SA No. 15 Sniper chest marking questions

[Lance]

Greetings

I was wondering if anyone knew the exact meanings of the "BA" code numbers stenciled on the chest and written on the paper tags?

On the chest there is sometimes either BA5855 or BA8734(W). I assume it is a code for lockable stores but is there a difference between the two.

On the paper tags there is either:

BA8665 which I assume is for a normal sniper T set up
BA8738 which I assume is for a sniper, less telescope
BA10317 which I assume is for a waterproofed scope sniper

Just wanting to confirm/correct/educate myself.

Many thanks!

[Alan de Enfield]

It is called a Vocab (Vocabulary) Number and every individual part has both a Vocab No and a Drawing No.

Basically its the system that the NATO "NSN" system is based on.

For example any common parts across (say) the No1 Mk3 and the No4 Mk1 would have the same 'Vocab No"

[Lance]

Thanks, do you have actual description for those Vocab numbers?

[Alan de Enfield]

I don't find BA8665 anywhere in the paperwork I have, however BC8665 exists and is :

The "complete No4T Rifle and chest"

(The chest only is BC6791)


Sorry - not much help.

[Peter Laidler]

The part numbers changed in the early 50's or so from the old ORDNANCE B1-BA1234 or so type part numbers to the Ministry of Supply code part nunbers such as we saw into the NSN tpes. These were B1/CR 1234. At that point the old No1, No5 and Sten parts that were identical across the board came under one part number. At the same tome, some No1 rifle enfield thread parts such as bands could be modified to the standard BA threads.

I have written extensively about the VAOS (the vocabulary of Army Ordnance Stores) part number system on this forum. It was always wise to know the VAOS ordnance system............. A simple slip of the pen on the old 1098 indent form could work wonders to a hapless, fed-up Ordnance blanket stacker at some backwater Ordnance Depot

[Alan de Enfield]

Still looking - The No4T Mk1/2 variants had different "BA" numbers to the No4T Mk1, and each had different BA numbers depending on the scope MK and whether it was waterpoofed or not.

Source : 1959 edition "VAOS - Small Arms & Their Components"

Note : The different sized butts had changed to the new CR part numbers but the 'complete rifle assembly' had retained the "BA" numbers.