B.S.A. AND LINCOLN JEFFRIES AIR RIFLES: A CONCISE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURE 1904-1918. By John Knibbs.

1986 1st edition. 4to (180 x 246mm). Pp157 + 3pp ads. B/w photographs, b/w illustrations by Gilbert Kerry. Black boards, spine titled in gilt.

"This is the first concise and detailed historical account of the conception, development and production of these early twentieth century air-rifles". "In 1904, when the directors of the Birmingham Small Arms Company ...first agreed to manufacture air rifles using ...modern mass production methods, little did they realise the impact that George Lincoln Jefferies' patent air rifle would have... In these pages it is possible to trace the history of each and every development and improvement leading to the numerous models produced up to the end of the Great War. ...The much sought after and fascinating .25 calibre Sporting rifles and the various Military Pattern rifles are for the first time comprehensively categorised and discussed. So efficient was the Lincoln Jeffries fixed barrel under lever cocking design that it is still used worldwide over 80 years later. This book is the culmination of over seven years of study and research and will become the classic reference book for all BSA enthusiasts".