Thread: All things BSA

Originally Posted by Copelli

That fibreglass BSA Stock is something unique Ryan. Very interesting. What is the Calibre? How does it feel to shoot?

The bottom BSA Rifle is very nice - I'm guessing a (Royal) Viscount in .308 from about 1957-58? Does it have a hollowed out bolt handle?

Yes I'm not real sure exactly the story behind the rifle, I bought it off the rack at Frontier Supplies in Te Anau so it may have been a fiordland rifle all its life, there was also a very nice zkk beside it that had me tempted, I assume they may have been from a deceased estate as are a lot of older rifles that turn up in stores. I actually walked away but then ended up getting a buddy from Te Anau to go back in and purchase the BSA for me (thanks @Rock river arms hunter ) as we live a couple hours from Te Anau. We have a boat at the marina in Te Anau so next time I'm over there I'll pop in and ask the guys if they have any backstory to it. The stock is well made and has been well looked after but doesn't seem "modern" if that makes any sense. In John Knibbs book there is mention of 5 only Viscounts that were released with a factory built fibreglass stock, it may be wishful thinking and I may just never know but I think it would be very neat to discover this was one of them, they would have been very radical for their time!
You are right on the bottom rifle although it's does not have a hollowed bolt knob, again using John Knibbs list the serial puts it as a very early manufactured Royal Viscount so possibly 1956-57 manufactured. It's had a repair to the stock which is why it now has crossbolts but they are tastefully done and somebody has put a lot of love into it, the stock is awesome condition and has had the chequering re-cut and been refinished in an oil finish. Such nice rifles that just feel quality when you use them, I'm quite smitten.
7x57 now has a Kahles S2 2.3-7 scope on it and Parker hale 26mm rings. I'll have the anodizing on the trigger guard re-done and will find a front sight hood from somewhere and it will be complete.