Andy Chamberlain Posted 12 May , 2022 Share Posted 12 May , 2022 Hello I acquired a BSA 1915 dated mk 111* which I believe must be an early mk111* being 1915, also most of the serial numbers match barrel, bolt, nosecap etc , but I need help with disiphering some of the markings and the significance of the Y above the serial number, and are all parts original to 1915 or has it been repaired and replaced at some time ? Hopefully some of the more learned members will be able to give me some answers ? Regards Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 12 May , 2022 Share Posted 12 May , 2022 (edited) The Y is the serial number prefix. So the complete serial number is Y91548. The barrel was replaced with one made in 1940 at RSAF Enfield. It was an official rebarreling and stamped to match receiver etc The cocking piece also appears to be Enfield produced. The bolt head is stamped NS which indicates "difference in specification" Chris Edited 12 May , 2022 by 4thGordons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Chamberlain Posted 12 May , 2022 Author Share Posted 12 May , 2022 Thanks for that Chris, wasn't sure if tha broad arrow 40 was a reissue date or new barrel manurfacture date ? Also thought should have oval cocking piece not oblong block type, so I presume rifle would have been in storage and then repaired and reissued in 1940 ? Regards Andy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 12 May , 2022 Share Posted 12 May , 2022 Yes I suspect refinished early in WWII. RSAF Enfield got numerous contracts from 1937 on to repair and refurbish rifles from stocks Eg on 13/9/1940 there were two contracts for 37,767 rifles to repair, 17.354 to recondition. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Chamberlain Posted 12 May , 2022 Author Share Posted 12 May , 2022 Okay thanks again , I don't suppose you can trace it's service life by the serial number ? Would be amazing to find out where it's been and with which units ? If only they could talk. With regards it being a mk111* and dated 1915 would it be one of the first mk111*s to be made ? Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 12 May , 2022 Share Posted 12 May , 2022 Nope - can't tell anything from the serial number as far as units/usage etc unfortunately. It is very. very uncommon to reliably link a surviving rifle to a particular service history. Yes, a 1915 BSA MkIII* is one of the earlier ones but quite a lot were made (BSA produced more than a quarter of a million rifles in 1915) The observed data collected by the Enfield Research Associates (coordinated by the late Skip Stratton) suggested that the BSA changeover to MkIII* happened somewhere between X81971 and Y40723 so your rifles was relatively early. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Chamberlain Posted 13 May , 2022 Author Share Posted 13 May , 2022 Wow amazing information I find all this fascinating thanks. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now