War Office Pattern Miniature .22 |
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CalFed
Groupie Joined: March 23 2011 Location: N. Cal Status: Offline Points: 75 |
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Posted: July 21 2017 at 7:14pm |
Years ago I got this at an auction. I was able to identify it as a "BSA War Office Miniature Rifle", but haven't been able to learn much else about it.
May have been used before the Enfield training rifles. |
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hoadie
Moderator Group Joined: March 16 2006 Location: Niagara/Canada Status: Offline Points: 9003 |
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"War Office"? Theres one I've never heard of.(Guess I'll get an education soon!)
If its "War Office", wheres the DND (DoD) stamp> Should there not be some on it? |
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Loose wimmen tightened here
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Stanforth
Senior Member Joined: January 08 2017 Location: Oxford England Status: Offline Points: 773 |
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I've seen a lot of them, mostly years ago. I have a feeling that they were issued to cadets mainly in College 'Combined Services' units.
You will notice that the pistol grip has a passing resemblance to a SMLE.
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Life.. a sexually transmitted condition that is invariably fatal.
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hoadie
Moderator Group Joined: March 16 2006 Location: Niagara/Canada Status: Offline Points: 9003 |
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looks to me it was a sporter from the beginning.
Whats that "Trade Mark" stamp on the stock? |
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Loose wimmen tightened here
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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Hoadie: Its a BSA "Stacked Rifles trade mark".
I think I can shed a little light for you. "Back in the Day" BSA made both military & civilian arms. One of their "gimmicks" was to have a military-like but civilian rifle, they even offered an "extra service" of having them specially inspected & proofed (above & beyond routine proofing)to "Military standards" called "Government Viewing" for the sum of one shilling & sixpence! At the time a brand spanking new "Short Pattern Mark 3" (An SMLE) sold for 135 shillings (£6:15 shillings) in "plain military" grade, or 165 shillings as "Special Target Grade" for 165 shillings (£8:05 shillings). One of these offerings was the rifle you have! As far as I can find out it was a "BSA Miniature rifle No2 Model" but with detail changes to the butt, sights & so on to simulate the use & operation of a "Real" Rifle No1 MkIII or SMLE! This is from my repro of a "BSA Rifles & Rifle sights" catalog from the 1920's. Sorry its so big I wanted to have it printable for you if you wanted it. To see full sized right click on it & select view image & the magnify with the glass with a "+" in it. I hope this gives you what you are looking for, or at least a start. |
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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CalFed
Groupie Joined: March 23 2011 Location: N. Cal Status: Offline Points: 75 |
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The rear sight seems to resemble a No1 MK III rear sight, also. Better pic of the War Office Pattern rear sight... |
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terrylee
Senior Member Joined: December 30 2014 Location: South Africa Status: Offline Points: 741 |
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This example is marked to the Durban Light Infantry, a South African Regiment.
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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Yes, I think they were trying to replicate the sight picture of the SMLE hence the rear sight & protectors in the "wrong" place.
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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CalFed
Groupie Joined: March 23 2011 Location: N. Cal Status: Offline Points: 75 |
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Thanks, terry and sham Mine is very similar to the "standard pattern" depicted in the link. terrylee's looks like the "Long fore-end Pattern" |
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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Based on the Cadet pattern Beezr maybe?
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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CalFed
Groupie Joined: March 23 2011 Location: N. Cal Status: Offline Points: 75 |
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Homer
Senior Member Joined: January 01 2013 Location: Brisbane Status: Offline Points: 664 |
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These are a nice little piece. Got one myself that my nephew used to shoot cans with. This in the butt trap.
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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i want one , ive not seen one here -yet- but would very much like to have one for my accumulsation , great find congrats , it should shoot very well ,
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terrylee
Senior Member Joined: December 30 2014 Location: South Africa Status: Offline Points: 741 |
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Here is a document from the South African Military Archives dating from early 1948. It would seem that the War Office Pattern .22 rifle was not highly thought of !
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