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Sandman View Drop Down
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    Posted: November 04 2015 at 7:21pm
he!!o. I have been searching for a 303 for quite a long time and have never been able to find one that was in the condition I would like and for the price I was wanting to pay. I owned one about 20 years ago, and like a fool, I sold it off. Since that time, I've gotten the itch to buy another one, but again, never could find one that suited me. But today, I found just the one for me and I snatched it up.

When it comes to these rifles, I am as green as a high school freshman in determining exactly what it is aside from a .303 British. I know this question has more than likely been asked a million times on here, and I have looked online at several sights talking about all the markings, but I can't make sense of all of it. I apologize if I'm beating a dead horse, but hopefully someone can tell me what I have. So here goes.

(1) Under the bolt on the metal band, the rifle has the following. It is stamped from top to bottom like this: 
- A Crown Symbol
- G.R.
- B.S.A (you can't see the SA but I'm assuming that is what was there)
- 1944
- SHT LE
- III *

(2) On top of the receiver, on the left and right side, behind the barrel it has:
- England (a symbol to the right of the word I can't make out)
- Symbol like a A with 1800 under it.
-  Crown, GR, P

(3) Just in front of the receiver on what looks like the top of the barrel, it has:
- BSA
- The numerals 97 with what appears to be an arrow in the middle with a GF or 6F after that.

(4) On the front of the bayonet lug the rifle has A 1800. It also has A 1800 stamped into the  wood behind the bayonet bracket on the bottom side of the rifle.

(5) On the side of the receiver, it has FTR 1953

(6) The safety has III stamped on it

(7) On the back of the rear sight, the rifle has:
- A symbol that looks like an upside down bolt or nail, then 9587 and again, a symbol,  A 1800

The rear sight goes from 2 through 20 on elevation and also has windage adjustment. The front sight is a blade type with metal protectors on each side of it.

(8) On the bolt there is a Crown Symbol, X, D7. Also on the bolt handle itself is the A 1800.

(9) The metal butt plate on the stock appears to be brass with a small latch that opens and is hollow down in the stock. I'm assuming this was for a tool / cleaning kit back in the day.

Those are all of the symbols, numbers and letters I can find on the rifle currently. Just hoping someone can tell me what it is. The rifle has all matching colored wood, and is in great condition. Again, sorry if this has been talked about until you guys are blue in the face.

Any information you can provide is appreciated.







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evanguy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote evanguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 2:12am
it was made by BSA in 1944, then in 53 it went though a "factory throuh repair"  witch is when they strip it down and rebuilt using old parts to get ready for its new life. Probably in korea. Pics would help.
 it seems its a no1mk3* 1944 though. that has be rebuilt by factory.
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Sandman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sandman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 4:11am
I'll take some pictures and post them up. Thanks for your response.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 4:32am
Sounds good. I believe BSA continued to make the No1MIII* during WWII as wellas the No4. The windage sight was not generally fitted to the MkIII* model as far as I'm aware, but could have been swapped later. The FTR in 1953 means it should be in nice condition.It was not' FTR'd in Korea! but may have been there! Some photo's would be great!
Oh! and welcome to the forum!
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evanguy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote evanguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 5:17am
I ment ftr for its new life in korea, sorry not the ftr happened in korea.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sandman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 6:18am
Here are some pictures of the rifle. I didn't really know what all to take pictures of. The rifle needs a good breakdown and cleaning, which I plan on doing this weekend before taking it to the range. To me, it's in great shape compared to a lot of the ones I've came across in recent years.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sandman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 6:19am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sandman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 6:20am
Also, I measured the rifle from butt plate to the end of the bayonet lug and it is exactly 44.5" long. Don't know if that means anything or not. Also, I paid $150 for the rifle at a local shop.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 6:25am
Before you do a tear down look into the details of the correct method. Its quite possible to do irreparable damage if you (for example) remove the buttstock before the forend, or remove the forend incorrectly by pulling down diagonally.
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 Sandman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 6:43am
Thanks for the information. I'll make sure I read up on it and do it the way it's suppose to be done. I actually seen a video title on Youtube with a description on how to break one down. I'll watch it first and verify the information the user has posted before I tear into it.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote evanguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 7:08am
Wow that looks good. around here anything with full wood goes for 400$ or more. the worst condition sporter non matching wood cut barrel ones go for 150$. nice find.

If that was mine and i wanted to shoot it and not hang it on the wall i would only take the bolt out, trigger guard and mag and clean it up. that stock will be bedded nicely from factory and maybe its just me but after you remove the wood its hard to get fit back like factory. and if its just for cleaning id avoid it my self. to me that rifle looks beautiful

Also both my no1mk3* have the same sights on them as yours. Ones a .22 traIner and the other is a heavy barrel lithgow.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Bear43 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 7:32am
Nice rifle! The later dated dispersal rifles don't come up as often as the earlier ones and finding a nice one at that price point is fantastic.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sandman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 7:37am
Originally posted by evanguy evanguy wrote:

Wow that looks good. around here anything with full wood goes for 400$ or more. the worst condition sporter non matching wood cut barrel ones go for 150$. nice find.

If that was mine and i wanted to shoot it and not hang it on the wall i would only take the bolt out, trigger guard and mag and clean it up. that stock will be bedded nicely from factory and maybe its just me but after you remove the wood its hard to get fit back like factory. and if its just for cleaning id avoid it my self. to me that rifle looks beautiful

Also both my no1mk3* have the same sights on them as yours. Ones a .22 traIner and the other is a heavy barrel lithgow.


So from what your seeing, this rifle is a No1 Mk3*? The reason I'm trying to know exactly is I plan on putting a scope mount on it for a low power optic to deer hunt with down here in Kentucky. I've looked at several and I want one that will work so I don't have to alter the rifle in any way. Seems like a model made by S&K is what everyone is agreeing on.

So it will not be a safe queen or wall hanger. It will be put into the field laying down some venison. I'll do as you suggested and just remove the bolt, trigger guard and mag because I really don't want to tear it all the way down. I'm one of those who always seems to have a few parts left over when I take something apart and put it back together...haha

I do appreciate your info and help. And yeah, I think I got a good deal on this rifle for the condition it is in. It kinda happen out of the blue. My friend owns the shop actually, and I was just loafing around after getting off work. I was getting ready to leave when a lady brought in this rifle and a old 8mm Mauser. My friend bought them from her, and as soon as he logged it into his FFL book, I laid him $150 on the table and asked if that would buy the 303. He said, "get you a form", and fill it out...LOL. He made $50 and I left with a nice old legendary rifle.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote paddyofurniture Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 8:06am
I think these rifles where made for the war effort by forest gnomes.

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Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sandman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 8:08am
Originally posted by Bear43 Bear43 wrote:

Nice rifle! The later dated dispersal rifles don't come up as often as the earlier ones and finding a nice one at that price point is fantastic.


Yeah, I don't hardly see them anymore anywhere around here what they aren't gutted or the wood has been cut on them. I knew as soon as I saw that one, I must have it. I'm going to a rather large gun show Saturday. I'm sure there will be some floating around there. I'm gonna see what they are going for.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BMP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2015 at 10:23am
Nice rifle Sandman! Looks like a keeper!

Brad
1917 NO1. MKIII ShtLE
1942 NO4. MK1 four digit BSA

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