My Dad's old BSA 30-06 - Looking for info on it.

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TedNugent

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Just learned it was a BSA tonight, he'd dropped it by last week, wanted to see if I could find more
out about it.
Have shot with it plenty, seems to be well built, and has a smooth enough action.

Here are some pics:

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20140622_030255.jpg


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In the last pic, it has a whole series of symbols and letters, did a brief search on
google before coming here, but wasn't able to find much similar to the way this
particular gun is set up.

Thanks in advance for anything you can
come up with.
Edit: almost looks like a formula for a load in the last pic.
Aaron
 
It is a US M1917 rifle commercially rebuilt as a sporting rifle by BSA, most likely in the 1950s.
 
The markings on the left side of the barrel are the proof marks. Every firearm retailed in Britain has to make a trip to the proof house, either in Birmingham as this one, or London.
BV= Birmingham View, meaning visual inspection
BP= Birmingham Proof
NP= Nitro Proof

The other marks are calibre, case length, and load is was proved for.
 
tiriaq said:
It is a US M1917 rifle commercially rebuilt as a sporting rifle by BSA, most likely in the 1950s.
Click to expand...

X2 on M-17 Enfield, but the white line spacers on the stock scream late 60's to mid '70s.

The P13 & 14 and the M-17s are much better actions than they get credit for. Although we've been conditioned to believe that #### on opening is best, #### on closing provides easier extraction, and faster cycling. I'm not sure if BSA followed Remington's lead with the M-30 and converted the action to #### on opening. I like the peep sight and the straight bolt handle! I'd put a recoil pad on it, if only because I find plastic butt plates slippery, and I'd probably have to reduce the LOP slightly anyway.
 
That's a fine old rifle. I've seen them shoot very well indeed.

Boomer said:
I'd put a recoil pad on it, if only because I find plastic butt plates slippery, and I'd probably have to reduce the LOP slightly anyway.
Click to expand...
Another alternative, if one did not want to cut it short for a pad would be to just get a rubber plate approx the same thickness as the original slippy plastic one. This will keep the gun original if that's important to the OP.
 
BSA built a few different versions on M-17 Enfields.

I think this one is a Model C Sporter....the Model A and B were not restocked and used the bottom metal as issued with the bend at the front screw and the crooked bolt handle.

I had one like yours in 270 years ago. The 270's were of course rebarreled, the 30-06 used the issue barrel recontoured.

That's all I know and it might be only half true.

Some of the older,...er, I mean more experienced 'smiths on the board will have more info I'm sure.

I've had a least a half dozen M17's, both BSA's and gunsmith sporterized versions. They are a great action.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?137181-New-stock-for-a-BSA-P-14-sporter
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the info everyone. I believe my Dad bought well before I was born, so it has to be pre-1970's. I'll ask him and see if he remembers. I'm going to try to find the missing site adjuster and give it a good cleaning. Just bought some brass for it, so am anxious to work up a load for it as well. Should I stick to a 220 gr bullet as is printed on the proofing?
 
No, that refers to a theoretical maximum load for proofing purposes. Any standard .30-06 load should work fine, up to 220gr.
 
See if you can find a replacement elevation knob for the aperture sight. Good strong gun and aperatures are good sights within the limits of your vision.
 
They are damn good rifles for 97-year-old guns. Made with quality.

I have a plain Jane sporter in 30-06, a customized 300 WM on a P14 action and a full military US M17.
 
Looks very similar to my Dad's BSA 30 06, he gave it to me and I gave it to my son, he bought it brand new in Nelson B.C. In 1952 it still has the original white spacers identical to the pictured rifle.
 
762shooter said:
See if you can find a replacement elevation knob for the aperture sight. Good strong gun and aperatures are good sights within the limits of your vision.
Click to expand...

After 30 or so minutes of searching online for parts, I realized it's probably a needle in a haystack. Hard to pin down parts, have searched the models mentioned here, and there is not a lot about these anywhere I can find.
 
Mauser98 said:
With the straight bolt handle and the checkering on the pistol grip(but none on the forend), it appears to be a BSA Model E.
Click to expand...

Oh Snap! You've nailed it!!
http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?138626-BSA-30-06-sporter

Exact sights as my Dad's. Thank you sir for solving this for me. He even mentions the sight type/model. Should make looking a lot easier.
Thanks everyone for all the replies, I believe I'm the responsible party for the rifles lack of the height adjustment knob. Hope now I can make it right.
 
TedNugent said:
After 30 or so minutes of searching online for parts, I realized it's probably a needle in a haystack. Hard to pin down parts, have searched the models mentioned here, and there is not a lot about these anywhere I can find.
Click to expand...

Many old time gunsmiths have parts drawers with salvaged bit like the knob you need.
 
I managed to get ahold of a guy named Garry out of Texas who has loads
of new in box vintage sights, and am sure as you describe, drawers full of goodies.
He's having a look for me, and hopefully he has just the knob, if not he's got
an entire micrometer sight for $89.
 
Good one for sum Fuddlyness.
Go to yer dollar store and git sum flippytedfloppies.
Glue them up and make your own pad.............why not.............aye?
 
My brother's father in law died and they dropped one of these off at my place. Identical to yours. Can anyone give me a rough idea of what they are worth? I'm thinking $150 to $250?
 
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