BSA with odd markings?

[Garvin]

Not sure what to make of this serial no. The 'A' seems to be in a different font and shouldn't be there. Any ideas please?

[averageplinker]

Maybe it was an owners initials so they added the "A"?

[mrto]

Maybe, they missed out the & in the middle!

[Jerry Cornelius]

If only there was some sort of book we could consult

[Lakey]

Hi Danny,

What length is the gun ?

I would suggest it was BSA using up a pre-stamped trigger block on a different model of gun. I have seen a few A-pattern guns with none matching font, also with the A out of line with the rest of the number. So, in theory both letter stamps could be correct. Both look like they were period.

Interesting variation.

ATB

Andy

[Garvin]

Thanks for the responses. The owner says:

"Distance from muzzle to heel and toe of the stock is the same 43 and a half inches in each case."

[edbear2]

Duh........It's a Cadet Major obviously

ATB, Ed

[Benelli B76]

I seem to remember a query about this cropping up some years ago, either on here or another forum. Cannot remember the outcome. Were shipments to other countries marked differently ?

Baz

[Garvin]

Thanks Ed.

[Garvin]

I seem to remember a query about this cropping up some years ago, either on here or another forum. Cannot remember the outcome. Were shipments to other countries marked differently ?

Baz

Don't think they were Baz.

[edbear2]

Thanks Ed.

Don't thank me Danny, It's on Knibbsy's website!

ATB, Ed

[Lakey]

Thanks for the responses. The owner says:

"Distance from muzzle to heel and toe of the stock is the same 43 and a half inches in each case."

So its a Club Standard No4. In which case the C prefix is correct, and the A prefix is wrong ( but from a 39" gun that was manufactured during the same time period) which supports the idea that they re-used a trigger block that was already stamped with the A pattern prefix.

Lakey

[edbear2]

So its a Club Standard No4. In which case the C prefix is correct, and the A prefix is wrong ( but from a 39" gun that was manufactured during the same time period) which supports the idea that they re-used a trigger block that was already stamped with the A pattern prefix.

Lakey

I would say so probably too, You would have thought they may have struck over the "A", but the numbers are for their records and they were rattling out thousands of the things. Maybe just as simple as someone on assembly pulling a block out of the wrong bin and inspection then spotting it and passing it to rework / rectification who did the "C" prefix as quicker than re-building a gun.


You can read too much into these things sometimes if you have never worked in a company that mass produces a product, or has an assembly line / section I think.

"Oh look Harry, old Trevor has been thinking about the football tommorow and has used a wrong block, That's going to bugga up the tally".

"Give it over here"..(Sound of hammer and punch)..

"There you go, now let's have a cup of tea"

The only possible later issue would be an owner writing a letter to BSA for a spares request which would have heads scratching



ATB, ED

[Garvin]

You're both probably right. Strange BSAs appear with so few errors really, considering the sheer number produced. Says a lot for BSA's QC over the years.

[edbear2]

You're both probably right. Strange BSAs appear with so few errors really, considering the sheer number produced. Says a lot for BSA's QC over the years.

Have you read "The Other War" BSA book mate, some great anecdotes in there about how the limits were kept and checked.

ATB, Ed