I have a BSA Model 15 .22 special stock from my grandfather's collection. The markings on the barrel and the markings under where the forestock is attached have H.M. Pope stamped. The barrel is around 27.5" with an overall length of around 44".

Looking at insuring it and need to know how do I authenticate this is a true H.M. Pope model and not the Olympic models he just inspected and stamped? The value is a lot more than the regular models and from what I have read there are very few of these in existance.

Thx!

Top barrel H.M. Pope zoom.

Left side view.

Travelor wrote on Dec 1^st, 2016 at 6:54am:


More likely that it's a reworked Model 12, given that the 12/15 was a little after Pope's time. Also there should be serial number(s) on the breechblock and other internals; the 12/15s all started with a "P" in the serial number, so without that, it's probably not a 12/15.

neat rifle one we'd all love.   But just curious about how it came to be.   Would he have rebarrelled it with one of his own, or did someone else put an authentic Pope "take-off" barrel on the BSA action?

how could you tell?

This is a great rifle thank you for sharing. I'd love to read a range report  Could make for a good article for the ASSRA Journal.
Scott

I would like to thank everyone on the information so far for this rifle. My grandfather was an FFL dealer in the state of New York back in the 1930's until his death in 1982. He began shooting in the 1920's attending many matches at Camp Perry to which we have many small bore competition medals he earned. We have never used this rifle, though the action works properly. The barrel bore is very clean with no pits or bad spots whatsoever. Really not sure how this rifle became part of his personal collection but I am interested in finding out its history. Any additional information on properly identifying this will be much appreciated. 

Here is an image of the serial number on the receiver. When I have time I will post additional images of the other serial numbers that are on the gun.

CELDezign, no mystery as to how your Grandfather came into that Rifle. Being a serious Small Bore shooter he would have wanted the very best. So he either had Pope barrel a Rifle for him. Or he went looking for one by Pope. Being a FFL License holder at that time taking ownership would have been a piece of cake for him. Back in those day's there were many home based FFL dealers. I dealt with many who had their shopstore in refurbished chicken houses, Garages, Cellars, Etc. It was not a problem then to get FFL and local Permits. I suspect that he ordered it. And he was smart,  The BSA Martini sits right up there with the best Falling Block Single Shot Rifles. He also was smart enough to keep it in his estate. Hoping maybe there would be someone in the Family that would care to follow Him.
Treasure it and shoot it once in a while. Care for it, no matter what you hear clean it when done and lightly Oil the Bore and 
outside and store it in dry clean place in a decent protective sleeve. This an item that even now has some significant $$ Value. HTH Regards, FITZ.