[BlackBat242]

I've been eyeing something a LGS got at an estate sale - and finally my willpower failed - $600 later (a bit high in normal times, but good now) and this old warhorse is sitting in the ammo room ('til I rearrange the almost-full safe).

It appears to be an early 1930s production civilian BSA rifle, as the serial number fits a large batch contract for the Gulf States (modernly referred to as a "Bahrain Rifle"). They came onto the civilian market a decade or more back. This one has sort of rough wood (but much better than some I've seen) and the rifling is somewhat worn (rounded edges but good height, with little sign of corrosion).

 

[BlackBat242]

My small set has expanded again - started with a sporterized No.4 Mk.1, then the one discussed above... and now a new (old) member!

The unique one is a WW1-era No. 1 Mk III that the Indian government converted in 1933 to ".410 musket" - basically the .303 casing without the bottleneck - loaded with either a single ball or 12-pellet shot, for prison guard & riot-control work. The magazine well has a wood plug, so it is now a single-shot bolt-action weapon. When imported from India the chamber was reamed to take 3" .410 shotgun ammo, so I now have a bolt-action shotgun!

Family portrait (left to right):
Gramps: 1916 LSA No. 1 Mk III converted to .410 in 1933
Pops: Mid-1930s BSA No. 1 Mk III commercial Gulf States Contract, with second magazine
Junior: 1944 BSA No.4 Mk 1 (like all the younger generation, he went in for body mods... had his rear sight base cut off, shortened his barrel, got a sleek sporter stock, and had scope mounts drilled & screwed on!).

If only I had been introduced to Junior before he got in with the wrong crowd... but he's still useful in a utilitarian way.

{The bayonet is an India Pattern No. 1 Mk. II* bayonet (no fuller groove, with short "false edge" on the back of the point), purchased at the same show as the .410 Enfield.
It really does fit that weapon better thematically - now I need the proper bayonet for a 1930s commercial sale No. 1 Mk III.}

 

[BlackBat242]

Well, I did pick up the proper bayonet for the 1930s No. 1 Mk. III... a 1917-dated Sword bayonet, pattern 1907 (Mark I).

 

[BlackBat242]

Well... the family just got another member... their long-lost cousin from Canada. He'll be staying... and he even has his own sharp pointy things!

$740 at the Utah Gun Collectors' Show 15 May 2022.

Seller had two No. 1 Mk. Vs, one rough and one OK - and a 1941 Lithgow No. 1 Mk. III, also "OK".

This No. 4 was the best-looking of the lot, and was what I was looking for anyway!