A very rare BSA No 3 Bore .25 Calibre Improved Model D Air Rifle.
Manufactured by BSA, Birmingham, England circa 1908.
This particular example is 43 3/4″ inches in length with a standard pattern 9″ cylinder which is shorter than the longer cylinder and more common 11″ variant, although both models are very scarce. It’s serial number is 21178 which places it in the correct range for a rifle of this calibre. It is stamped on top of the cylinder ‘THE BSA AIR RIFLE (improved model D) The BIRMINGHAM SMALLS ARMS COMPANY LIMITED’, ‘SOLE MANUFACTURERS’ with ‘LINCOLN JEFFRIES PATENT 8761/04’ on the underside of the cocking lever and ‘P.PAT 8246/06’ on the tap plate. It is fitted with a rare BSA No 12 aperture sight which would have been fitted in the factory. The centre sight has been removed and a blanking plate fitted it looks to have been in place for a long period of time. The standard barley corn front sight is undamaged and a separate foresight protector is supplied. The stock is 14 1/4 ” in length and features the BSA Piled Arms stamp on the left side. It is fitted with the correct butt pad.
It is in original condition retaining a fair proportion of its makers finish and cocks and fires without issues.
A very rare example of one BSA’s most collectable Air Rifles.