Fall 2022 Project - Bavaria BSF Model S60

[c801tfd]

A little over a month ago I bought this Bavaria BSF S60 from Baker Airguns. It was rusty, smelly, barely cocked and if it did it would not stay that way for long if at all.

This rifle challenged me every step of the way and there were 3-4 times that I almost threw in the towel and leave it as a parts gun because I just could not figure out the early discharge issue after and during breech lockup. The good news is once I figured out how to fix this problem everything fell into place.

This is an iron sights only version as there are no grooves for a scope. Good thing the front and rear sights were still with this rifle.

During the early phase I tore it down and found it was not rusted in the compression tube, leather piston seal was still pliable as well. The bore was in great shape, cleaning the barrel out really made it shine inside. The spring seemed like it was almost new as well as the breech seal. I also found that the numbers on the breech block and compression tube matched.

I cleaned the rust off the outside surfaces and gave it a nice cold blue and silicon cloth wipe down.

Put it all back together and the lockup/early firing still existed. Decided the problem was in the trigger. Not being a person who works on triggers and feeling I had just a pile of parts instead of a rifle I disassembled the trigger. Nothing was broken and the sear and piston catch were not worn. Put it all back together same problem. Tore it down again, looked at pictures I could find online and that’s when I discovered a few problems. First being the trigger sear catch alignment had to be in the cocked position when being reassembled. Second was the rear trigger sear tension spring was weak not allowing enough force on the piston catch to keep it locked up when cocked.

Having figured this out I put it back together and it has worked flawlessly since. So far I like the trigger pull it came with so I have not used the adjustment screw yet.

The last part of the project was refinishing the Sile stock. It had some sort of colored finish that hid the wood. While not the greatest of grains the refinished Beech stock looks better in my opinion. The stock had 4 coats of Tru-Oil applied. I decided to put the sling hardware back on, but will be looking for a nice leather one to replace the old canvas strap.

Overall, I am happy with the end result which saved another classic from the recycling bin.

[c801tfd]

More pictures of the BSF Model S60

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Last pictures of BSF Model S60

[threesuns]

No way that is the same gun!?! Nice work.

[c801tfd]

Threesuns,

The transformation from near junk to a keeper really came together this morning when I put it all back together. The change in appearance even shocked me.

[pgritty]

Very nice work. How does it shoot?
Pat

[c801tfd]

pgritty,

Took it out tonight and shot two groups of 5 from 15 yards. Since I do not own a shooting table my accuracy tests are always standing unsupported off hand. This S60 is an iron sights gun only so my accuracy test worked well as I am pleased with both groups, the second group has 3 of the 5 shots hitting the same ragged hole.

As for velocity I used 7.9 grain Crosman Premier Domed pellets. Here are the Chronograph results:

Shot 1: 765
Shot 2: 759
Shot 3: 761
Shot 4: 761
Shot 5: 764

[pgritty]

nice consistency on the fps and the groups.
Pat

[Pellet Fun]

Another great save Elroy. That blueing does the trick and the wood brings it to life. Your offhand just tops off the write up.

[MDriskill]

Congrats on a great rescue from Airgun Purgatory! It looks and shoots great.

That must be a really early S.60, I don't think I've ever seen one without a scope rail. Very interesting rifle.

[c801tfd]

Gary,

Thank you, this project even surprised me and then I went out and shot 2 groups that basically floored me. I only planned on 1 group, saw how well that went and decided to see if it was a fluke. Nope this rifle is accurate just the way it is.

[Pellet Fun]

You are most welcome. 

[c801tfd]

Mike,

Thank you, its been a while. looks like you had some fun in Hickory. One day I hope to start getting out to shows like that.

I really like this rifle but it was so tough to get right it almost stayed in "Airgun Purgatory" I thought about letting it go as well but since it shoots so well I think I will keep it and put it with my %%N, Model 35 and a close relative the Marksman Model 70. I also know I will be watching for a 54 and an S70 in the future.

As far as I can tell and from the few pictures I have found it is failry early since it does not have the scope rail. I also found it odd that it did not have the typical ring depressions like most other BSF rifle which makes me think it may be a transitional design as well. In researching the S60 I found that it was the bread and butter gun of BSF until they produced the 55. Here is a thead from 2015 showing one similar to my S60:
https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=100267.0

Like you said it is a very interesting rifle.

Also knowing you like scale modeling as well I thought I would share a couple pictures of my other favorite hobby that has kept me busy when I dont have a project rifle to work on - Model Ship Building in any scale 

[pgritty]

Excellent work on the models. Did you make the displays with the waves?
Pat

[c801tfd]

Pat, yes from Hobby Lobby wood bases and acrylic paint and clear gel coat.