During the 51 years of its existence the Birmingham Small Arms Company has had to face and overcome many difficulties and has formed a close acquaintance with mighty national and international problems in its dealings with Governments. Its progress, from its inception by a combination of a few individual gunmakers to its present world-renowned position, has been marked by a continuity of sound principles with the happy direction of far-sighted, broad-minded and progressive business men. And well it has been so. For all those problems and difficulties of the past faded into mere nothingness before the appalling situation disclosed on that memorable day in August 1914, when war was declared between England and Germany.
– Munitions of War: A Record of the Work of the BSA Company During the Great War
BSA was the world’s leading supplier of military bicycles. Prior to 1910, bicycles were supplied as fittings only, to be assembled locally. With international orders, this avoided import tax. Australia, for example, published guidelines as to how rough the imported parts must be in order to qualify for import tax exemption. The Australian bicycle and motorcycle industry was founded on BSA Fittings, so BSA parts were the most common to be found in Australian bicycles. When war was declared, BSA bicycles were supplied to Australian soldiers by the British government. You can see a typical example in the photo below.
1917 BSA Territorial
with Military Fittings
Eadie Coaster Brake
Imperial saddle
24″ Frame
28″ Wheels
RIFLE NOT INCLUDED
BSA bicycles were supplied worldwide before, during and after the Great War, both as military and civilian versions. Some territorial cyclist battalions placed bulk orders with individual manufacturers; in others, cyclists supplied their own bicycles. It often depended on whether they would be posted overseas.
As well as the standard military models, officers also placed individual orders with the company if they wished for extra specifications above the standard issue. Hire purchase was available for officers upon enlistment. This single speed 1917 BSA Roadster with coaster brake and Territorial fittings is a typical Cycle Volunteer Corps machine.
The BSA was bought new in 1917 by Jim Chapman of Middlewich Farm, Southminster, Essex. It is cosmetically unrestored. As you can see, it retains its original transfers and box lining all over. But the paint is missing on the top tube from the times that Jim used to carry a shotgun on it. Jim’s son Reg Chapman wrote a book ‘Memories of a Village Grocer.’ Although bicycles are mentioned frequently in the book, Reg does not comment on his father’s BSA, though Reg was born in 1915 so it’s likely he was too young to remember it.
After Jim’s death, the bicycle was passed down through the family. I bought it from David, who knew this machine for many years. Unfortunately by the time David was able to purchase it, the original 1917 shop receipt had been lost by the family. The BSA is in very good condition all round. It’s fitted with BSA handlebar grips, bell, tool bag, inflator pump, rear carrier rack and BSA pattern pedals. I added a rifle clip and rifle – though the rifle is not included in its sale. This impressive machine is ready to display and ride.
