Birmingham Small Arms Co. (BSA)

[whitecoyote]

I recently acquired this BSA rifle, 30-06 caliber.
The rifle has a 22" barrel with a integral brake, flip up iron sights (100/200/300), Parker-Hale scope rings, B. Nickel Marburgil 2.5x6 scope (made in Germany).
I did a Internet search, what I came up with was a BSA Majestic Featherweight De Luxe rifle.
I believe it was manufactured in 1959.
Serial #7D29xx
Hopefully there is a BSA expert here that can fill me in on exactly what I have.
Thanks!

 

[Texas Star]

The BSA line was well known. You can see one being shot in Jack O'Connor's, The Complete Book of Rifles and Shotguns and he discussed it briefly.

I really like the looks of these classic-stocked examples. The Winchester M-70 Fwt. Classic largely resembles that.

I had one in the later Monte Carlo stock. I shot it with iron sights, not being able to afford a decent scope then. It was a .30-06. I don't think the barrel was cut for the BESA brake. Recoil was quite heavy.

Herter's used to sell a rifle they made up on BSA actions. Called it the U-9.

With the Nickel scope, I wouldn't be surprised if you have a rifle originally bought by a GI stationed in Europe. The point is, you have it, and if the scope isn't fogged, you have a very nice hunting rig.

Remember Stan Brock, the Englishman who appeared on Marlin Perkins's TV wildlife shows? He had one when he lived in South America. I read a book by him. Seemed to like it.

BSA made many military Lee-Enfields and sporting rifles on that action and converted some ex-military .303's to sporting configuration. Did some P-14s, too, I think.

They and Parker-Hale were the big rifle makers in the UK. The famous names like Jeffery, H&H, Purdey, etc. are very expensive custom makers. BSA was priced more in line with Winchester, Remington, et al.

I saw a 7mm like yours in a Denver store about 1963-64, but was a poor airman and couldn't afford it. I still regret not being able to buy it.

That muzzle brake is going to make a .30-06 LOUD. But it'll kick less, and in that light a rifle, that'll be a boon.

I hope fervently that you'll keep and enjoy the rifle. You got an interesting arm. If not, I hope it finds a home where it'll be appreciated.

P.S. I note that "variable" is misspelled on the scope. Is that how Germans spell it? Nickel was a well known brand. I do hope the scope doesn't show internal fogging; many used ones do. People leave the guns, binoculars, etc. in hot cars and the seals and any glue inside vaporize onto the lenses and prisms.

 

[LittleCooner]

Exactly what you have is a well made rifle, something that is not made today. I love that hand checkering in your photos. If this thing shoots great, then is like all this gun stuff we own, only accurate guns are interesting and worth keeping (called keepers, the others are trade material). Wow, what a find. I do not have a clue what your paid for it, but its worth every penny you spent, go shoot and enjoy. Love the proof marks, and proofed at 36,000 pounds per square inch, wow. I have never saw something like that on a barrel, but then, I have never looked at a 65 year old BSA before.

 

[loeman]

I always loved the BSA small arms logo with the rifle tripod. Please forgive the off-topic, thread drift response but BSA means motorcycles to me! In 1967 as a senior in high school, I bought my 2nd motorcycle, a 1963 BSA Super Rocket. A single carb 650 cc beauty. Styling and performance were great but electrics not so much.

 

[Jebus35745]

I have 3 BSA Martini cadets and love the name. Very accurate guns. Mine are single shots with a love it or hate it receiver. I'm sure your bolt action is a great shooter. BSA has a good reputation with quality. Let us know how it does at the range, Larry

 

[whitecoyote]

With the Nickel scope, I wouldn't be surprised if you have a rifle originally bought by a GI stationed in Europe. The point is, you have it, and if the scope isn't fogged, you have a very nice hunting rig.
I hope fervently that you'll keep and enjoy the rifle. You got an interesting arm. If not, I hope it finds a home where it'll be appreciated.

