Early 1944 BSA/Sniper

[Lance]

Greetings All

For those who are into the fine details. I just came across a January 1944 produced BSA that was converted into a sniper that is for sale on line, mismatched unfortunately, anyone have scope and mount #9444? The '43-'44 year change over at BSA happened during the AV s/n range, but it appears that they ran all the way through the AT series before converting to the A3xxxx s/n style.

Information

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[Roger Payne]

Thanks Lance. I've had both 43 & 44 dated AV prefix rifles. I've also had at least one rifle in the 'five digits starting with a 3' system that had no letter prefix. I wonder if these preceded even the A prefix production run??

ATB

[jmoore]

It's an odd S/N font for a BSA, yes? Could it be a replacement number?

The action body seems to be Suncorited or painted under the bracket, so that raises suspicions of serious overhaul. any more info?

[tbonesmith]

I've got a '43 AFxxxx and the SN font is similarly scratched into the bluing with an awl. This one looks like it has been overpainted or refinished somehow, as the original factory finish at that stage, by the look of the SN ie. scratched in with an awl, they were still bluing them at that stage.
I've got a later '44 BSA where the numbers are the later series and they're punched in. P3309 I think.

[jmoore]

Lightly vibropenciled or the usual impression stamped markings I'm OK with. This one is neither. My "A3xxxx" is not like this above, the main thing being the large letters and then small numbers. Odd, but could be just a remarking of the old number, as that's not unusual either.

Picky, picky, picky, but it's hopefuly educational.

Like the Indian renumbers that were recently re-discussed, however briefly.

[tbonesmith]

I'll photograph my '43 later and put it up, it's EXACTLY the same, less the refinish.

[Lance]

Scratched s/n on the 43-44 BSA's are factory, most were overstamped later in life from what I have seen, here are a few more examples.

Roger, I too believe there might of been a run of BSA's without a letter and just starting with a 3. The only photo I have in my archive of this is not great and a possible letter could just be faint. I will keep on looking though!!

[Valleysniper]

"anyone have scope and mount #9444?"

Attachment 27398

Close on scope number, but not close enough.

[Roger Payne]

Lance,
Thanks. I still have the list of all of the serials from the batch we bought in 1997. There may be something there......I'll have a look. If I don't still have the rifle(s) I'll still have the number(s).

ATB

[Roger Payne]

Lance (& anyone else interested),
In fact there were two no-letter-prefix 1944 BSA 4T's in the batch. Both of which have long since gone. The serials were 372XX, & 382XX. I think on Simon's ID thread for L42's/Enforcers etc there is reference in a recent post to a no-prefix L42, so there are a few of them about, & probably rather more ordinary No4's in the same range.

ATB