I have a 1917 BSA MK III with serial number D83xxx. What does the "D" mean?
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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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Calflash
So in theory, there could be duplicate serial numbers. How about in reality? Has any one run across duplicate numbers? Just curious.
Thanks
Jon
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!
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by musketjon
If I got this right, 26 letters x ~100,000 numbers = ~2.6 million rifles with unique serial numbers. Did BSA exceed this production?
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........
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.
Peter - 50 Shades of Chewed Nuts? Could be a hit with the ladies...
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by musketjon
Is there a letter or X prefix or suffix?Quote:
Originally Posted by 5thBatt
The NZ contract No8s had a DA prefix, mine are both DA156Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
I have posted them here before so you should be able to find them though my profile.
Two with DA 156..... That's amazing. How on earth did you fall into them? We did have Mk5 Sten guns that all had the serial number as M78 as I recall but that was because the blanket stackers at Ordnance issued them by the manufacturers code on the magazine housing.
I got them both in the NZDF Cadet rifle auction back in March 2009Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...51No8two-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...52No8two-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...urerTags-1.jpg
One dated 1951, the other 1952
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...51No8one-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...52No8one-1.jpg
So you got 156, 156 and 1567! Amazing. David Howroyd told me that they found a mistake/duplication in an export L2A3 gun order. That caused a bit of confusion but it was 'corrected by the clever alteration of one of the figures (say, a 1 into a 4 or so.....) when a similar number was due to be engraved. Difficult because the numbers were engraved VERY deep to avoid 'tampering'
Just thank yourself you don't live on my side of the great southern land. Being in possession of 2 x firearms with same markings! good god no! the firearms lic dept. here would probably storm your house at gun point, confiscate the lot and throw you in a dark dungeon :lol:
The font of the marking is exactly the same too, same spacing and dropped "A". Including the same exaggerated space between the "1" and the "5". Same pantograph did both I'd think. Probably same man too...
Hey......., can you imagine the scenario...... The panto operator and his pal discussing the little blonde in the cash office and operator slips the 6 back into the table runners instead of 8 after he engraved rifle 157. Glad the little blonde in the cash office couldn't hear what he was saying after that...............
Hands up anyone who HASN'T stamped a number or letter upside down........
Possibly after a 2-3 pint lunch?