BSA Improved Model D Value ?

[jedburgh]

I've tried to send various photos over time & nothing works except FB messages

Then I fear you are on your own .

[Bellycrawler]

Sort of update. It seems to be a junior model but doesn't match specs I've looked at on Google. A bit of a mystery for now. What ever it actually is it's certainly not a std improved model d so with that in mind I think i will keep it for a short time at least while I try to dig up more info maybe even try a few pellets through it ? At first I thought get a quick value & sell it on to someone to make something of it, now the value seems irrelevant it's more curiosity about the rifle itself now.

[Abasmajor]

Sort of update. It seems to be a junior model but doesn't match specs I've looked at on Google. A bit of a mystery for now. What ever it actually is it's certainly not a std improved model d so with that in mind I think i will keep it for a short time at least while I try to dig up more info maybe even try a few pellets through it ? At first I thought get a quick value & sell it on to someone to make something of it, now the value seems irrelevant it's more curiosity about the rifle itself now.

The BSA Improved Mod D Standard Pattern is 43 3/4 “ in length.
The Light Pattern is 39 1/4” in length.
The Junior Pattern is 34 3/4 “ in length.

Hope this helps.

Brian

[Bellycrawler]

More info now suggests juvenile not junior, one of a 499 in a years (12 months) production run.

[Abasmajor]

More info now suggests juvenile not junior, one of a 499 in a years (12 months) production run.

The Juvenile has a flip-up rear sight and a side button cocking lever release, whereas the Junior has a conventional turret rear sight and a bayonet style cocking lever.

Brian

[Bellycrawler]

The Juvenile has a flip-up rear sight and a side button cocking lever release, whereas the Junior has a conventional turret rear sight and a bayonet style cocking lever.

Brian

That's what mine has. Also found 11 1/4 stamped on the stock. Now I'm starting to use better search key words more info comes to light. When I tried bsa improved model d the info was very basic, better key words better info. Still no idea of value assuming working but very rough cosmetics.

[KWK1]

The Juvenile has a flip-up rear sight and a side button cocking lever release, whereas the Junior has a conventional turret rear sight and a bayonet style cocking lever.

Brian

Not necessarily. There were various sight options.

[Abasmajor]

That's what mine has. Also found 11 1/4 stamped on the stock. Now I'm starting to use better search key words more info comes to light. When I tried bsa improved model d the info was very basic, better key words better info. Still no idea of value assuming working but very rough cosmetics.

Take a look at Danny’s Vintage Airgun Gallery site where you will find lots of pictures and information regarding all of the early BSA air rifles.

Brian

[Bellycrawler]

I'm getting closer to what it might actually be, I'm really curious now. With better key words it now is very possibly one of 1097 juvenile rifles according to one seemingly knowledgeable website, first batch started 1912 & possibly the 5th one made. I'm well aware Web info can be misleading, conflicting, confusing on the best of days. So far the above is the closest I've got. I know people say put photos up, im struggling with that while seeing info with photos of identical features to mine so any photos of mine won't help with information they will only show condition / value. I'm now not interested in value as I won't sell untill I find out 100% what it is. Photos on the Web of a juvenile with a pistol grip will show exactly what mine looks like in every way,

[silva]

The Juvenile has a narrower cylinder than the Junior model.

[Bellycrawler]

The Juvenile has a narrower cylinder than the Junior model.

Thanks, I did spot that info early on but now I can't find it. One of them was 1 1/4" ??

[micky2]

l sold mine last year in what sounds like a little bit better condition that yours is in, without the rear sight for £240 if that helps

[Bellycrawler]

l sold mine last year in what sounds like a little bit better condition that yours is in, without the rear sight for £240 if that helps

Thankyou. Found some more info about measurements & it confirmed it's a juvenile. Seems like I'm sorted for now, plenty of info I didn't know existed about the Model D & that I have an oddity (my description) not a bog standard rifle. I actually liked research this time compared to other Google searches. A value was my original quest & now fulfilled. Thanks to all replies, most interesting. My next silly question in a new post will I suspect be about preparation before I attempt to shoot a target or two.

[Abasmajor]

Thankyou. Found some more info about measurements & it confirmed it's a juvenile. Seems like I'm sorted for now, plenty of info I didn't know existed about the Model D & that I have an oddity (my description) not a bog standard rifle. I actually liked research this time compared to other Google searches. A value was my original quest & now fulfilled. Thanks to all replies, most interesting. My next silly question in a new post will I suspect be about preparation before I attempt to shoot a target or two.

Glad you finally confirmed the identity of your BSA Improved Mod D Juvenile. The similarly sized Junior was essentially a cut-down version of the Light pattern, whereas the Juvenile was specifically designed for the younger generation of shooters. As far as I’m aware the only other air rifle BSA produced specifically for this market was the much later Merlin.
If it were mine, I would confine myself to restoring it’s functionality and perhaps some sympathetic, light restoration and then enjoy it for what it is.

Brian

[Bellycrawler]

It had been an interesting research Brian. I would like to have a go with it but open sights are a challenge at my age. My adventure with it will begin with a new post asking for pre shoot preparation, hopefully without tinkering. I'm just a caretaker of it & I would like its eventual new caretaker to look after it as it deserves & that person will have more knowledge / experience about it than I have to do it full justice.