deny essex Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 Pulled this picture up of an old air rifle I own, .177 smooth bore, I was using and mucking about with air rifles from the mid fifties onwards but never shot or had seen any rifle like or similar to this one . No name apart from what I understand as being a shop suppliers name of "Searles" The PW massive now being so big since I last put it on the forum I am looking for a knowledgeable dating if anyone can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 Googled 'searles' air rifles and it gave patent dates of 1909 to 1913, concerning an air rifle, but blue-print image is so small I can't say if it applies to the rifle above or not. Try vintage gun sites, there are many rifles such as yours in circulation. Very collectible so someone will have a definite date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 I have one almost identical apart from a pistol grip, always thought it was a BSA although no markings, isnt searles a large American store ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 how accurate is it ...if it is a smooth bore.............do you still play with it !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitty tree Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 nice gun fella. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 A gun exactly the same as yours sold today at horners auction at Acle norfolk . The gun was described as being a BSA standard s prefix .22 air rifle c 1922 . The gun sold for £280 . Harnser I have one almost identical apart from a pistol grip, always thought it was a BSA although no markings, isnt searles a large American store ? Sears ,is the large american store . Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark@mbb Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 It is a BSA standard if you google John Knibbs hey will tell you on there website the date if you want to sell it i may be interested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted December 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 how accurate is it ...if it is a smooth bore.............do you still play with it !!! I have not played with my smooth bore for ages , at my age I try to conserve my strength. Like wise with the rifle . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted December 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Thanks for the replies guys, after your suggestions it does look to be like an early Diana, It has sat in a cupboard for near 40 years and works but not immaculate and wasnt when I got it. It used to sit in a rifle rack with my field air rifles when that was my primary shooting veign, will need to go to a good home and receive some TLC sometime soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 I think the BSA of that time were tap loaded built around the same time, the 1909 models i think were the earlier, there is a way of telling the rarer ones,i am sure its something to do with some screws above or around the trigger one has 2 and the other just the one. They need to be in very very good condition to fetch any think decent. I looked at one not too long ago that some one had so called done up, they had cleaned it to the point that all the print, or etched model marks and manufactures marks had now become nice and shiny . Yours i think is more likely "Diana" as suggested and I think your would have a guide price of about £70 if its in a fair condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted December 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 I think the BSA of that time were tap loaded built around the same time, the 1909 models i think were the earlier, there is a way of telling the rarer ones,i am sure its something to do with some screws above or around the trigger one has 2 and the other just the one. They need to be in very very good condition to fetch any think decent. I looked at one not too long ago that some one had so called done up, they had cleaned it to the point that all the print, or etched model marks and manufactures marks had now become nice and shiny . Yours i think is more likely "Diana" as suggested and I think your would have a guide price of about £70 if its in a fair condition. I remember the tap load BSA's and feels correct with what has been said and what I have looked up that it is a Diana, single screw on the trigger adjustment and does have or part of its serial number. Its never been monetary value to me more the curio piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Joe Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 That gun has all the traits of BSA, Lincoln Jefferies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 (edited) this is mine (poor condition) rifled, always thought BSA 177 Edited December 5, 2014 by islandgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREENGRASS Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Nice old guns thanks for posting.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 I have just sold an identical gun which had Lincoln Jeffries stamped into the stock. The gun was rifled and had a barrel locking push button device on the left side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted December 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 this is mine (poor condition) rifled, always thought BSA 177 They look very similar but the rear site is different , breach block pivot area a different config and the trigger and guard are different maybe the cousin to mine, a nice looking piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 They look very similar but the rear site is different , breach block pivot area a different config and the trigger and guard are different maybe the cousin to mine, a nice looking piece. it was given to me in the seventies by a man from Stock, near Chelmsford, so maybe they are related Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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