Help identifying an III*

[Erkern]

I'm new here, and English not my native tongue, so please bear with me for any mistakes.

I came across this, and was wondering: Is this a sporterized, civilian version of the III*, or could there be some other explanation for the short stock and strange front sight - which I can't seem to find any documentation or pictures on when searching the web.

It's calibre is the standard .303.

Would be very grateful for any information at all.

http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx213/erkern1/SMLE/DSC_0182.jpg

http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx213/erkern1/SMLE/DSC_0184.jpg

http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx213/erkern1/SMLE/DSC_0187.jpg

http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx213/erkern1/SMLE/DSC_0190.jpg

http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx213/erkern1/SMLE/DSC_0186.jpg

http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx213/erkern1/SMLE/DSC_0189.jpg

http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx213/erkern1/SMLE/DSC_0191.jpg

Thanks in advance.

Kind regards,
E

[Bill]

Looks like a sporterized service rifle.

[jrhead75]

It is a sporterized WWII era "Dispersal" rifle. Looks like somebody installed a Mauser sight hood on the foresight when they sporterized it.

The Dispersal rifles were produced at BSA between 1941 and 1944 (IIRC).

[Erkern]

Thanks for answering so quickly!
It's marked 1945, but that doesn't mean it can't be a BSA I gather?
I have compared the foresight to a Mauser, and it looks exactly the same, so I guess that's correct.

Pardon my incompetence, but what exactly IS a Dispersal rifle? A regular III* that was meant for combat but became surplus or was rejected, or something else?

It doesn't matter much, but what would the value of an example like this one be worth (if anything)?

[John Sukey]

Dispersal rifles: Due to the Luftwaffe's factory remodeling scheme, parts were made in many different locations ie: dispersed, and shipped to a central location where they were assembled into rifles.

[terrylee]

Dear Erkern,

If my command of a useful foreign language was as good as yours of English, I'd be a very happy man!

I attach two photos of a dispersal rifle similar to yours. Note that the woodwork is beech and not walnut. I hope that you manage to restore your rifle.

Terrylee

58165817

[Erkern]

Hi,

John: Nex time I'll look up a word I don't know. Thanks for answering. The numbers on the weapon are consistent all over, that IS normal in Dispersals?

Terry: Thanks, I'll let you in on Norwegian curses for starters, as soon as I find a forum that fits more than this one. I know for a fact that the weapon was overhauled by a gunsmith some 15 years ago, and stored carefully afterwards. Was also fired several times, worked fine and accuracy was absolutely acceptable. Need some work with some chemicals, though.

Are sporterized dispersals given away for free, or would there be a prize tag on this?

Thanks again,
E

[jrhead75]

Sporterized No.1 rifles over here (USA) generally go for around $150 or so, depending on what's been done to them. Yours has a couple of things going for it... First, someone did a very nice job of sporterizing it, without cutting any metal, so it can be returned to military trim pretty easily once you can find the parts. Secondly, if that is actually a 1945 date (and not '43, they can look very much alike), it's the first one I've ever seen or heard of...it would be pretty rare.

And to echo Terrylee...I wish my Norwegian was as good as your English. My mother's family was from Stavanger and a better grasp of the language would have helped us kids immensely...mom broke into Norwegian whenever there was something she didn't want us to hear. Would've saved me considerable grief. :D