BSA Mercury - Early ones .....

[Sam99]

The very early Mercury's - were they blued or are they all black enamelled ??
FYI - I am aware of the Mercury S being blued.

Does anyone have a mint very early one ???
If so , a photo would be appreciated - Thanks

Thanks

Nick

[Airsporter56]

I’ve got a Mercury tucked away in my collection. I’ll dig it out and see if I can date it!

[look no hands]

I’ve got a Mercury tucked away in my collection. I’ll dig it out and see if I can date it!

If it helps with identification, the mk1 and 2s had one piece cocking arms and a long slot under the stock.

[Sam99]

Thank You - I look forward to that .

[Willenium]

I used to have an early Mercury and it was black enamel.

[Tinram]

Blacked. I have a Mk1. “Z” serial no (1971 to 1973) the .177’s in Mk1 will have a serial no beginning with WA hope that helps 👍

[Brad3]

For clarity, the MK1 Mercury was designed as a step up from the Meteor, carrying over the Black Enamel finish of the Meteor and pivot arrangement. However, it was quickly upgraded to a Blued finish like the Airsporter, with the arrival of the MK2 probably in alignment with the outset of AGW which was show casing all the blued guns it was lining up against at the time.

In reality the Mercury was very underrated, with the Airsporter assumed to be the flagship model to aim for.
Many regretting trading in their Mercuries for Airsporters as I did.
Even today, a Mercury will hold its own even though the slab sided stock and lack of threaded pivot demonstrate it as an outdated design.
I can attest to the fact that it outshot the Airsporter, Original 50/35 (which were ineffient designs) and I found it more accurate then the lively BSF. More powerful than a HW35 and only really whipped by the arrival of the FWB Sport at that time.
Ok this was before the advent of the HW80/77 which pretty much killed off the BSA springers but a good gun.

[erichtfisherman]

The mark III models were blued. I've had a few in the past. Regards Tim

[Leepelletb]

Mk1 and mk2 black enameled mk3s and mercury s were blued. I've always thought this anyway.

[look no hands]

For clarity, the MK1 Mercury was designed as a step up from the Meteor, carrying over the Black Enamel finish of the Meteor and pivot arrangement. However, it was quickly upgraded to a Blued finish like the Airsporter, with the arrival of the MK2 probably in alignment with the outset of AGW which was show casing all the blued guns it was lining up against at the time.

In reality the Mercury was very underrated, with the Airsporter assumed to be the flagship model to aim for.
Many regretting trading in their Mercuries for Airsporters as I did.
Even today, a Mercury will hold its own even though the slab sided stock and lack of threaded pivot demonstrate it as an outdated design.
I can attest to the fact that it outshot the Airsporter, Original 50/35 (which were ineffient designs) and I found it more accurate then the lively BSF. More powerful than a HW35 and only really whipped by the arrival of the FWB Sport at that time.
Ok this was before the advent of the HW80/77 which pretty much killed off the BSA springers but a good gun.

The mk3 onwards had the barrel pivot bolt setup, that improved things greatly.

[Brad3]

The mk3 onwards had the barrel pivot bolt setup, that improved things greatly.

My Mercury MK2 was blued, meaning there must have been a transition period of some Mk2 s being blued until all blued Mk3 but I was convinced the the adjustable threaded bolt pivot came only with the arrival S version but I'd stand corrected. Not 100% by any means.

[look no hands]

The mk3 onwards had the barrel pivot bolt setup, that improved things greatly.

Sorry, I meant to say the mk4 had the bolt, the mk3 onwards used the articulated cocking arm.

[Big Seth]

My 177 Mercury from 1979 (ish) had a blued cylinder and enamelled barrel. Serial no NH67798. I had a bolt fitted to replace the breech pin.

[Mikeymoo]

My 177 Mercury from 1979 (ish) had a blued cylinder and enamelled barrel. Serial no NH67798. I had a bolt fitted to replace the breech pin.

NH serial numbers were for Meteors not Mercury's

[Big Seth]

NH serial numbers were for Meteors not Mercury's

I know. This has come up on the forum before. This number I quoted is the number on the Final Inspection cert that came with my rifle. I have the cert in front of me. I've never had a new Meteor.. I have owned x3 new BSA rifles and have kept each of their the Inspection Certificates.