Old BSA identification

[arbe]

Hi

I am baby sitting an old BSA Serial No L37551 (in .177 and working order) whilst my friend moves house.

It belonged to his father but has no idea as to its history, but would like to know. i.e. its age etc.

I have spent several hours trying to add the picture as an attachment but have given up now.

I can always email a picture if anyone is interested.

It could possibly be available for sale, but have no clue as to value at this stage.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Arbe

[Lakey]

Arbe,

What you have there is a BSA 'Standard' No 1 Bore (.177) Air rifle in Light or Ladies Pattern. It is an underlever model with a push button end to the cocking lever under the barrel. This was a new model made by BSA,which took over from their previous model (The Improved Model D) in 1919.I would say that your rifle was probably made in early 1920 and would have cost 4 pounds,0 shillings,0 pence. Which was around a months wages for an unskilled worker. So they were very expensive at the time.
That style of gun was originally designed by a man called George Lincoln Jeffries, in around 1905.First made by him, it was later made by BSA, who eventually bought all rights to the design and made the guns up until 1939, and the outbreak of world war two.
Along with the small .177 light pattern, there was a bigger .22 sporting pattern, which was 45.5 inches long and a lot more powerful for vermin shooting .
There rifles are classics and a lot more accurate that most people realise. Your rifle should have a two hole trigger block, with the weight of the trigger set by the factory. A few years later BSA designed an adjustable trigger mechanism, which was housed in a three hole trigger block.

All in all you have a classic airgun, which could be valued at between 120 and 150 quid in average to good order (all original parts with some bluing) really good to mint ones are around 200-250 quid.

Hope that info helps

ATB

Lakey

[arbe]

Thanks for that very useful information. I hadn't got a clue where to start looking.

It would appear to be the three hole one with a trigger adjustment screw, I have sent a picture to Lakey who may put me right if I am wrong.

One of the other members has offered to post some pictures of the BSA on this page at some time, which would be nice.

I am afraid there is no blueing left on it and the stock has seen its fair share of knocks.

I'll update if the real owner wants rid of it.

Arbe

[Lakey]

Sorry Folks, I dated this one as if it was a 3700 number instead of the 37000 number

Having seen the pictures it looks like a late Light Pattern standard of around 1936ish. It does have the three hole trigger block and the flattened loading area. Also the underlever pivot is a pin and not a screw. All together that makes it a late model 'L' not the early one which I first concluded it was.

ATB

Lakey

[Gareth W-B]

Sorry Folks, I dated this one as if it was a 3700 number instead of the 37000 number

Having seen the pictures it looks like a late Light Pattern standard of around 1936ish. It does have the three hole trigger block and the flattened loading area. Also the underlever pivot is a pin and not a screw. All together that makes it a late model 'L' not the early one which I first concluded it was.

Sorry Andy, that just isn't good enough . I think you'd better take yourself out back and do something really beastly to yourself as penance (either that or we will force you to watch a BSA Military Pattern being hand painted camo ). Ha ha! As usual I am in awe of your amassed knowledge. You really should commit some of it to paper you know so that it doesn't become lost when the red wine finally takes it's toll . Atb: Gareth.

[Lakey]

Gareth you are too kind

I too am in awe of most of the guys who frequent the collectors corner as well. My specialist area is quite a small one, however some of the guys on here seem to know a lot about everything.
If you want an answer about any old airgun, ask it in "collectors corner" and someone is soon around with the answer.

I dont know what we used to do before this forum was created, but I know I wouldn't want to go back

Lakey

( PS, Most of what I know I only recycle from the writings of the acknowledged 'master' Mr John Knibbs)

[Lakey]

Here are some pictures of arbe's BSA pre-war underlever. I understand from him that it may be soon to be up for sale. If so here are the pictures for any prespective buyers.
I have e-mailed arbe to let him know I have posted these pictures, so I dare say he will put up a price etc.









Regard's

Lakey

[arbe]

Thanks Lakey and Troubledshooter for your informative replies. Obviously experts in your fields. I was lucky to find you.

Arbe