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1919 Basco bolt action??

cbxjeff
A friend called today to ask me about a new treasure she bought. I can't find anything about it in Flayderman maybe someone can help.

She describes it as a bolt action rifle chambered in 303 British. It is marked "Basco" and "SMLE", a date of 1919, "ETR or FTR" all stamped on the receiver I believe. Also stamped on the barrel is "NP" plus the serial # of A24450.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

cbxjeff<P>It's too late for me, save yourself. <br>
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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • mark christian
    Okay Jeff here we go. NP means Nitro Proof (actually PROVEN is correct), SMLE means Short Magazine Lee Enfield, FTR was the British military term used to denote Factory Through Repair, or what we in the USA would call rebuilding or refurbishing, and BASCO represents the actual factory or facility which perform the factory through repair on that particular rifle.

    Mark T. Christian
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by cbxjeff
    A friend called today to ask me about a new treasure she bought. I can't find anything about it in Flayderman maybe someone can help.

    She describes it as a bolt action rifle chambered in 303 British. It is marked "Basco" and "SMLE", a date of 1919, "ETR or FTR" all stamped on the receiver I believe. Also stamped on the barrel is "NP" plus the serial # of A24450.

    Anyone have any ideas?

    Thanks

    cbxjeff<P>It's too late for me, save yourself. <br>




    Is it possible that your friend transposed the marking on the rifle? Instead of "BASCO" it could be "BSA CO" for the Birmingham Small Arms Company. They were a large manufacturer who provided and reworked various firearms for the British military for over 70 years from the 1880's to the 1950's.

    luger_4.jpg
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  • cbxjeff
    Thanks for the info. guys. Unfortunately, it does read "BASCO". I check with her again though. I suggested to her that the 1919 date was probably the date of refurbishing since it had no "pat." alongside it. Sound reasonable?

    cbxjeff<P>It's too late for me, save yourself. <br>
    0
  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by cbxjeff
    Thanks for the info. guys. Unfortunately, it does read "BASCO". I check with her again though. I suggested to her that the 1919 date was probably the date of refurbishing since it had no "pat." alongside it. Sound reasonable?

    cbxjeff<P>It's too late for me, save yourself. <br>


    It would be easy enough to tell, If the rifle is a Short Magazine Lee Enfield, "Mark III", ( rifle that England used during W W I ), the date would be correct for refurbishment.

    If The rifle is a Short Magazine Lee Enfield, "No. 4 Mark II or III" it's a World War II vintage, British Military rifle, so the date would be wrong.

    Post some pictures if you can, they can be readily identified by photos.
    '

    luger_4.jpg
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