P.S. I note that "variable" is misspelled on the scope. Is that how Germans spell it? Nickel was a well known brand. I do hope the scope doesn't show internal fogging; many used ones do. People leave the guns, binoculars, etc. in hot cars and the seals and any glue inside vaporize onto the lenses and prisms.

Thanks for all the replies.......
From what I understand, I am the second owner of this rifle, and it was was bought "over seas" by a G.I. (I have to get more clarification on that).
The scope is perfect in every way, no fogging, lenses are crystal clear.
The reticules looks like a "T" type post. Varies from 2.5 to 6 power.

 

[whitecoyote]

Terrible picture, but these are the reticules from the scope.

 

[CptCurl]

Nice rifle, but it will be hard on your ears with that muzzle break.

You can discern the year of proof from the Viewer's Date Mark. That is the rearmost stamp on the barrel with the crossed broadswords. I can't make out the details from your photos, but here is the scoop on that stamp:

By the way, British proofing was done in the long ton, or imperial ton, which is 2,240 lbs. Many riddles with the Brits.!

Curl

 

[whitecoyote]

Nice rifle, but it will be hard on your ears with that muzzle break.

You can discern the year of proof from the Viewer's Date Mark. That is the rearmost stamp on the barrel with the crossed broadswords. I can't make out the details from your photos, but here is the scoop on that stamp:

By the way, British proofing was done in the long ton, or imperial ton, which is 2,240 lbs. Many riddles with the Brits.!

Curl

It's hard to make out the code letter. Checking the letter out under a magnifying glass it appears to be a letter "J", which according to the chart the BSA was manufactured in 1958.

 

[2152hq]

Nice rifle. A featherweight model for sure with it's cut down left receiver wall. TG and floor plate should be aluminum.

It may be a BSA Royal instead of a Majestic model.
The Royal Models were the first of the line and were replaced by the Majestic model in '59 (give or take a few months either way of course).
A proof date of '58 could be a late Royal or a very early Majestic model.

Easy way to tell them apart though...
The earlier Royal used an outside the bolt full length extractor like a Mauser or Springfield.
The later Majestic Model uses a small spring loaded C shaped claw is fitted into the face of the bolt and it snaps over the cartridge rim as the round is chambered.

Another small difference is on the Royal, you can see the cocking piece at the rear of the bolt shroud.
On the Majestic, the bolt shroud is completely enclosed. A small indicator pin marked in red pokes up from the shroud when the striker is cocked.

One more change in the models in about the mid 60's and the action became the Monarch Model.
Around '68 they dropped the integral scope mt bases milled into the actions.
Don't loose those mounts!, they are hard to find by themselves generally. They are excellent mounts. The rear mount has a pin that sits in a hole in the rear bridge of the action to secure the entire scope & mt assembly from movement under recoil.

The actions Herters imported as the U9 were the Monarch style w/o the rails.

 

[whitecoyote]

Nice rifle. A featherweight model for sure with it's cut down left receiver wall. TG and floor plate should be aluminum.

It may be a BSA Royal instead of a Majestic model.
The Royal Models were the first of the line and were replaced by the Majestic model in '59 (give or take a few months either way of course).
A proof date of '58 could be a late Royal or a very early Majestic model.

Easy way to tell them apart though...
The earlier Royal used an outside the bolt full length extractor like a Mauser or Springfield.
The later Majestic Model uses a small spring loaded C shaped claw is fitted into the face of the bolt and it snaps over the cartridge rim as the round is chambered.

Another small difference is on the Royal, you can see the cocking piece at the rear of the bolt shroud.
On the Majestic, the bolt shroud is completely enclosed. A small indicator pin marked in red pokes up from the shroud when the striker is cocked.

One more change in the models in about the mid 60's and the action became the Monarch Model.
Around '68 they dropped the integral scope mt bases milled into the actions.
Don't loose those mounts!, they are hard to find by themselves generally. They are excellent mounts. The rear mount has a pin that sits in a hole in the rear bridge of the action to secure the entire scope & mt assembly from movement under recoil.

