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Post by nolongcolt on Dec 14, 2013 22:05:00 GMT -5
I ran into one of these tonight in the lgs. I didnt know exactly what it was until I got home and looked it up. Very neat rifle in about 80 percent cond., with safari rifle features. Said LSA on it, thought it said BSA but my boy looked at with his better eyes and confirmed LSA for London Small Arms. They were in business between around 1865 to 1935. Read on a forum that one like it was used in the movie "Ghost and the Darkness" by Val Kilmer. Its marked at $600 and posts I saw on other forums seemed to figure its value at anywhere from $800 to $2000 depending on condition. I will be going back for a second look tomorrow. Anybody familiar with these?
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Otony
.327 Meteor
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Post by Otony on Dec 15, 2013 0:11:48 GMT -5
I'm sure it is very interesting, but unless it is in pristine shape or has some provenance, at the end of the day it is still an Enfield. A custom made Enfield, to be sure, and from Jolly Old to boot, but not a double square bridge magnum Mauser or a Farquharson. Not the same as a G&H Springfield either.
Not to imply it isn't a worthy item, especially to a collector of Old African WH gear, but don't get too carried away with the romance.
I write that as I own several bespoke flintlock fowling pieces made for me that cost upwards of several thousand dollars apiece. That ol' debbil romance latches onto you and that's all she wrote. Next thing you know you will be drinking pink gin and trying to arrange a Howdah tiger hunt. Or shooting pheasants in a tricorn and knee britches.
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Post by nolongcolt on Dec 15, 2013 18:36:54 GMT -5
Well, I got it anyway. Went back and looked it over a little closer. Not perfect a bit of rust here and there, and scarring. I believe the wrong mag but it works. Bore is amazingly clean and rifling looks very good. The muzzle would not accept either a .311 or even a .308 bullet down very far. All matching numbers that I can find. Cant find any major stock defects, lots of scratches and a couple of gouges. Still has the unmarked nameplate on the underside of the buttstock, nice wood by the way. Buttplate with trap. Horn forend cap and pistol grip cap. Nice checkering, not all worn off. Front sight base is integral with the barrel, not banded. Nitro proofed. Condition is probably less than I first thought, more like 60-70 percent overall. I dont see how I can lose on this one and it was marked $100 less than I thought. I will post a couple pics later.
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Post by nolongcolt on Dec 16, 2013 23:20:15 GMT -5
Well, I got it anyway. Went back and looked it over a little closer. Not perfect a bit of rust here and there, and scarring. I believe the wrong mag but it works. Bore is amazingly clean and rifling looks very good. The muzzle would not accept either a .311 or even a .308 bullet down very far. All matching numbers that I can find. Cant find any major stock defects, lots of scratches and a couple of gouges. Still has the unmarked nameplate on the underside of the buttstock, nice wood by the way. Buttplate with trap. Horn forend cap and pistol grip cap. Nice checkering, not all worn off. Front sight base is integral with the barrel, not banded. Nitro proofed. Condition is probably less than I first thought, more like 60-70 percent overall. I dont see how I can lose on this one and it was marked $100 less than I thought. I will post a couple pics later. Here is a couple pix. I lightened the side shot for detail.   I say, pink gins all round before we kwenda? Anybody peckish? Eh wot? |
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Post by boxhead on Dec 17, 2013 5:56:57 GMT -5
Go over to the Double Gun Journal forum and query. Someone there will provide the proper answer. Sounds like a very nice rifle.
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,745
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Post by cmh on Dec 17, 2013 9:47:51 GMT -5
Great looking LSA...... might I suggest you visit the british gun pub at gunboards.com. A few of the guys are very knowlegeable about these sporters. Congrats
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Post by nolongcolt on Dec 17, 2013 11:49:14 GMT -5
Already been to gunboards, following a thread over there about these. Sounds like the LSA is fairly rare and the BSA sporter a little less so. Thanks!!
