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War Office Pattern Miniature .22

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CalFed View Drop Down
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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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hoadie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 21 2017 at 7:18pm
"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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stanforth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 22 2017 at 3:56am
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hoadie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 22 2017 at 5:33am
looks to me it was a sporter from the beginning.
Whats that "Trade Mark" stamp on the stock?



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 22 2017 at 8:38am
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CalFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 22 2017 at 9:36am
Originally posted by Stanforth Stanforth wrote:

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.

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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote terrylee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 22 2017 at 9:42am
This example is marked to the Durban Light Infantry, a South African Regiment.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 22 2017 at 1:43pm
Yes, I think they were trying to replicate the sight picture of the SMLE hence the rear sight & protectors in the "wrong" place.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CalFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 23 2017 at 11:44am
Thanks, terry and sham

From a response on another forum...


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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 23 2017 at 1:02pm
Based on the Cadet pattern Beezr maybe?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CalFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 23 2017 at 1:29pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Homer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 24 2017 at 4:09am
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 25 2017 at 7:23pm
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote terrylee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 25 2017 at 11:38pm
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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