The actions Herters imported as the U9 were the Monarch style w/o the rails.

Wow, there's a lot to learn about this rifle.
The bolt definitely has a full length Mauser type extractor.
The cocking piece is fully exposed.
So it appears I may in fact have a "Royal" model.
But everything else points to a "Majestic Featherweight De Luxe".
Very Confusing!

 

[69camfrk]

Nice....very nice!!!

 

[M1Garandfather]

Re: BSA rifle

Hi... You have a beautiful , well made rifle in that BSA , and rare too...As to what model it is , the real tip-off is the number and letter prefix on the serial number...These rifles were made in three action lengths short , intermediate and long , each with their own unique number prefix.. Your rifle has the #7D number/letter prefix which identifies it as the "Imperial Featherweight" model...It was often referred to as the "Royal featherweight" , but that is incorrect as BSA never used that nomenclature in their catolouges , it was a North American importer made up name because the BSA line of rifles had all kinds of Royal names , i.e. Imperial , Majestic , Monarch , Viscount and Regent to name some...Your rifle was made in the mid to late 1950's , that's as close as I can tell.. All this info is available on the internet , you just have to be persistent and dig it up...The Besa recoil reducer was way ahead of it's time , the barrel is factory counter-bored as well..The condition of your gun looks to be excellent , with the 19mm integral base mounts milled into the reciever , the controlled round feed Mauser action and excellent safety you have a top quality old school hand made made sporting rifle , you can be proud to own...
This is my first post , rather long winded too , but I am passionate about this finely made English rifles...All the best , Bob

 

[hardycad01]

Replacement stock

I have a Birmingham 308 and am in need of a replacement stock.This gun was given to me like this, it was my Grandfathers gun and I would like to fix it for use. Took some time to get the bolt out as you need to push the trigger forward or just apply pressure forward and out it comes. I am from Bonnyville ,Alberta, Canada.

 

[Empe]

I have a BSA Majestic in .222 caliber . It looks pretty much the same as yours only without the muzzle brake . Also the bolt on mine is a polished silver with engraving rather than blue like yours. The stocks are pretty much identical , a very attractive English walnut I believe with what looks to be very well executed hand checkering. Mine is from the late 1960's early 1970's . I am the original owner . I purchased it on lay away while I was in still in high school . It took me the better part of the summer to pay off ! It's been responsible for the demise of many a Groundhog over the years. It's been well cared for and is still in excellent condition with a deep rich blueing you don't seem to see as much of today.

 

[DWalt]

Back when the original Herter's (in Minnesota) was still in business in the 1960s-70s, I believe they sold a BSA bolt action rifle under the Herter's brand. As I remember, the quality standard for the Herter BSA rifles wasn't very high.

 

[Empe]

Back when the original Herter's (in Minnesota) was still in business in the 1960s-70s, I believe they sold a BSA bolt action rifle under the Herter's brand. As I remember, the quality standard for the Herter BSA rifles wasn't very high.

I don't know about the Herters version but the BSA I have is not 2nd rate when it comes to quality.

 

[Drm50]

I had a BSA 243, used in early 70s, was a very nice rifle and was
a good shooter. I also have had Herters rifles both J9 & U9. The
J9s were the higher grade rifles and I found no fault with them.
The U9s were more of a Utility grade rifle, but not a bad rifle for
the money. I had a used 458 Herters, it would kick your teeth out
That's only gripe I ever had with Herters rifles.

 

[sodacan]

FYI, their motorcycles were made from melted down rifles. LOL!

 

[Texas Star]

Back when the original Herter's (in Minnesota) was still in business in the 1960s-70s, I believe they sold a BSA bolt action rifle under the Herter's brand. As I remember, the quality standard for the Herter BSA rifles wasn't very high.

I noted the Herter in post No. 2. It was called the U-9.

I saw it only in their catalog. Other than a copy of the Russell Canadian Bet Knife, I bought, I've never seen a Hester's product.