An old BSA in .303 British needs proper ID and advice on what magazine it will take

[woodlotowner]

I am hoping someone can ID this model of BSA rifle for me and advise what magazine it will take. Will the common LE mag fit this rifle? Any other info would be appreciated too.

Thanks in advance,

Woodlot

 

[Potashminer]

Someone might know more than me - sure looks like it started as a common "No. 1", so that is probably the magazine that you want for it - a No. 1 magazine, not a No. 4 magazine. Easiest tell on the 10 rounders is that the side grooves on a No. 1 mag go all the way to the bottom edge - the grooves stop before the bottom on a No. 4 mag. Notches and locking lugs a bit different on rear spine of the magazines as well. Over the years, people have made one work with the other by filing, etc.

Is a bit unusual to me to see a sporter with that much work done to it, (checkering, multiple leaf rear sight, patches into the stock inlets for original rear sight protectors, etc.) and the magazine cut-off still there. Shows how few of them that I see and handle!!!

 

[Mulletard]

1940, looks like a possible dispersal no1 mk3.

Any smle mag /no1 mk3 mag id think.

 

[jamesharrison]

As others have mentioned, you can use any magazine from a #1 Mk. 3 rifle IF, when someone decided they were going to make a copy of B.S.A.Co.'s #4b or 4c (depending on how long the barrel on your rifle is) Pattern High Velocity Sporting Rifle Bush Carbine that came out after the Great War*, they did not install a Lee Metford magazine cut-off in the rifle. If it does and you do, you'll bugger up the magazine and/or the cut-off.

* and may have seen in Fraser's Canadian store in Montreal or another rifle therefrom

 

[RifleDude]

Here you go: https://marstar.ca/product/used-no1-mkiii/ I'm 99% sure this is what you need.

 

[rgg_7]

you need a No1 Mk111 magazine - this Enfield may have had a 10 rounder cut back to 5 or 8 shot depending on the "look? the sporter was modified to. What's on the barrel for a sight - picture showing a top view would be great.

 

[woodlotowner]

Full picture of rifle.

 

[jaroslav]

Why would 1940 No1 MK III have a cut off? The last ones were 1916.

 

[5THBATT]

Why would 1940 No1 MK III have a cut off? The last ones were 1916.

1941 was the last year for cutoffs on No1 MkIIIs it was not deleted in 1916 that is a myth a new model called the MkIII* was introduced in 1916 in the same LoC that introduced changes to the future manufacture of the MkIII

 

[woodlotowner]

Thanks very much to all who replied. So much knowledge and expertise here and so many willing to share.

 

[collector67]

Nice sporter. I’d look for a flush fit 5 round magazine (Santa Fe) to complete it….

 

[woodlotowner]

Looking for and finding are sometimes an odd couple...

 

[collector67]

True, but a “WTB” post in the EE couldn’t hurt. I found an obscure Parker Hale mag in .276 for a buddy of mine a few years back…

 

[Leg]

Looking for and finding are sometimes an odd couple...

Well you never know. I grabbed one off the EE last month. Identical to the Sante Fe except marked Parker Hale, made in Japan. They’re for a No. 4 though.

 

[woodlotowner]

Here you go: https://marstar.ca/product/used-no1-mkiii/ I'm 99% sure this is what you need.

Thanks, RifleDude. Make your estimate of accuracy 100%. Magazines acquired. All good.

 

[RifleDude]

Thanks very much to all who replied. So much knowledge and expertise here and so many willing to share.

You're welcome, always ready to help out a fellow enthusiast. Now get some .303 ammo and shoot that puppy. It'll be a lot of fun.

 

[Leg]

I know you got a magazine but there is a 5rd for a No.1 for sale in the EE Sporting Rifles section.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2247687-No1mk3-enfield-sporter-flush-mag