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BSA Model 15 or is it a Centurion>

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 1:41 pm
by Mike357
OK, so you wanted pictures of my little project.

I took it up to the range on Saturday and sighted in the PH7A sight rested at 25yds. Was getting cloverleaf 3 shoot groups which I was more than happy with as my stance, rest, and technique were all a bit pants. Cant wait to get it down to Barry Buddon at 100yds. Does anybody know of an "official" 22 100yd target that I should be using with the apeture sights?

Still haven't decided on the restoration route but am leaning towards refinishing the existing stock. Does anybody know why the orange stickers have been put on it? Do they serve any purpose?

Also, I haven't been able to work out which model it is I might do that this evening.

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Re: BSA Model 15 or is it a Centurion>

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 2:26 pm
by Mike357
Ok seems to be a Model 12/15 approx late 1940s or early 50s judging by the serial number. What I can't understand is the band around the barrel just before the end of the forend, it doesn't appear on BSA info on the rifleman web site.

Re: BSA Model 15 or is it a Centurion>

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:02 pm
by saddler
Mike357 wrote:Ok seems to be a Model 12/15 approx late 1940s or early 50s judging by the serial number. What I can't understand is the band around the barrel just before the end of the forend, it doesn't appear on BSA info on the rifleman web site.
...the ONLY picture you don't show IS of "the band around the barrel just before the end of the forend"

Re: BSA Model 15 or is it a Centurion>

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:15 pm
by 1066
saddler wrote:
Mike357 wrote:Ok seems to be a Model 12/15 approx late 1940s or early 50s judging by the serial number. What I can't understand is the band around the barrel just before the end of the forend, it doesn't appear on BSA info on the rifleman web site.
...the ONLY picture you don't show IS of "the band around the barrel just before the end of the forend"
:lol: I've just had about three looks for the photo with the band round the barrel. :roll:

I think it's a 12/15 too. It has the rear sight added on the rear of the action like the Mod 12 and has the pistol grip and under-leaver of the Mod 15.

I have a catalogue from 1937 showing the Mod 12 and the Mod 15 but not the 12/15.

The Mod 12 sold for £5.10 and the Mod 15 was £8.15/-

Re: BSA Model 15 or is it a Centurion>

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:25 pm
by dromia
Looks like a 12/15 but can we have some better photos, full length or half length or both?

Looks in good strip so don't ruin it with a modern refinish.

Re: BSA Model 15 or is it a Centurion>

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:32 pm
by dromia
Regarding the barrel band that could mean it has been restocked at some time. I have a Bonehill SMRC large frame Martini action conversion in the collection with a forened band. Queen prize rifles were full stock martinis as well so the wood could have come from a few sources.

Re: BSA Model 15 or is it a Centurion>

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:57 pm
by Dave 101
Hi Mike

I meant to get back to you on this re the barrel band was it anything like this do you think ?
http://www.rifleman.org.uk/Parker_Hale_Dewar_rifles.htm

You do get a lot of BSA / PH reworks on these rifles , I had a mod 12 , then by reading all the info on the rifleman site I realised it had a Cadet .310 barrel fitted which had been sleeved to .22 and cut back at the breech to be a mod 12 take down . Worked it out by the fact the barrel sight was set to far back .
As Droia said the barrel could have been replaced at some stage

Dave

Re: BSA Model 15 or is it a Centurion>

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 7:53 pm
by Mike357
Requested pictures will be up tomorrow.

Re: BSA Model 15 or is it a Centurion>

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 12:17 pm
by Mike357
This is the very thin band around the barrel. It isn't visible on the BSA catalogues on the rifleman web site so not sure what it is for. Also attached some other photos.

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Re: BSA Model 15 or is it a Centurion>

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 12:48 pm
by dromia
Is the band fixed into the forend under the barrel?

The forend appears to have been relieved for the band.

Looks like someone had an idea for improving the rifle, never see the like on a 12/15 before.

Looks in good strip too, how does she shoot?

From the photos the rifle doesn't seem to need much work a bit of a clean and a re-oil is all it needs. What ever you do do not put abrasives, sand paper and the like, anywhere near the wood.

If you want a new looking rifle then do just that buy a new rifle please don't try and make an old one look new.