BSA Model 12 adaptation for Rapid-Fire

This ingenious early adaptation of a Model 12 BSA target rifle for use in rapid fire competition was discovered recently.

Once a round is loaded into the breech of the Martini action and the falling-block raised by drawing back the under-lever against the added spring (perhaps taken from a pair of garden pruning secateurs), and the trigger is pulled, the lower side of the palm of the hand of the right-handed shooter can be dropped against the brass release lever protruding beneath the pistol-grip, and the spring forces the under-lever firmly and quickly forward, lowering the falling-block and ejecting the fired cartridge case at some speed. It is suspected that the flat spring, in the base of the action, and which drives the ejector lever back, has been strengthened to achieve this.

See a VIDEO CLIP OF THIS RIFLE IN ACTION

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The various components of the modified actioning can be seen in the image below.

The circular brass base fitting held in the base of the pistol-grip by four screws holds the release lever that pivots the sear-like device that locks into the ratchet type pawl behind the under-lever.

The small brass drum shown immediately beneath the rear of the pistol-grip is the A.G. Parker designed cup to contain replacement alternative sized fore-sight ring elements.

Hover over or Click image to bring up hi-res file and magnifier

The trigger has a shoe added to it, and an adjustable trigger-stop is fitted into the rear of the trigger-guard. The trigger mechanism has been finely honed at the sear and bent to give a smooth and creep-free light pull.

A short dovetail has been let into the underside of the fore-end wood just ahead of the trigger-guard, which has a 3/16" hole drilled through it.

The reason for the hole is uncertain, although it is perhaps for the adjustment of the trigger stop in days before allen-heads and keys made such access simpler.

A theory for the dovetail has been suggested as a mount for a palm-rest for standing competition but, again, there is no certainty here.

If by any lucky chance you have any knowledge of this rifle or its history we would be grateful to hear of it.

 

Another fitting of uncertain purpose is the sleeve mounted on the left side of the action body that would perhaps have taken a rod for some component that could then be adjusted fore-and-aft. It is not unlike some of the target rear-sight mounting arrangements of these past times.

The rifle's existing aperture rear-sight is the Parker-Hale optional accessory Model 7A,
with the "Dead Centre" six-hole eyepiece with a clip to accommodate a coloured filter or correcting lens.

Details of this, and many other BSA and Parker-Hale sights can be found HERE.

The next image offers a closer view of the underside of the workings.

 

Two circular recesses had been cut into the right side of the butt to hold discs of some kind. Rather than leave them untidily empty we have fitted contemporary medals of the Essex and Suffolk shooting associations.

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The capability of the rifle is perhaps not best illustrated by someone testing it for the first time, and without an ammunition block suitable for rapid fire; but the potential efficiency of the system is unquestionable.