BSA Royal Featherlight

[VJJPunisher]

Stumbled into this thing, didn’t know much about them but knew a bit about the old BSA guns from WW2. I knew this thing was cool so I got it. After getting it I learned a little bit more of the demise of BSA in the early 70’s. I like old classic wood stocked guns and this thing really makes me think of the Remington model 30 express. This one is a .243 which I guess they were also in 30’06. It weighs 6 lbs and some change. Really cool old gun thought some here would like it and probably know a lot more about them

 

[roostercogburn98]

I thought you was better than this

 

[VJJPunisher]

I’m a poor, it doesn’t get much better

 

[roostercogburn98]

Yeah, us poors take what we can get

 

[RPN]

Probably THE classic NZ government culling book has a 243 BSA on the cover - they were the professionals rifle of choice through the 60's and well into the 70's, and are still popular on the 2nd hand market.

Not something to build a 26" bull barrelled 300SAUM on, but for a light weight hunting rifle they are superb.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Don’t underrate that! Lovely rifle and one that will last several lifetimes!

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Love the “schnabel” forend. Great classic 1960’s lines. Sleek and pretty. You done good.

Don’t underestimate Birmingham guns. May not have the finish of a London best but they were world class rifles. At a time when British guns were seen around the planet a lot more than American ones!

Sirhr

 

[VJJPunisher]

View attachment 8427783

Probably THE classic NZ government culling book has a 243 BSA on the cover - they were the professionals rifle of choice through the 60's and well into the 70's, and are still popular on the 2nd hand market.

Not something to build a 26" bull barrelled 300SAUM on, but for a light weight hunting rifle they are superb.

Thanks for that, that’s really cool

 

[VJJPunisher]

Love the “schnabel” forend. Great classic 1960’s lines. Sleek and pretty. You done good.

Don’t underestimate Birmingham guns. May not have the finish of a London best but they were world class rifles. At a time when British guns were seen around the planet a lot more than American ones!

Sirhr

I agree, pretty lines and I love an old classic style gun. We were just teasing about it being gross. I’ve been around a gun or two enough to know this rifle is really quite beautiful, and built really well

 

[sirhrmechanic]

I agree, pretty lines and I love an old classic style gun. We were just teasing about it being gross. I’ve been around a gun or two enough to know this rifle is really quite beautiful, and built really well

If it were mine… I’d do a couple of things… I’d remove the white line spacers on the stock. I’d strip the “blonde” finish and recut/deepen checkering. And I’d restain a rich deep walnut… and refinish in Warthog Oil (Purdeys finish.)

That would turn that gun into an utter English classic!

Cheers!

 

[VJJPunisher]

Didn’t think about the spacers, but I was already thinking on cleaning up the stock, it’s smeared with some lacquer type finish I was debating on removing

 

[roostercogburn98]

Old weaver scope? Hard to see the writing in the one picture.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Yes, an old steel tube k4, had it lying around and it fits the era and original Parker hale rings quite nicely. Think I got the scope from a breather

 

[roostercogburn98]

Had to be a breather to own shit like that

 

[nockhunter]

Cool rifle, strip it apply many, many coats of boiled linseed oil and have a thin red recoil pad installed clean up checkering. Man that would look sharp!

Mike

 

[VJJPunisher]

On an aside, is there any Lyman peep collectors on here? It’s drilled and tapped for what I believe to be a Lyman. Information on these old English rifles is few and far between, can’t even determine an exact year of manufacture. I was looking around and thought it might be cool to have a period right Lyman rear it but holy fuck that rabbit hole is daunting with changes to this or that component over the years, apparently there are collectors of just old peep sights. I believe it needs a Lyman 57WJS but I could be smoking rocks

 

[VSP968]

Didn’t Herters sell BSA rifles in the 60s and 70s (before their demise) under their brand name?

Like the U-9 or something? I smoked a lot of weed back then so I could be completely off base….

 

[VJJPunisher]

Didn’t Herters sell BSA rifles in the 60s and 70s (before their demise) under their brand name?

Like the U-9 or something? I smoked a lot of weed back then so I could be completely off base….

I believe I did read something along those lines, bsa barreled actions with herters name on them

 

[ZG47A]

Beautiful rifle @VJJPunisher. Please ignore the uninformed comments and keep it as original as possible. I understand that they still have the tooling and there have been repeated attempts by the NZ distributor to reintroduce these rifles. Given that the brand has been part of the Gamo empire for a while, I doubt that it will ever happen. What is the hole spacing for the peep sight?

 

[VJJPunisher]

Beautiful rifle @VJJPunisher. What is the hole spacing for the peep sight?

It’s .600 even, best I can measure

 

[roostercogburn98]

Old Lyman WJS you say? Cant remember, but I think this one may be a 54 though

 

[nockhunter]

On an aside, is there any Lyman peep collectors on here? It’s drilled and tapped for what I believe to be a Lyman. Information on these old English rifles is few and far between, can’t even determine an exact year of manufacture. I was looking around and thought it might be cool to have a period right Lyman rear it but holy fuck that rabbit hole is daunting with changes to this or that component over the years, apparently there are collectors of just old peep sights. I believe it needs a Lyman 57WJS but I could be smoking rocks
View attachment 8428215

I like it even more now. I have an old walnut stocked Savage 110, 30-06 that I installed a Lyman peep on. I'll have to get some pics up.

