1943 BSA No. 4 Mk 1 (T) Less Telescope- low serial number.

[corco]

FYI - the info for the serial numbers did not cite their source so I apologize if it is from anyone's books they have written. The info is appropriate for this subject of the rifles incorrect serial number.

The correct serial number is stamped on the barrel under the top hand guard for "T", correct?

[CINDERS]

Personally I prefer the look of a rifle with a nice patina on the metalwork and genuine wear, tear and bruising on the woodwork. I guess its like a part of the rifles life story.

I agree like that show on Pimp my ride for cars to do it to a sniper T or any rifle that carries genuine usage and bumps and bruises from war time is what makes them valuable by doing it up erases that most important part "PATINA"
I reckon if I rocked up to a mil shoot at the club with my T all nice anda lookin'all a pretty & shiny having be reconditioned to look brand new, once they found that out it had been tricked up they would most probably all walk away shaking their heads.

But if it was original cond and genuine aged patina then that's another st.............

[Roger Payne]

The serials on BSA Shirleys were as you have lifted from wherever (?the late Skip Stratton?) initially - a single letter followed by a four digit number. This was the case in 1941/42. By 1943 they had graduated onto the AA 1234, AB3456, AC5678 (etc) system. By 1944 the single letter followed by a 5 digit number commencing with a '3' had arrived. This continued until the end of the War, & even a little while after (Y prefix 1947 dated rifles have been noted).

The rifle in the thread should originally have had a serial number A? 7282.

I suspect you will not find a written source for this information exactly as stated.

ATB.