BSA Mercury S

[Muskett]

The first S's were blond, both Mercury and Airsporter, circa 1982?? Very blond. Mid to late 80's a much darker colour done similar to the Century. And later still some even darker S's came out, though few had much stripe to the colour. Some only have chequering on the grip and then the Challenger came out as the flagship break barrel.
I suspect yours is either a lucky late one or a refurbished which has had some staining put in. I'm hoping its the former and then you have a very tasty example well worth cherishing. Collectors of BSA's would love it.

Mint in box then well worth a hefty premium, though unlikely to break that £300 barrier (the blonds $250). Excellent then still a good premium but under £200. Well used but nice then as a shooter and not that much, £140. A good amount were made, but then most were heavily used and abused so good examples are not so common.
The S's were expensive compared to the competition. Getting to the price range of a FWB Sport or HW35, both of which were better mousetraps.

[Muskett]

While we are on 80's BSA's then these all shoot really well with their iron sights.

If you must scope them then they really demand nothing bigger than a 3-9x40. A 3-9x32 AO would be very nice. Frankly a 4x40 would hit anything in the farmyard. Annoyingly BSA branded scopes weren't often found and those that were weren't very good. Most the nasty 4x20's that have stamped metal mounts. For the blonds there were some 2-7x20/24/32??? with gold front ring and better glass. Sorry I haven't seen on example for a while, but they were 2-7x???.

Mounts then there is a set back Apel mount. Sportsmatch did them too but are bulkier. BSA scope groves aren't deep and scope creep was rife. Arrester blocks of various forms were about including one that needed drilling into the rear block.

BSA really didn't make life easy for us. Only sorted when the Challenger and Silverstar/Goldstar came out.

A well sorted Mercury is fast to load and hits with a punch. They can be tuned a tad to be smooth and well able to hit anything within the farmyard with a bit of practice and trigger time. Young eyes help with iron sights.

[kash2001]

Luv a blond of the .22 variety of course.

I remember an article in airgun world or similar I think written by John Darling back in the day using a blond .22 mercury s. Helped get me into shooting that did

Lovely guns.

Atb

[Inspector 71]

Probably one of the most attractive air rifles ever produced. Classic lines; simple, elegant and so purposeful looking.
Such a pity that the triggers are bloody awful.

That is a real stunner OP.

[johnbaz]

I have one of the lighter walnut Airsporter 'S', Have to say, I like the stock but that dark one of the op's is just gorgeous!!






John

[Brickhill]

Good evening gents, Nige the OP here.

I appreciate greatly the kind comments you have posted. Thank you. Hopefully we all see the preservation of one of the truly great British air guns as something close to our hearts and something worth seeing too.

I bought my "S" from a lovely fella and this is what i bought.





It takes a lot of work, love, attention and a bit of money to restore a gun. I wonder whether i should have just left it alone but for me the work done on it has been worth the effort. I'll never sell this gun but hope to pass it on to somebody that'll appreciate a gun from Birmingham as part of our heritage.

[Brickhill]

Probably one of the most attractive air rifles ever produced. Classic lines; simple, elegant and so purposeful looking.
Such a pity that the triggers are bloody awful.

That is a real stunner OP.

Looks and lines, can't be matched Imspector 71. In utter agreement. I can't quite agree with you about the trigger, once it's fettled and the burrs filed and out of factory stuff is polished it's as smooth as you like.

[Brickhill]

The first S's were blond, both Mercury and Airsporter, circa 1982?? Very blond. Mid to late 80's a much darker colour done similar to the Century. And later still some even darker S's came out, though few had much stripe to the colour. Some only have chequering on the grip and then the Challenger came out as the flagship break barrel.
I suspect yours is either a lucky late one or a refurbished which has had some staining put in. I'm hoping its the former and then you have a very tasty example well worth cherishing. Collectors of BSA's would love it.

Mint in box then well worth a hefty premium, though unlikely to break that £300 barrier (the blonds $250). Excellent then still a good premium but under £200. Well used but nice then as a shooter and not that much, £140. A good amount were made, but then most were heavily used and abused so good examples are not so common.
The S's were expensive compared to the competition. Getting to the price range of a FWB Sport or HW35, both of which were better mousetraps.

Thanks for your reply, i'm sorry to say my gun has been refurbished. This one shoots as it should. Shame on BSA not embracing competitors of the time and finishing BSA guns properly, i say.