Mike

 

[Sniff]

Pre 1968, because that's when BSA changed from the grooved receivers to drilled and taped receivers.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Came out in 1956, discontinued in 1959

 

[camocorvette]

@RTH1800 knows alot about Iron sights I believe

On an aside, is there any Lyman peep collectors on here? It’s drilled and tapped for what I believe to be a Lyman. Information on these old English rifles is few and far between, can’t even determine an exact year of manufacture. I was looking around and thought it might be cool to have a period right Lyman rear it but holy fuck that rabbit hole is daunting with changes to this or that component over the years, apparently there are collectors of just old peep sights. I believe it needs a Lyman 57WJS but I could be smoking rocks
View attachment 8428215

 

[sirhrmechanic]

I want a nice old Mannlicher-Schoenauer!

Not so much interested in the military version but more so a old custom. Just one of those rifles I've always wanted but didn't get around to yet. Proud owners/ex please comment about them, but especially I'd really like to see some pics! I'm thinking of 6.5x54 or 257 Roberts to keep the...

www.snipershide.com

Might be some good sight info in here!

Sirhr

PS. Off to see Mr. John Rigby…. This could get spendy!

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Didn’t get “too” Spendy.

Great workshop tour!

Sirhr

PS. A ton of rifles ready to ship
To clients in South Africa.

They are balls to the wall busy! Which is great to hear. Order book is full!

 

[VJJPunisher]

Stripped

2 coats dark walnut stain (hang drying)

This is after 3rd coat of 400 grit rubbed in truoil, couple coats to go to get all the poors nice and filled (hang drying)

 

[sirhrmechanic]

That is going to be beautiful!

BTW they were so overwhelmed/ Linder spaced at Rigby, their “drying room”’for spectacularly executed stocks was a closet near the showroom. Perfect setup… and the stock finish it produces is world class!!

But they bought a new premises and are very excited about moving.

That said, the workshops and even showroom are amazing. Total Edwardian workshop space and cozy gun room in the finest tradition. And a new apprentice program. It was amazing and I am glad I got to see it before they go “upscale” in a more modern building nearby!

I wouldn’t trade today’s visit for the Poshest showroom in London!

Cheers! Sirhr

 

[VJJPunisher]

Would really love to have seen that, meaning, probably not get to visit anytime before they move

 

[nockhunter]

Looking good.

Mike

 

[roostercogburn98]

Looking good.

Mike

Don’t encourage him please. Kind of like don’t feed the animals at the zoo

 

[ZG47A]

It’s .600 even, best I can measure

Checked my PH5 sight and the hole-spacing is smaller BUT … I pulled out my copy of Nick Strobel’s book:
Old Gunsights & Rifle Scopes: Identification & Price Guide.
I found the crucial information on p. 245.
Marlin/Ballard, Remington and Winchester all used 0.600 hole spacing and 6-48 screws for receiver sights. Hole spacing for rudimentary receiver sights like the Lyman 21/36 used on the Winchester Models 1886 and 1895 is a separate story.
It doesn’t matter what you choose, whether it be a Lyman 48, Lyman 57 or a Redfield. The young fellas won’t know the difference and the older shooters have all learnt the value of practicality. Just avoid the taller target type models that are made for 500 to 1,000/1,200 yard shooting.
Have fun and don’t forget the hunting pics … even if the first ones only show dead paper targets!

 

[VJJPunisher]

Checked my PH5 sight and the hole-spacing is smaller BUT … I pulled out my copy of Nick Strobel’s book:
Old Gunsights & Rifle Scopes: Identification & Price Guide.
I found the crucial information on p. 245.
Marlin/Ballard, Remington and Winchester all used 0.600 hole spacing and 6-48 screws for receiver sights. Hole spacing for rudimentary receiver sights like the Lyman 21/36 used on the Winchester Models 1886 and 1895 is a separate story.
It doesn’t matter what you choose, whether it be a Lyman 48, Lyman 57 or a Redfield. The young fellas won’t know the difference and the older shooters have all learnt the value of practicality. Just avoid the taller target type models that are made for 500 to 1,000/1,200 yard shooting.
Have fun and don’t forget the hunting pics … even if the first ones only show dead paper targets!

Awsome, thanks for the info, I think I have a Lyman 57 coming from a friend to try on it

 

[roostercogburn98]

48WJS is what he told me, he hates me, so it’s probably a lie

 

[VJJPunisher]

After couple weeks and many coats, I’m happy with the oil finish. Love this rifle more and more. After seeing a few old catalog pictures it looks like they did come with the white line spacers so I decided to leave them in

 

[roostercogburn98]

Guess you like em dark

 

[nockhunter]

Nice

 

[VJJPunisher]

Checked my PH5 sight and the hole-spacing is smaller BUT … I pulled out my copy of Nick Strobel’s book:
Old Gunsights & Rifle Scopes: Identification & Price Guide.
I found the crucial information on p. 245.
Marlin/Ballard, Remington and Winchester all used 0.600 hole spacing and 6-48 screws for receiver sights. Hole spacing for rudimentary receiver sights like the Lyman 21/36 used on the Winchester Models 1886 and 1895 is a separate story.
It doesn’t matter what you choose, whether it be a Lyman 48, Lyman 57 or a Redfield. The young fellas won’t know the difference and the older shooters have all learnt the value of practicality. Just avoid the taller target type models that are made for 500 to 1,000/1,200 yard shooting.
Have fun and don’t forget the hunting pics … even if the first ones only show dead paper targets!

Lyman 48 fit the hole spacing and contour perfectly

Going to leave the base permanatley mounted, whilst using the scope

 

[ZG47A]

Lyman 48 fit the hole spacing and contour perfectly

View attachment 8437567
View attachment 8437568

Going to leave the base permanatley mounted, whilst using the scope

View attachment 8437569

Nice. That is a perfect result. You must have been a very good person in a previous life! Have fun and remember … we want pictures of your—holed—paper targets plus field trophies. Cheers from NZ.

 

[nockhunter]

Very nice

 

[roostercogburn98]

I heard you missed a barn door at 25 yards with this contraption