Rob,
You're not a nuisance at all. The rifle sounds like a straight enough BSA Shirley 1944.....I'm not sure about the lines through the S51 either.....are you sure it's intentional, or could they represent a minor knock to the woodwork in the past?
It's nice that your scope is matching, although I'm surprised the rifle number on your scope bracket is different, as ordnance replacements usually had the original rifle number barred out & the new rifle's number stamped on instead. Even so, it sounds like you have a nice piece of kit.........Can't wait for the photo's!

ATB
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