Make: Birmingham Small Arms (BSA)
Model: Commercial Lee-Enfield .315 Sporting Rifle
Serial Number: 17452
Year of Manufacture: 1916-1920s / ATF Classification: C&R
Caliber/Gauge: 8mm BSA (8x50mmR Mannlicher)
Action Type: Bolt action, detachable box magazine
Barrel Length: 25.25", Enfield rifling
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a hooded bead atop a base banded around the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch marked at 100, with two folding leaves marked 200 and 300.
Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture is one piece wood with a straight comb, checkered straight wrist grip, checkered forend, and a smooth metal buttplate. The buttplate shows oxidation and light pitting. There is an unmarked disk screwed into the right side of the stock. The front sling ring appears to have been slightly modified. The furniture shows pressure dings, drag lines, and other mild handling marks. The most notable blemish is a small nick on the left of the stock, near the chamber. The LOP measures 13.25" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are no chips or cracks. The furniture rates in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is grey and the rifling is lightly worn with stubborn fouling. There is light erosion throughout the bore with some light oxidation at the muzzle. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its original metal finish. The finish shows edge wear, spots of thinning, minor scratches, and rub marks. The screw heads are unmarred and retain turnable slots. The markings are clear and complete. Overall, this rifle rates in Good to Very Good condition.
Mechanics: Note that the magazine cutoff is not present, though this is likely a factory feature. The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This BSA Commercial Lee-Enfield Sporting Rifle was manufactured between 1916 and the 1920s and qualifies as a Curio and Relic firearm. Produced by Birmingham Small Arms Company, these rifles adapted the proven Lee-Enfield action into a refined sporting arm for civilian use. To comply with colonial firearms regulations enacted in 1907, BSA chambered many of these commercial rifles for the proprietary 8mm BSA cartridge, also known as the .315 caliber or 8x50mmR Mannlicher. This allowed civilian ownership in British colonies such as India and the Sudan, where rifles chambered in official British military cartridges like the .303 British were prohibited. As a result, these rifles occupy a unique place in both British sporting and colonial firearms history.
Chambered in 8mm BSA (.315 caliber / 8x50mmR Mannlicher) with a 25.25 inch barrel, this rifle retains the smooth, fast-cycling Lee-Enfield bolt action while offering a sporting cartridge intended for hunting medium-sized game. Although less common than military Lee-Enfields, these commercial sporting rifles have become increasingly collectible due to their distinctive history and limited production. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6.5 out of 10, showing moderate wear with visible rifling remaining. The action functions correctly.
The furniture rates in Very Good condition with honest handling wear consistent with its age. This rifle retains approximately 80% of its original metal finish, exhibiting expected thinning and edge wear while maintaining an attractive appearance. Overall, this rifle rates in Good to Very Good condition and represents an uncommon example of a BSA Commercial Lee-Enfield sporting rifle in the historically significant 8mm BSA (.315) chambering, a configuration developed specifically to comply with British colonial firearms regulations. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids!
