RAREST & MOST DESIRABLE**1907-1914 BSA Military Long Rifle Pattern ‘Long Lee Type’ .177 Calibre Territorial / Volunteer Lincoln Jeffries Patent Under-Lever Training Air Rifle With Additional Flip Up Aperture Target Peep Sight. Sn 23509 air rifle .177

**RAREST & MOST DESIRABLE**1907-1914 BSA Military Long Rifle Pattern ‘Long Lee Type’ .177 Calibre Territorial / Volunteer Lincoln Jeffries Patent Under-Lever Training Air Rifle With Additional Flip Up Aperture Target Peep Sight. Sn 23509 - 23509

Westley Richards did not proceed with the concept of a military style air rifle beyond the prototype stage but BSA did and introduced the Military Pattern ‘Long’ air rifle in 1907 which continued to be made in small quantities until 1914. A short pattern was also advertised but no examples are known to exist (see Chapter 13 of ‘The Book Of The BSA Air Rifle 1905-1939 by Milewski). The rifles resembled the Long Lee Enfield rifle of the British army and the dummy bolt added to the weight and realism. Long examples were affectionately known as 'Long Lees'. This is an excellent original .177 calibre variant of the BSA Military Long Rifle pattern, Territorial or volunteer training under-lever air rifle with dummy bolt, block & blade fore sight, flip-up ladder rear sight, additional rear flip up aperture target peep sight, rear sling swivel and barrel sling lug. The cylinder is marked 'Made by The Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited BSA Military Air Rifle'. It is serial number 100. The rifle has a 21” long rifled barrel with block and blade fore sight. The rifled bore is clean and it measures 49” overall. It has all original military grade wood work impressed with BSA’s piled arms trademark & correct steel butt plate without trap. The underlever with locking catch has Lincoln Jeffries Patent marking. Above the loading port has ‘Load’ & BSA’s pyled arms trademark. The rifle cocks and fires correctly with a strong spring action. The price for this air rifle arguably one of the rarest and most desirable includes UK delivery. Sn 23509

£4,500.00