he!!o from Witch Wells, AZ

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   he!!o everyone.  I've made a few posts, but I don't think I ever introduced myself.  For that I do apologize.  
I'm Rick.  My Dad bought me my first firearm, a Ruger 10/22 in 1975.  I bought my second rifle, a Ruger Mini-14 in 1977.  Both still go shooting with me.  I've always loved Service Rifles, and I do have a few.  I'm a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer.

I served 25 years as an Aircrewman in Helicopters, Patrol Aircraft, and various C-130s.  After that I served as a Peace Officer in Washington State and Georgia.  I was also a Fire Fighter and EMT in Georgia.  A few years ago I moved to Arizona, where I taught high-risk youth High-School classes for a few years.
Now I'm retired.  

I work on plastic models.  I also repair and build computers.  When I'm not geeking on those, I work on old firearms that no-one else wants.  
I have a bit of everything.  Over the past few years I've been working on a Winchester M1907 in .351WSL and a Long Branch no. 4 mk I*.  That Canuck is what brought me to these forums.  A few weeks ago I acquired a sporterized BSA no. 1 mk III* built in 1917.  If I'm reading marks right, it was arsenal/factory refinished in 1944 and again in 1956.  But I'm no expert on markings.  

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NavyGeo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: February 22 2025 Location: Witch Wells AZ Status: Offline Points: 36	Post Options Post Reply Quote NavyGeo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: he!!o from Witch Wells, AZ Posted: April 25 2025 at 9:33am
	he!!o everyone. I've made a few posts, but I don't think I ever introduced myself. For that I do apologize. I'm Rick. My Dad bought me my first firearm, a Ruger 10/22 in 1975. I bought my second rifle, a Ruger Mini-14 in 1977. Both still go shooting with me. I've always loved Service Rifles, and I do have a few. I'm a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer. I served 25 years as an Aircrewman in Helicopters, Patrol Aircraft, and various C-130s. After that I served as a Peace Officer in Washington State and Georgia. I was also a Fire Fighter and EMT in Georgia. A few years ago I moved to Arizona, where I taught high-risk youth High-School classes for a few years. Now I'm retired. I work on plastic models. I also repair and build computers. When I'm not geeking on those, I work on old firearms that no-one else wants. I have a bit of everything. Over the past few years I've been working on a Winchester M1907 in .351WSL and a Long Branch no. 4 mk I. That Canuck is what brought me to these forums. A few weeks ago I acquired a sporterized BSA no. 1 mk III built in 1917. If I'm reading marks right, it was arsenal/factory refinished in 1944 and again in 1956. But I'm no expert on markings.

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 16998	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 25 2025 at 8:14pm
	welcome to the site , you will find us a mellow bunch , somewhat jovial , and there are certainly some that share the interests you have ,

NavyGeo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: February 22 2025 Location: Witch Wells AZ Status: Offline Points: 36	Post Options Post Reply Quote NavyGeo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 26 2025 at 7:19am
	Thanks A square 10. I've made some postings already concerning them, but I am currently working to bring a 1917 BSA and a 1943 Long Branch back from 'sporterization' to military specifications. I do have several other 'rescues', but they aren't particular to these forums!

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 26 2025 at 7:50am
	Welcome Rick. We have some very knowledgeable collectors here, ASquare10 is one of them. We all like to help each other where we can contribute. We treat each other with respect, and the very few who don’t usually find their way elsewhere. This is most certainly a good bunch of people.

NavyGeo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: February 22 2025 Location: Witch Wells AZ Status: Offline Points: 36	Post Options Post Reply Quote NavyGeo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 26 2025 at 8:44am
	I'm seeing that britrifles. I'm glad I found this forum; several contributors have been really helpful. I got the Long Branch as a 'stripped' rifle. To date contributors have helped me acquire a bolt, a mk. III sight, an upper fore-end, and most all the screws, washers, and other bits that rifle is missing. I think I still need a magazine, and someday I might look at getting a bayonet. As for the BSA, on of the contributors was nice enough to point out what parts I needed; they also provided a diagram so that I can utilize correct nomenclature. It's basically the front furniture and the front muzzle pieces. I look forward to getting both these service rifles out onto the range soon.

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 26 2025 at 12:17pm
	I have a spare Bayonet, scabbard & frog for a No4 if you're interested.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

NavyGeo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: February 22 2025 Location: Witch Wells AZ Status: Offline Points: 36	Post Options Post Reply Quote NavyGeo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 26 2025 at 12:34pm
	Shamu, that'd be great! I'll PM you. Rick

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 26 2025 at 1:47pm
	Got it & replied.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 26 2025 at 5:10pm
	Done Deal, its yours. Thanks.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)