madcratebuilder: "..looking at the dates (on threads)!"
But not only are these rifles and threads timeless, you guys have the nicest I've ever seen. Do they get used fairly often, and carried only in bubble wrap?
Having begun attending shows (15-17) only since late '08, only saw two original #5s.
A private seller with a table at the Franklin TN show weeks ago has one in mint condition.
Were the rifles sent to Malaysia both Fazakerly and BSA? One of my pair has the shiny, dark chocolate finish (V5**) but have no idea from which factory.
To the left of this same serial# on the action are three or four other faded numbers in a series.