Airsporter Mk 1

[zooma]

Hi Robin,

There seems to be two types of stock found on Mk 1 Airsporters - the one piece type's that are also usually stamped with the BSA logo and the three piece stock like mine that uses more exotic wood but is not stamped.

The three piece wood type is laminated just in-front of the trigger - possibly to reduce the cost of the more expensive wood types by using three smaller pieces and they are not usually stamped - if they are all made from wood as hard as mine is then stamping may not have looked so good in any case?

[RobinC]

This one is one piece and unstamped, and it looks a nice grained wood, what would the date be?

Does the prefix on the number mean anything, mine is GB 4080 so not a big number, I'd have thought they were making these in big quantities?
I said the blue was good and original but also the etching on the action is complete and as the day it was done.
I thought this was just an old sporter, but is it collectable?
Robin

[zooma]

Mk 1 Airsporters are popular along with the Mk 2 and the Airsporter Club and the Webley Mk 3 air rifles so if you decide to part with yours let me know as I would like to picture it alongside my other variant of the Mk 1 Airsporter and put them together on bobsairguns as a permanent comparison reference.

The BSA Airsporter Club and the Webley Mk 3 Super-Target are probably the most desirable from this group of rifles from a similar time period - both are .177 only and were intended for target or bell -target work although they were only slightly different from the sporter types apart from the sights and the calibre.

I will check the number on my Mk 1 when it gets back from Collin's Blues Works and let you know what it is.

I have no idea if the 3 piece stock was made before or after the single piece stock .................but I bet somebody on CAPA will come along soon that does know the answer

[RobinC]

Thanks Bob
You're welcome to photograph it but as you know I'm a bit loath to sell my guns, once I have them I'm inclined to keep them, the only ones we sell I regret!
I'm still looking for the wifes 75 to get that back, and although it would still be sat in the cabinet unused I regret selling my original Walther running boar LGR bought new, but at least that went to a good home and an enthusuastic collector.

[mrto]

Sorry to jump in, but its reminded me that I have a .22 BSA Airsporter bought second hand in 1972 that I had almost forgotten about, tucked away in my security.
Its my only non target rifle, used very rarely , probably only two or three times in the last 40 years. Its in nice original condition blue, and the alloy tail is almost complete original black finish, there are no scope dovetails. I had refinished the stock shortly after I bought it with many coats of beeswax, I remember it taking a lifetime.

Its serial number GB4080 do any of the experts know what mark it is and when it hails from?
Best regards
Robin

Hi Robin,
Airsporters with prefix GB were made from 1956 to 1958 confirming that yours is indeed a MK1.

ATB.

[RobinC]

Thanks mrto
So definately a Mk 1, '56 to '58. The stock is definately a one piece, does that indicate it was early? The sights are adjustable elevation on a tubular base with a lock wheel, and it has the auto opening breach which I gather from some other sources that not all had?
Its not mint although I've seen worse guns described as such, but it is in very good condition, probably as a result of being sat in my cabinet for 40 years! Its very interesting to find out about it and any info is much appreciated.
Best regads
Robin

[mrto]

Thanks mrto
So definately a Mk 1, '56 to '58. The stock is definately a one piece, does that indicate it was early? The sights are adjustable elevation on a tubular base with a lock wheel, and it has the auto opening breach which I gather from some other sources that not all had?
Its not mint although I've seen worse guns described as such, but it is in very good condition, probably as a result of being sat in my cabinet for 40 years! Its very interesting to find out about it and any info is much appreciated.
Best regads
Robin

Hi Robin,
I have three MK1 Airsporters one of which is a GA prefix 1954-56 and two of which are GB prefix 56-58 the same as yours.The stock on my GA prefix MK1 is three piece and embossed BSA on the stock butt and the main stock bolt is a stud and seperate threaded nut over which is fitted a bakerlite threaded cap .Both of the stocks on the GB prefix guns I have are
three piece and not embossed.One is secured with the stud and seperate threaded nut and bakerlite threaded cap.The other is secured by a single long threaded bolt and the stock has no provision to accept a threaded cap.
There was a thread on the BBS concerning stocks stock bolts and which were fitted to which series,but people had so many different variations within the same series it seems BSA pretty much put them together based on what stocks etc they had to hand.If I can find the thread again I will post a link to it here.
Is the etching visible on yours on the top of the cylinder by the way?It was only on the MK1 and MK2 that the tap was opened automatically by the cocking lever.Later models were progressively cheapened and bear little resemblance to the early MK1 and MK2's.
In my opinion the only Airsporters worth owning are the MK1 and MK2,though I do have an RB2 simply to have an example of the different type of breech.

Regards,
Mark.

[RobinC]

Thanks Mark,
Mine has the bolt securing the action and no provision for a cap. The stock is definately one piece and unstamped.
The blueing is almost perfect for a used gun, just the odd small scratch, and a very small patch is worn off the barrel, I suspect from the previous owner using a sling. The etching is perfect and totaly visable.
Best regards
Robin

[mrto]

Thanks Mark,
Mine has the bolt securing the action and no provision for a cap. The stock is definately one piece and unstamped.
The blueing is almost perfect for a used gun, just the odd small scratch, and a very small patch is worn off the barrel, I suspect from the previous owner using a sling. The etching is perfect and totaly visable.
Best regards
Robin

Hi Robin,
Here is the link I mentioned http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread.php ... ter+stocks some of the posts contain information you may find interesting.

Here are a couple more links one showing old BSA ad's http://bsaog.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=14463.0 and the other showing BSA production dates http://bsaog.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2587.0

Cheers,
Mark.

[johnbaz]

Hi

I love Airsporters!!

here's a few of mine..


First three are mk1, next three are mk2..



Left, RB2 carbine
Right Airsporter 'S'



Mk1 in the rarer .177cal..



Airsporter Stutzen..



I've another mk1 and another mk2, The mk1 was in a very abused state, it's all refurb'd now but I have to make a piston seal for it before I can reassemble it



Cheers, john