What a great find, and in that condition as well. along with all the history that you have on the owner. l would have thought that the custom part done on the stock would have been done in the US rather than back at BSA.
The collector formerly known as micky
What a great find, and in that condition as well. along with all the history that you have on the owner. l would have thought that the custom part done on the stock would have been done in the US rather than back at BSA.
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More I think about it I agree he was a prominent shooter and I’m sure would have contacts with gunshops that would customize his guns. I also looked at English guns in this period I don’t see fluting. I also looked at the checkering and it’s done a little differently than BSA did at the factory. Actually done a little cleaner?Originally Posted by micky2
If he did order this work to be done it does show he did think a lot of this gun to go to that trouble and expense. He lived in the Chicago area which has nasty cold winters, probably his indoor winter companion?
Custom
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Bsa Factory 1919 handcut. They always had a border which is a nice detail but some of the work not quite as clean?
Last edited by 45flint; 06-08-2020 at 01:20 PM.
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A very nice acquisition Flint.
What stands out to me is the checkering is courser and deeper than original. The overall pattern shape and the finish of the checkering is a bit dodgy in my opinion.
Otherwise, I would be seriously tempted
Last edited by slow_runner; 06-08-2020 at 01:15 PM.
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Interesting comment I would pick the custom in a heartbeat? Bottom looks a bit “factory” to me edges not quite as sharp. The courser and deeper lends to a better effect to me, but it’s the checkering combined with the new contour that is much better than the original. Certainly better than my 1920 which is pressed? But probably owners prejudice! LolA very nice acquisition Flint.
What stands out to me is the checkering is courser and deeper than original. The overall pattern shape and the finish of the checkering is a bit dodgy in my opinion.
Otherwise, I would be seriously tempted
Last edited by 45flint; 06-08-2020 at 02:13 PM.
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When looking on the internet to fill in the gaps on the history of this guns I saw that the owner had one son. Looked him up and he was KIA in 1944 30 days after he landed on Omaha Beach. 20 years old. He probably shot this rifle sometime growing up?
Last edited by 45flint; 06-08-2020 at 04:02 PM.
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I wonder if our Eddie has seen these wonderful guns.
It would be great to see Edbear's take on both of these very fine BSAs.
John
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To better explain my opinion Flint.
The checkering does not follow the stock lower contour well and the end section at the fore end is abrupt(straight); against the overall flowing design,
It is better represented and familiar on examples of original hand checkering and on the pressed version.
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Don’t disagree with that straight line, but still take hand checking over pressed. The the original design with its edge line is a better design for sure but looking closely it wasn’t particularly well executed, especially in that curved detail you like? Kind of like someone with a hundred more to do? Normally I would be in horror of any change to a vintage original rifle but since this was done contemporary to its manufacture and part of the history of the piece so it is very cool to me? Part of the story, even to the slight chip on the butt stock? All good.
Last edited by 45flint; 06-08-2020 at 04:53 PM.
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There is nothing like piecework to destroy an artisans enthusiasm.
Given that, the talent performing the checkering is admirable.
A one off would be expected to be a step above.
My observation is incidental given the quality and provenance of that Light Pattern.
Yours is a fine looking example of the great early BSA Flint. I love them.
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