Unknown -Lincoln Jeffries Patent

 

Thanks for posting

It's a 1906 third batch "BSA Air Rifle" standard pattern. Standard pattern at that time* meant it's a 43 1/2" .177. The only other option was a Ladies pattern 39 1/2". They only made .177 then. It has the less costly "straight hand" stock. A popular shotgun style at the time. George Lincoln Jeffries was better known for shotgun manufacture at the time. Also an airgun importer. All of the earlier BSA say Lincoln Jeffries patent on the cocking lever because he held all the patents. Birmingham Small Arms manufactured both their guns and Lincoln Jeffries alternately. BSA marketed their guns much better . They sold faster and became better known. The last Lincoln Jeffries were released for the most part in 1911.BSA acquired LJ in 1912.

If not for George Lincoln Jeffries there would probably never have been any BSA air rifles. 

* "standard " meant several different things during the prewar BSA production years..

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ALL Lincoln Jeffries underlevers say either "H the Lincoln air rifle" or "L the Lincoln air rifle" on top of the cylinder. H means heavy(standard length 43 1/2). L means ladies. (39 1/2").

Ladies was later changed to Light because the L guns were also very popular with boys and people wanting a lighter handy gun. And what guy wants a girls gun anyhow? 

Prewar Lincoln and BSA are the same gun.