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,745
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Post by cmh on Dec 17, 2013 12:47:33 GMT -5
Good  I really like the rifle and given the chance I would of snapped it up as well. It reeks of the Tsavo If you decide to ever sell it remember me  |
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jsh
.327 Meteor
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Post by jsh on Dec 18, 2013 22:59:43 GMT -5
You got any more pictures?
I have a bad weak spot for old spotters. Had a krag sporter that I swapped off to my shooting/casting buddy. Mannlicher stocked looked to be an early Bishop or Fajen nice old set of Lyman peeps on it. Then picked up an early sporter VZ in 8-06. Gs guys were scared of it as the ammo that came with it would not chamber. Bought it for a song. Dies cost me more than the gun. Most guys that see it think it is a real early weatherby at first glance.
Not really a sporter but yet it is. One of the Gibbs enfields in 45-70. Would really like to have a couple more actions to build one myself.
You have a fine old rifle that I am sure could tell some good stories.
Jeff
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Post by nolongcolt on Dec 19, 2013 0:22:16 GMT -5
You got any more pictures? I have a bad weak spot for old spotters. Had a krag sporter that I swapped off to my shooting/casting buddy. Mannlicher stocked looked to be an early Bishop or Fajen nice old set of Lyman peeps on it. Then picked up an early sporter VZ in 8-06. Gs guys were scared of it as the ammo that came with it would not chamber. Bought it for a song. Dies cost me more than the gun. Most guys that see it think it is a real early weatherby at first glance. Not really a sporter but yet it is. One of the Gibbs enfields in 45-70. Would really like to have a couple more actions to build one myself. You have a fine old rifle that I am sure could tell some good stories. Jeff Here    s a couple more. Unusual front sight base. Express sights. LSA on the socket. Proof marks. |
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Post by nolongcolt on Dec 19, 2013 0:25:08 GMT -5
You got any more pictures? I have a bad weak spot for old spotters. Had a krag sporter that I swapped off to my shooting/casting buddy. Mannlicher stocked looked to be an early Bishop or Fajen nice old set of Lyman peeps on it. Then picked up an early sporter VZ in 8-06. Gs guys were scared of it as the ammo that came with it would not chamber. Bought it for a song. Dies cost me more than the gun. Most guys that see it think it is a real early weatherby at first glance. Not really a sporter but yet it is. One of the Gibbs enfields in 45-70. Would really like to have a couple more actions to build one myself. You have a fine old rifle that I am sure could tell some good stories. Jeff Here View AttachmentView AttachmentView Attachments a couple more. Unusual front sight base. Express sights. LSA on the socket. Proof marks. And another  |
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Post by nolongcolt on Dec 23, 2013 21:14:18 GMT -5
I had a chance to shoot this thing today. Shot like a damn! Even with the crude sights I was able to get tight groups at 50 and 100 yds with my handloads. Did everything it was supposed to do nicely. Sure not sorry I found and bought this rifle. Ready for my pink gin now Otony!! Eh wot??
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Otony
.327 Meteor
Posts: 722
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Post by Otony on Dec 23, 2013 21:33:06 GMT -5
Pink gin and a pith helmet, old boy! Quite, quite.
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Post by nolongcolt on Dec 23, 2013 22:47:59 GMT -5
Pink gin and a pith helmet, old boy! Quite, quite.  LOL!! |
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Otony
.327 Meteor
Posts: 722
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Post by Otony on Dec 23, 2013 23:44:01 GMT -5
By the by, old pip, I do believe that front sight base has some other function. Have you noticed any seams? It wasn't uncommon for that type of rifle to have a reversible front sight. T'other sight would be sporting a goodly sized chunk of ivory, what they termed a "moon sight". Just the thing for shooting tigers from a blind at night.
Only mad and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun. Best order that helmet and some putees from the quartermaster, double time, hup!
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I really like the rifle and given the chance I would of snapped it up as well. It reeks of the Tsavo 
LOL!!