Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this single-shot rifle today for a penny start auction, this is the Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) / Parker-Hale Model 12/15.
The rifle shown here is the conception of the finest available BSA Martini match rifle built up from standard components. It combines the best points of the Model 12 with those of the Model 15 and has the advantage that it is fitted with the famous Parker-Hale Model 7 rear sight and Model 2 front sight.
The rifle shown here is the conception of the finest available BSA Martini match rifle built up from standard components. It combines the best points of the Model 12 with those of the Model 15 and has the advantage that it is fitted with the famous Parker-Hale Model 7 rear sight and Model 2 front sight.
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SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) / Parker-Hale
Model: 12/15
Serial: P73038
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 29"
Optics/Sights: Parker-Hale Model 2 Globe Front with Model 7A Aperture Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut Forearm and Pistol Grip Stock with Cheekpiece
Action: Single-Shot
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
In the Parker-Hale 1935 catalog, the rifle is introduced as the " B.S.A. - PARKER MODEL 12/15".
In 1940, the year following the commencement of the Second World War, the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs were still offering the familiar range of .22 RF Martini actioned target rifles for sale; these included the oldest conversion of the full-bore Martini service rifle, now in the form of the Parker-Hale CMT2, the Vickers Jubilee and Empire Models, Parker-Hale's 'Dewarifles' and the ubiquitous BSA Models Nos. 12, 15, and here illustrated 12/15. Also then present was the BSA Model 13, in the company of the bolt-actioned Model 1 and Model 2 rifles, which three were advertised as suitable for use by Preparatory Schools and youth target shooting. Renovated War Office Pattern minature rifles were made available, and the long-standing conversion of the still in service S.M.L.E. - the .22RF (rimfire) No.1 Mk.III - was, for obvious reasons, making something of a comeback, either as freshly converted brand-new B.S.A No.1 Mk.III rifles, or as 'Parkerifled' conversions of service rifles. Imported target and sporting rifles were still advertised, although expensive. Winchesters formed the back-bone of such stock; namely the Winchester 52 with Marksman stock, heavy barrel and speed-lock mechanism, or the heavier Bull-barrel Model, plus the Model 75 and Model 677 with scope. The Mossberg M35 ended the list of then available target-shooting related rifles. Many small-bore rifles have been drawn into service in times of war, occasionally for quite unusual tasks although, in the main, basic training and, of course, latterly Home Guard use, were the most common official duties between 1939 and 1945. Such rifles as were present with their owners at Home Guard parades, in common with shotguns, also played a significant part in putting food on the table in times of strict rationing and considerable austerity. Within months, the availability of firearms for civilian purposes had been brought to a rapid and dramatic close. Indeed, no small-bore rifles would again be made publicly available until well after the war. The notably slender 1945 edition of the Parker-Hale catalog (no doubt prepared during 1944 whilst the outcome and time of conclusion of the War were still less than certain elements) offered not a single rifle, solely ancillaries were available.
It has not proved possible to ascertain for certain, details of pre-war production quantities and serial numbering of the BSA Model 12/15. We suspect that it is likely that some rifles without the 'P' prefix are hybrids, especially since British gunmakers, particularly Parker-Hale, were known to offer upgrading of earlier rifles, to a similar specification to that of the 12/15, by adding the long fore-end, pistol grip butt-stock and also by changing such internals as were necessary to complete the conversion; e.g. the under-lever. Both A.J. Parker and Parker-Hale offered all the spares necessary in their catalogs; thus any enterprising and competent shooter could embark on this work.
John Knibbs, in his excellent reference book "The Golden Century - a hundred years of BSA manufacture", reports that 13,260 Model No. 12/15 rifles were sold by B.S.A. up to the 'last' leaving the factory in late 1951 - all within the serial range P60001 to P 73260. However, a further reference is made, at the end of chapter 15, noting that a further 5,396 rifles were despatched in the three and a half years following on from November 1951, with the last serial number being P76006. He then confirms, in a later chapter, that a total production of 18,662 was achieved over an eight year period, from which one would infer an end to final production in 1955 (remember that post-war production recommenced in 1947). According to our research, the highest of these to date is P74895. If the believed total production of over 18,000 is added to the first known serial number, then serial numbers exceeding P78000 should theoretically be possible. Disregarding the forced break during the War years, the rifle was actually in production, in one form or another, over a minimum of a sixteen year period. What has yet to be determined is the starting serial number around 1935 and detail of how pre-war rifle production filled the number-set between that and 60,000, if indeed it was part of that series.
