to all the .303 British gurus out there.. I picked up 14 rifles that have been stored in an attic for the last 30 yrs at an estate sale. So now I'm going thru each one cleaning off the crude, grease etc . Anyway this one that I'm working one is marked B.S.A. .303 and the rifle and the bayonet are marked with the "Tiger Head" crest. From what I have been able to find on the internet is that it was at one point a Thai Military or Police Service rifle bought from B.S.A. in the 1930's and that it is a No.1 MK111. It is full wood with the usual dings and dents that would be associated with a rifle of its age and the metal doesnt appear to be that bad....I'd appreciate any other info or even what its worth.... I will get pics up as soon as I can figure out this new Apple Desk top....thx in advance
Help with B.S.A. 303 Rifle
- Thread starter wolf19534
- Start date
There were 10,000 built on contract for the kingdom of Siam in the 1920s. They are commonly called "smiling tiger" rifles because of the tiger symbol.
Many did not survive the jungles of siam and against the japs in ww2. ones that are found today are in fair condition with mis matched bolts so they dont seem to go for a lot on the ee. If yours is a cut above, you could expect a premium if the bayonet is complete and matching as well.
Many did not survive the jungles of siam and against the japs in ww2. ones that are found today are in fair condition with mis matched bolts so they dont seem to go for a lot on the ee. If yours is a cut above, you could expect a premium if the bayonet is complete and matching as well.
No really, it is 
The contract was 1922 and the rifles were serialed in Siamese where you can see it, but the thoughtful ellows at BSA also marked them with serials which WE can read directly under the Siamese numbers, hidden by the woodwork.
Rifles were built for the Wild Tiger Corps, a village militia scheme which worked fairly well.
Markings on the butt socket indicate the rifles were ordered by King Rama VI, who had been a Cadet at Sandhurst and so appreciated fine rifles. The Army was using Mausers and specially-built Arisakas which look like standard Type 38s but which have zero interchangeable parts.
Judging from the relative numbers of Siamese Mausers, Arisakas and Lee-Enfields from the 1920s available today, I would say the Lee was the best of the choices.
The "Siamese Smellies" were less than ONE percent of BSA's production. Because so many are in terrible condition (as my own super-ratty one), they are not as well-known as they should be and the prices they bring certainly do not reflect their scarcity. This model is almost unknown in many other countries. Seems a lot of them were disposed of here... but nowhere else.
Yes, if you have happened onto 14 rifles, some photos here would gladden the hearts of many of us. Who knows what might be lurking in there..... Werndls, Wanzls, Werders, Mausers and Mousers and Mannlichers and Vetterlis and............
Please post pics before I lose too much sleep!
And be sure to have fun!
.
Rifles were built for the Wild Tiger Corps, a village militia scheme which worked fairly well.
Markings on the butt socket indicate the rifles were ordered by King Rama VI, who had been a Cadet at Sandhurst and so appreciated fine rifles. The Army was using Mausers and specially-built Arisakas which look like standard Type 38s but which have zero interchangeable parts.
Judging from the relative numbers of Siamese Mausers, Arisakas and Lee-Enfields from the 1920s available today, I would say the Lee was the best of the choices.
The "Siamese Smellies" were less than ONE percent of BSA's production. Because so many are in terrible condition (as my own super-ratty one), they are not as well-known as they should be and the prices they bring certainly do not reflect their scarcity. This model is almost unknown in many other countries. Seems a lot of them were disposed of here... but nowhere else.
Yes, if you have happened onto 14 rifles, some photos here would gladden the hearts of many of us. Who knows what might be lurking in there..... Werndls, Wanzls, Werders, Mausers and Mousers and Mannlichers and Vetterlis and............
Please post pics before I lose too much sleep!
And be sure to have fun!
.
The BSA Siamese contract rifles are not scarce in NZ, in fact i see 2 or 3 a year on NZs Trademe site & quite often see them at Militaria auctions (3 in one auction) i have had 3 of them of which i still own 1, they also seem to be easily found in Australia which would indicate a lot of the original 10,000 are still around & are not rare.
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Smellie....nothing that exotic....so far sorry to disappoint you
1) Savage .303....full wood all numbers matching except mag
2) Bertier St.Etienne full wood
3) LjungmanAG-42 full wood with matching numbers and matching bayo
4) Ariska not sure of the model yet with chopped wood
5)Another Japanese....not sure of make or model but a short rifle
6) Two rifles marked made in Italy.....probably Caranco
7)Two Steyers 1886 One Calvery,one Infantry
8)B.S.A. .303...Siam Tiger version
9)Unkown rifle....only marking.....AMBERG 1891
10) 12 guage shoot gun only marking is Ranger barrel is 36 inches long
and the rest I haven't cleaned the crud off of yet to see what they may actually be.....
and yes I am working on getting pics up
Will keep you updated
1) Savage .303....full wood all numbers matching except mag
2) Bertier St.Etienne full wood
3) LjungmanAG-42 full wood with matching numbers and matching bayo
4) Ariska not sure of the model yet with chopped wood
5)Another Japanese....not sure of make or model but a short rifle
6) Two rifles marked made in Italy.....probably Caranco
7)Two Steyers 1886 One Calvery,one Infantry
8)B.S.A. .303...Siam Tiger version
9)Unkown rifle....only marking.....AMBERG 1891
10) 12 guage shoot gun only marking is Ranger barrel is 36 inches long
and the rest I haven't cleaned the crud off of yet to see what they may actually be.....
and yes I am working on getting pics up
Will keep you updated
Winchester Mod1910 .401 Cal.
