BSA underlever dating

[ogilkes]

Hello there. Need a bit of help as I am away form home. Friend of mine has a BSA underlever, early production with a 'bayonet' underlever which I want to get a date for. Its serial number is: SN55747

Does anyone have knibbs or similar to hand?

Thank you

[Mark Palmer]

Heres the list I've used in the past

https://www.emmettandstone.co.uk/pag...wlOjHKODtfA3sz

[Mark Palmer]

There should be a prefix letter on the serial number, if you want actual dated, then Knibbs does a service where they will search the old archive books for you , they charge for this service

[Abasmajor]

As far as I’m aware, the only Pre-WW1 BSA underlever air rifles with a prefix to the the Ser No were final production examples which carried an “S” before the number denoting that they had the rather unsuccessful double sear safety modification incorporated.
John Knibbs published a list of Ser Nos at the back of his specialist book which lists Ser No 55747 as Jan 1911 to March 1912. He also states that the side-button cocking lever was introduced around Ser No 45000, and you say that yours has the bayonet end cocking lever.
Perhaps another look to confirm the Ser No or better still a picture or two would help clarify things a bit.

Brian