Contents:
This example will ship with the sling seen pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: 12/15
Serial: P73038
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 29"
Optics/Sights: Parker-Hale Model 2 Globe Front with Model 7A Aperture Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut Forearm and Pistol Grip Stock with Cheekpiece
Action: Single-Shot
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
In the Parker-Hale 1935 catalog, the rifle is introduced as the " B.S.A. - PARKER MODEL 12/15".
In 1940, the year following the commencement of the Second World War, the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs were still offering the familiar range of .22 RF Martini actioned target rifles for sale; these included the oldest conversion of the full-bore Martini service rifle, now in the form of the Parker-Hale CMT2, the Vickers Jubilee and Empire Models, Parker-Hale's 'Dewarifles' and the ubiquitous BSA Models Nos. 12, 15, and here illustrated 12/15. Also then present was the BSA Model 13, in the company of the bolt-actioned Model 1 and Model 2 rifles, which three were advertised as suitable for use by Preparatory Schools and youth target shooting. Renovated War Office Pattern minature rifles were made available, and the long-standing conversion of the still in service S.M.L.E. - the .22RF (rimfire) No.1 Mk.III - was, for obvious reasons, making something of a comeback, either as freshly converted brand-new B.S.A No.1 Mk.III rifles, or as 'Parkerifled' conversions of service rifles. Imported target and sporting rifles were still advertised, although expensive. Winchesters formed the back-bone of such stock; namely the Winchester 52 with Marksman stock, heavy barrel and speed-lock mechanism, or the heavier Bull-barrel Model, plus the Model 75 and Model 677 with scope. The Mossberg M35 ended the list of then available target-shooting related rifles. Many small-bore rifles have been drawn into service in times of war, occasionally for quite unusual tasks although, in the main, basic training and, of course, latterly Home Guard use, were the most common official duties between 1939 and 1945. Such rifles as were present with their owners at Home Guard parades, in common with shotguns, also played a significant part in putting food on the table in times of strict rationing and considerable austerity. Within months, the availability of firearms for civilian purposes had been brought to a rapid and dramatic close. Indeed, no small-bore rifles would again be made publicly available until well after the war. The notably slender 1945 edition of the Parker-Hale catalog (no doubt prepared during 1944 whilst the outcome and time of conclusion of the War were still less than certain elements) offered not a single rifle, solely ancillaries were available.
It has not proved possible to ascertain for certain, details of pre-war production quantities and serial numbering of the BSA Model 12/15. We suspect that it is likely that some rifles without the 'P' prefix are hybrids, especially since British gunmakers, particularly Parker-Hale, were known to offer upgrading of earlier rifles, to a similar specification to that of the 12/15, by adding the long fore-end, pistol grip butt-stock and also by changing such internals as were necessary to complete the conversion; e.g. the under-lever. Both A.J. Parker and Parker-Hale offered all the spares necessary in their catalogs; thus any enterprising and competent shooter could embark on this work.
John Knibbs, in his excellent reference book "The Golden Century - a hundred years of BSA manufacture", reports that 13,260 Model No. 12/15 rifles were sold by B.S.A. up to the 'last' leaving the factory in late 1951 - all within the serial range P60001 to P 73260. However, a further reference is made, at the end of chapter 15, noting that a further 5,396 rifles were despatched in the three and a half years following on from November 1951, with the last serial number being P76006. He then confirms, in a later chapter, that a total production of 18,662 was achieved over an eight year period, from which one would infer an end to final production in 1955 (remember that post-war production recommenced in 1947). According to our research, the highest of these to date is P74895. If the believed total production of over 18,000 is added to the first known serial number, then serial numbers exceeding P78000 should theoretically be possible. Disregarding the forced break during the War years, the rifle was actually in production, in one form or another, over a minimum of a sixteen year period. What has yet to be determined is the starting serial number around 1935 and detail of how pre-war rifle production filled the number-set between that and 60,000, if indeed it was part of that series.
Contents:
This example will ship with the sling seen pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $65.00
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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