, the serial number is sometimes stamped under the barrel, where you found the '49' mark. Sometimes you have to remove the cocking lever to see it - may be worth a look?

John