No 4 Mk 1 - A question on numbering (with due trepidation...)

[Roger Payne]

BSA Shirley is often quoted as using a five digit number starting with a '3' & preceded by a letter (apart from the first run which had no letter prefix). This is true, but only applies to 1944 production & after. During 1943 serials are indeed typically a two letter prefix (the first being 'A' & the second working through the alphabet sequentially; AA, AB, AC........AP, AQ, AR etc) followed by a four digit number. Thus your rifle is spot on for BSA 1943 production.

.......& don't worry about being 'technologically challenged'; if we were learning IT at school I'd be on the special needs table.