BSA Improved Mod D Air Rifles

[Certus]

Hello,

Here is a picture of three of my BSA Improved Mod D Air Rifles all now over 100 years old. They are from top to bottom 1911 Ordinary Pattern (full sized),1912 Light Pattern (mid sized) for ladies and a 1911 Junior Pattern for youths.



I still shoot the full size air rifle quite a lot but more regularly use a 1912 Light Pattern which I have fitted with a BSA No 8 Aperture Sight to compensate for my gradually worsening (age related) eye sight.

Regards

Brian

[pmh]

You'll have to hide the away, and hope Graham doesn't know where you live!

Kind regards,



Phil

[Tank]

Well I have now an Improved Model D on it's way to me. I was offered one by a chap who was selling one of his "swaps" from his collection. It transpires that the straight stocked version is more desirable than the pistol grip variety (mine is pistol grip) because they are less common than the originally more expensive pistol grip version? Perverse I know.
The seller has been quite honest with me about the condition I think and the foresight has been filed - a common occurance to facilitate aim at a greater distance - and one of the screws has broken off the buttplate cover, something I will repair when it gets here.
Next thing is to find a sight such as the Parker Hale foresight and the No.8 rear sight because, as Brian, my eyesight is no longer 20/20, the arms fair in June is where I am headed

[Certus]

Hello Graham,

Congratulations on obtaining your Improved Mod D which will provide hours of fun. I'm glad you intend shooting the rifle as I have found them to be every bit as accurate as modern alternatives.

Be careful when you source the No 8 peep sight as they were made in several heights with the short stem being most suitable for use with an air rifle. The link below will tell you all you need to know about the sight. The No 8 sight was available when your rifle was made and BSA also sold a foresight tunnel not too dissimilar to the PH FS22 so the thing is definitely in the spirit of the original.

http://www.rifleman.org.uk/BSA_sights_a ... es.htm#No8

If you let me have the Ser No I will be able to tell you exactly when you rifle was made. I only collect straight hand stock Mod Ds because I prefer the look of them but as you say they don't come up as often as the pistol hand stocks. Fitting a No 8 to a straight hand stock is a doddle but you will have to do some inletting to the woodwork to accommodate the pistol hand stock. Below are a few pictures of the neatest peep sight (No 12) BSA fitted to the Mod D which was factory fitted and could be ordered as an option. These are not all that common but in my opinion look a lot neater than the No 8 or the 21 / 21a. I have had this example for some time and although only adjustable for elevation the sight looks and performs at least as well as my No8 sighted rifle.


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Regards

Brian

[Tank]

As always Brian, very informative, The serial number of my rifle is 28026 and I would be very interested in finding out when it was made. I fully intend using the gun regularly and the previous owner has told me he shot it regularly too and that it is accurate as you say. I must say I am very much looking forward to receiving it.

[Certus]

Hi Graham,

Your Improved Mod D was made in 1910 which was also the year BSA took sole supply of the design and specific Lincoln Jeffries marked rifles ceased to be available. So 103 years old so it should come with a telegram from the queen !

Regards

Brian

[Tank]

Hi Graham,

Your Improved Mod D was made in 1910 which was also the year BSA took sole supply of the design and specific Lincoln Jeffries marked rifles ceased to be available. So 103 years old so it should come with a telegram from the queen !

Regards

Brian

Very helpful Brian thank you. Looking forward to actually getting the rifle and shooting it.
I have studied the straight stocks and to be honest it won't take much making. I have a nice piece of American Walnut here would do the job lovely, very tempting. I was also offered a Light Pattern but I really wanted to try my hand at the Bell Target in exactly the same way as "back in the day". I have also bought a period Bell target too

[Certus]

Hello Graham,

I have tried a bit of 6yd Bell Target shooting with my BSA Mod Ds and found it very satisfying when you can get the old bell ringing on a regular basis. For me the Light Pattern worked a bit better being a little lighter and therefore easier to hold on aim. A peep sight and ring foresight are a definite advantage for this discipline.

Regards
Brian