Hi all:
Not meaning to break topic here? but a newbie, and not sure where to question about a Winchester .401 cal. I saw all the responses to the attic collection so i sort of figure someone might no about this winchester & how much it would be worth. To continue, I have an opportunity to aquire this firearm(it appears to be a Winchester Mod. 1910 in .401 cal.) It also comes with the original leather case(looks like it could be mounted to a saddle). So no pict. yet(i no thats important from reading posts), any help would be appreciated or even a get lost for posting here, but at least point me in right direction.
Hi all:
Not meaning to break topic here? but a newbie, and not sure where to question about a Winchester .401 cal. I saw all the responses to the attic collection so i sort of figure someone might no about this winchester & how much it would be worth. To continue, I have an opportunity to aquire this firearm(it appears to be a Winchester Mod. 1910 in .401 cal.) It also comes with the original leather case(looks like it could be mounted to a saddle). So no pict. yet(i no thats important from reading posts), any help would be appreciated or even a get lost for posting here, but at least point me in right direction.
Model 1910 Winchester was chambered for the .401 Winchester Self-Loading cartridge, a long, straight, semi-rimmed monster. They were popular with some hunters and with police for a number of years, these and the (related) 1907 in .351 Self-Loading. The French bought a batch of 1907s n the Great War, then another batch in the '20s when they were trying to work out advanced tactics to accommodate the semi-auto rifles they wanted to build. Small quantities were used by other countries, notably of the 1907.
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For reference and to compare, check the article with 106 pic photo montage titled 1920 ShtLE (Short Lee-Enfield) Wild Tiger Corps No.1 MkIII* Riflehttp://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=182-1920-ShtLE-Wild-Tiger-Corps-No.1-MkIII*-Rifle in the United Kingdom - Knowledge Libraryhttp://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=120-united-kingdom
They only made 10,000 of these ...
The BSA serial number (in English) should be under the bolt arm ...
Regards,
Doug
1) Savage .303....full wood all numbers matching except mag
2) Bertier St.Etienne full wood - might be interesting, long rifle or short? mag stick out below the wood or not?
3) LjungmanAG-42 full wood with matching numbers and matching bayo
4) Ariska not sure of the model yet with chopped wood
5)Another Japanese....not sure of make or model but a short rifle - is it cut down or maybe a real type 44?
6) Two rifles marked made in Italy.....probably Caranco - almost certainly a carcano.
7)Two Steyers 1886 One Calvery,one Infantry
8)B.S.A. .303...Siam Tiger version
9)Unkown rifle....only marking.....AMBERG 1891- probably a gewehr 88
10) 12 guage shoot gun only marking is Ranger barrel is 36 inches long
and the rest I haven't cleaned the crud off of yet to see what they may actually be.....
and yes I am working on getting pics up
Will keep you updated
2) Bertier St.Etienne full wood - might be interesting, long rifle or short? mag stick out below the wood or not?
3) LjungmanAG-42 full wood with matching numbers and matching bayo
4) Ariska not sure of the model yet with chopped wood
5)Another Japanese....not sure of make or model but a short rifle - is it cut down or maybe a real type 44?
6) Two rifles marked made in Italy.....probably Caranco - almost certainly a carcano.
7)Two Steyers 1886 One Calvery,one Infantry
8)B.S.A. .303...Siam Tiger version
9)Unkown rifle....only marking.....AMBERG 1891- probably a gewehr 88
10) 12 guage shoot gun only marking is Ranger barrel is 36 inches long
and the rest I haven't cleaned the crud off of yet to see what they may actually be.....
and yes I am working on getting pics up
Will keep you updated
Post pix of as many as you can, friend.
BTW, a Savage 99 with full wood is MOST interesting. There were not many made, and almost ALL for military contracts. Check for ownership marks: C with an arrow in the middle, US, things like that.
The two Steyrs, if they are tube-magazine bolt rifles, likely will be Kropatscheks. The French copied the Krop, made it more powerful and added lugs, called it the Lebel.
You have stumbled upon a gold-mine of interesting toys! Would that we all could be so fortunate. Perhaps in this Fine New Year, in which I wish ALL the best of luck.
.
BTW, a Savage 99 with full wood is MOST interesting. There were not many made, and almost ALL for military contracts. Check for ownership marks: C with an arrow in the middle, US, things like that.
The two Steyrs, if they are tube-magazine bolt rifles, likely will be Kropatscheks. The French copied the Krop, made it more powerful and added lugs, called it the Lebel.
You have stumbled upon a gold-mine of interesting toys! Would that we all could be so fortunate. Perhaps in this Fine New Year, in which I wish ALL the best of luck.
.
