Thread: All things BSA

Well, only by people who confused the ads I suppose. They were not sold or advertised as Hunters in NZ but the pictures of the rifles did look the same. Its probably the same as most people thinking all PArker Hales were "Safaris"".

This is the BSA Viscount, imperial etc. (This ad from 1957) Superceded by the BSA Majestic around 1959-60




This is the BSA Hunter from 1954. (They actually had "Hunter" stamped on the left side receiver wall.) The first BSA designed modern sporting rifle. Was only made in .222 (although someone said they had one in .22 Hornet once)

Originally Posted by JohnDuxbury

Well, only by people who confused the ads I suppose. They were not sold or advertised as Hunters in NZ but the pictures of the rifles did look the same. Its probably the same as most people thinking all PArker Hales were "Safaris"".

This is the BSA Viscount, imperial etc. (This ad from 1957) Superceded by the BSA Majestic around 1959-60




This is the BSA Hunter from 1954. (They actually had "Hunter" stamped on the left side receiver wall.) The first BSA designed modern sporting rifle. Was only made in .222 (although someone said they had one in .22 Hornet once)

I see the top advert refers to the rifles collectively as BSA 'Hunting Rifle', so 'Hunting rifle' abbreviated to 'Hunter' ? that plus the trebly stamped 'Hunter' would do it. I know someone who had a Hornet too, God alone knows why when he could of bought a 222

In those days there was only the one BSA rifle, the BSA Hunter in .222. They didnt start making the others till about two years later, and they were marketed, as shown there, as Viscount, Imperial etc. The first rifle had Hunter written on it, and some people just conflated them all I suppose since the ads might have looked similiar. As I say, some people knew there more than one model, and some people thought they were all the same.

John Knibs only made it worse, because he made the same mistake in his book thinking the Viscount was called a "Hunter" But remember he didnt work at BSA, his father had. He has other mistakes as well.

Originally Posted by JohnDuxbury

In those days there was only the one BSA rifle, the BSA Hunter in .222. They didnt start making the others till about two years later, and they were marketed, as shown there, as Viscount, Imperial etc. The first rifle had Hunter written on it, and some people just conflated them all I suppose since the ads might have looked similiar. As I say, some people knew there more than one model, and some people thought they were all the same.

John Knibs only made it worse, because he made the same mistake in his book thinking the Viscount was called a "Hunter" But remember he didnt work at BSA, his father had. He has other mistakes as well.

The ad states that a BSA 'Hunting Rifle' won the Bisley sniper comp. Any info on this ?

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

The ad states that a BSA 'Hunting Rifle' won the Bisley sniper comp. Any info on this ?

Best place would be to ask Bisley. They have a fiarly good record of stuff

There is a chap in New Plymouth with a couple of new BSA barrels to fit the older centrefire rifles.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

I see the top advert refers to the rifles collectively as BSA 'Hunting Rifle', so 'Hunting rifle' abbreviated to 'Hunter' ? that plus the trebly stamped 'Hunter' would do it. I know someone who had a Hornet too, God alone knows why when he could of bought a 222

There was a period sort of around 1963 when the hornet was semi-popular for deer. What ever cullers used seeped into being trendy with recreational hunters and a few cullers used them. I recall them being Savages and Sportcos mainly. Maybe some early Fox's. I can still picture the blue pkts of Canadian hornet ammo. Imperial brand I think, in pkts of 50.

the govt cullers even used 22lr on deer.... but boffins in supply department provided suppressed rifles but supersonic ammunition...I believe the browning T Bolt was weapon supplied... recall reading article about it.... older culler was revisiting his old haunts and compared the two hunts.. back then with .22lr and now with what ever he was using...Abolt think it was...

Indeed JohnDuxbury I have a lovely 1954 BSA stamped "Hunter" on the Receiver in .22 Hornet. Maybe the only one in NZ?

The UK John Knibbs Website confirms the 54-55 stamped "Hunters" were factory produced in .22 Hornet, as well as .222. But likely not many .22 Hornets were in fact supplied.

Originally Posted by Copelli

Indeed JohnDuxbury I have a lovely 1954 BSA stamped "Hunter" on the Receiver in .22 Hornet. Maybe the only one in NZ?

The UK John Knibbs Website confirms the 54-55 stamped "Hunters" were factory produced in .22 Hornet, as well as .222. But likely not many .22 Hornets were in fact supplied.

Have seen a few Hornets around but more in .222.

Originally Posted by tetawa

Have seen a few Hornets around but more in .222.

That's good to know thanks. I have never seen or heard of another stamped 'Hunter' in .22 Hornet in NZ, but I know that you know a lot about BSA's.

Originally Posted by JohnDuxbury

Well, only by people who confused the ads I suppose. They were not sold or advertised as Hunters in NZ but the pictures of the rifles did look the same. Its probably the same as most people thinking all PArker Hales were "Safaris"".

This is the BSA Viscount, imperial etc. (This ad from 1957) Superceded by the BSA Majestic around 1959-60




This is the BSA Hunter from 1954. (They actually had "Hunter" stamped on the left side receiver wall.) The first BSA designed modern sporting rifle. Was only made in .222 (although someone said they had one in .22 Hornet once)

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....act%20supplied.