BSA No.4 Mk I .303 British Bolt-Action Rifle, 1943 M47C Shirley WWII Production
This Birmingham Small Arms Co. No.4 Mk I is a 1943 Shirley (M47C) production rifle chambered in .303 British, marked by its wartime provenance and correct Mk I configuration. It features the desirable milled micrometer ladder rear sight, protected front blade, full-length hardwood furniture, and a bright, clean bore. U.S. import markings from I.O.
Inc., Melbourne, FL, are present.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are significant markings from previous handling and use. Please refer to the photos for a complete view of the exterior surfaces and markings.
What's Included
- BSA No.4 Mk I .303 British bolt-action rifle
Built at BSA’s Shirley facility and identified by the M47C butt-socket stamp, this No.4 Mk I dates to 1943, squarely within the WWII era of British service production. The import legend reads "I.O. INC. MELBOURNE, FL ENF NO4 MK1 UK .303," and the rifle carries an AU-prefix serial, consistent with the period.
The rifle retains the correct No.4 Mk I configuration with the separate bolt-head catch on the left receiver rail. It uses the Lee-pattern bolt with round knob and a ribbed/milled cocking piece, and it operates with the characteristic cock-on-closing action. The design includes a detachable 10-round magazine, a 25.2-inch barrel, and a 13-inch length of pull.
Sighting equipment is the milled micrometer (Singer-type) ladder rear aperture assembly paired with a protected front blade featuring square protective ears. The front end includes the integral No.4 spigot bayonet boss, as expected for this model and period.
Furniture is full-length hardwood with two upper handguards; the rear handguard has longitudinal cooling grooves. Hardware includes two barrel bands with sling swivels and an additional sling loop at the butt. A brass buttplate with trap provides storage for an oiler and pull-through, completing the rifle’s correct wartime configuration.