BSA No 1 Mk III* 410 musket

Beadwindow said:
With all of this talk of reaming out .303 rifles, I was wondering about how much it would cost to have this done to an SMLE with a shot out bore. I still have to try shooting it and perhaps counterboring, but I have a Lithgow rifle whose bore looks like it's done for. Has anyone had this done for their rifles?

Frank
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Why not refit a new .303 barrel. Parker Hale was unwrapping some South African SMLE Barrels when I was there. They cant cost much!
Or keep the barrel you've got and rechamber it/bore out!
 
There may be some disagreement here, but I believe the native levy's had single shot .303's, not .410's. I have one. A sheet metal platform is rivited in the mag well so you can only load ONE .303 at a time. There was also an earlier version that was Made as a single shot with NO mag well and the trigger guard was a straight shot to the King screw.
Thats one I would like to find, but I suspect the chance of that is minimal.

The thinking was that even if the locals had the same calibre rifle, they were still at a disadvantage if they tried anything.
 
Thats the .410 musket approved for service in 1923. Some of these were converted from the Indian pattern .303 single loader These were identical apart from the bore. Source the Lee Enfield Story page 409 Ian Skennerton.
What JS may have could be a UK Gunsmith conversion or who knows?
The straight to King screw floor plate model which looks like an early target piece (very interested myself) wasa conversion of a MLE approved in 1912. New production used the Martini Henry swivel. source as above but page 336.
 
tiriaq said:
Its not a forager. Check the proof marks on the barrel. It may have been commercially smoothbored in the UK so that it could be sold under a shotgun licence. The musket conversions were not in .410 2 1/2", while one smoothbored for easier sale in the UK would be. The musket conversions for use in India were chamered for a straight .303 case, and used a single round ball, not a shotshell. The thought was to produce a single shot, short ranged, less lethal weapon for guard and police use.
If it was bored and chambered for 2 1/2" .410, having it reamed to 3" would have no effect on value. If a .410 musket is reamed to 3", purist collectors would be disappointed.
I think Timberlord has a similar SMLE.
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Here's some pics of mine.

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That engraving on the wrist looks like its been done with ye olde electric pencil. Thats a gunsmith conversion as opposed to an arsenal model. That would have had the original calibre struck through/scrubbed to prevent accidents. nice gun though. Is the mag welded up? You can date UK conversions from that!
 
TimC said:
That engraving on the wrist looks like its been done with ye olde electric pencil. Thats a gunsmith conversion as opposed to an arsenal model. That would have had the original calibre struck through/scrubbed to prevent accidents. nice gun though. Is the mag welded up? You can date UK conversions from that!
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I've heard that. No, it's not welded and it's just a mag shell with no spring or follower. Being English, perhaps you've seen the same before? British gunsmith conversion to allow an easier possession licence vs centrefire rifle you think?
Any ideas about who did it or when?

Do people still do this to own centrefire rifles? I've seen people discussing their centrefire rifles in England, so I believe they can still be owned?
 
Worse than that JS some are treated as deadly rifles (mag cap more than 2)and have to be on a firearms certificate which requires you to prove need and you to prove to the Plod that you a fit person. Shotgun certs on the other hand are still a right provided you comply with the law, you still dont have to prove need and the plod have to prove that you are unfit if they want to say no!
 
Speaking of 410's. I have one too. GRI 1943 converted to 410 by RFI in 1949. Mag well fitted with wooden block, double pinned. It has a mag follower/plate for the round to slide on when chambered. "S arrow A" stamped, stock number also, 59, 11(once on each side) and 232. All numbered metal parts have the same number. Needs a good cleaning. I really like it and I can't wait to shoot it. The bore is mint and mic'd out at .410.

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That is the pucka RFI arsenal conversion, a true model, do you know what the chamber is cut for? Have you tried loading any .410 carts as a .303 case should drop in allowing it to be fire formed!
 
Sounds like a deal on the balls. For fire forming I suggest a mild load of powder with either a card or was seal over the end. If you have plenty you can experiment with which is the best charge, I suggest searching the internet as I have only ever read about or been told about fire forming. Some people do it after sizing out 1mm and then anneal the brass but that may be excessive. Good luck and keep us posted!
 
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