BSA MK III serial number

[Calflash]

I have a 1917 BSA MK III with serial number D83xxx. What does the "D" mean?

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[5thBatt]

I have a 1917 BSA MK III with serial number D83xxx. What does the "D" mean?

BSA used up to a 5 digit serial number starting at 1 though to 99999 then A1 though to A99999 then B1 etc when they got to Z99999 they started back at 1 & went though the alphabet again.

[musketjon]

So in theory, there could be duplicate serial numbers. How about in reality? Has any one run across duplicate numbers? Just curious.
Thanks
Jon

[Peter Laidler]

Nope....., or yes......, there WILL be duplicate serial NUMBERS but the actual REGISTERED number consists of the whole, including the prefix letter.

So on a BSA rifle you'll have M-30123 and you'll also have an N-30123. Same number - in fact 26 rifles will have that particular number but only one will have the registered number M-30123. Which is quite fortuitous because if not, there would be a lot of Quartermasters committing suicide!

[Beerhunter]

So in theory, there could be duplicate serial numbers. How about in reality? Has any one run across duplicate numbers? Just curious.

It's much worse for German military arms, for example Lugers. Their serial numbers comprise of four numeric digits plus a letter suffix AND the date. I have seen umpteen Lugers described by only those four digits and no suffix - I have NEVER seen the date used.

[RobD]

If I got this right, 26 letters x ~100,000 numbers = ~2.6 million rifles with unique serial numbers. Did BSA exceed this production?

[Peter Laidler]

Roooooooob........ Come on now, I've just had my nuts chewed off for one apparently facetious reply! So now I'm on my best behaviour or I'll have my keyboard taken away........

[5thBatt]

I believe (so could be wrong) BSA MkIII production started with the prefix T, a carry on from where the Mk1 production left off, though to Z then went though the alphabet A to Z then started at the beginning again, finishing on i believe N in WW2.

[RobD]

Peter - 50 Shades of Chewed Nuts? Could be a hit with the ladies...

[5thBatt]

So in theory, there could be duplicate serial numbers. How about in reality? Has any one run across duplicate numbers? Just curious.
Thanks
Jon

I have a pair of No8s that have the same serial number but they are both from the BSA contract of 2000 for NZ so only shows that mistakes were made.