How to Handle the Improved BSA Air Rifle

With thanks to David.

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The BSA Air Rifle (handbook)

With thanks to David.

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The BSA Air Rifle Scientifically Considered

This booklet dates from the 1920s. With thanks to Trevor M for these pics.

The Improved BSA Air Rifle (August 1907)

This edition was printed after the BSA Air Rifle won a gold medal at the New Zealand exhibition in Christchurch 1906-7

The Improved BSA Air Rifle (1906)

With thanks to Trevor M for these pics.

BSA Air Rifles and Accessories, Jan 1939

These two scans taken from the January 1939 'BSA shotguns' dealer hand out brochure. The stamp is for F.J. Cole of Cirencester, a shop where I spent many days as a young airgun enthusiast in the late 1960's / early 1970's.

How to Handle the BSA Air Rifle (mid-1930s?)

Sadly missing the front cover at the moment, but as it mentions the club number 4 rifle,I am guessing the date to be post 1935 for this publication

This manual is similar, but missing some pages and if you look at the list of directors on the last page, some are different, show it's a different edition:

How To Handle The BSA Air Rifle (post-1910)

This booklet, when compared to the one on the Improved model, shows some modification of images to show the 1910 patent side lever cocking arm.

How to Handle the BSA Air Rifle (early 1930s?)

With many thanks to Jason for copies of this rare 1930s owner's manual. It is similar to the other '30s one posted by Eddie. Both mention the No.4 Club model, which shows they date from after 1930.

But if you look at the price of packs of pellets they are several pence cheaper in this manual, which suggests it dates from somewhat earlier. Another difference is that on Eddie's manual the sectional illustration shows a "B.S.A Air Rifle" whereas on this one it specifies that what is shown is the Standard No.2 model.

There may be other differences - if anyone wants to play "spot the difference" please post your findings in the Talk section!

The Book of the BSA Air Rifle (c.1909-1910)

This handbook is undated, but it has an illustration of the Junior Pattern rifle which was introduced in the batch of rifles made between September 1909 and April 1910, according to John Knibbs. The rifles shown have the second (reinforced) pattern of 'bayonet' cocking lever. These were replaced by 'side-catch' levers in the batch of rifles from December 1911.

How to Handle the BSA Air Rifle (1905?)

This appears to be the 1st edition of this owner's booklet. Unlike the later versions, the man demonstrating the use of the BSA air rifle is George Lincoln Jeffries himself. This edition is exceptionally rare and just sold for almost £100 on Ebay. The auction seller supplied these (not great) pics of the booklet for a fee.

The new owner is a lucky man (not me, unfortunately!). The booklet, which consists of seven images showing GLJ cocking and loading the rifle step by step, is a single sheet of paper printed on one side and folded in a concertina, within red card covers. Here it is, illustrated as a whole, then page by page.

How to Handle the BSA Air Rifle (1920s)

We've seen "bowler hat man" (George Lincoln Jeffries) and "cloth cap man" demonstrate the BSA air rifle before WW1. This example has "trilby man" doing the honours. He appears too in the circa 1920 The New Sport and also in the 1930s How to Handle booklet but in outline only - in this one he appears in real photographs.

Care and Cleaning of the BSA Breakdown

With gratitude to Michael for these scans.

The Improved BSA Air Rifle (August 1909)

With thanks to Pete for supplying this handbook: