Originally Posted by T-Mar

Thank-you fellow SBI enthusiasts. The initial analysis, based on a very restricted sample size, suggests that the format may be:

?fyxxxxx, where

f is an alpha character designating the fortnight (i.e. A = weeks 1-2, B = weeks 3-4,... Z = weeks 51-52)

y is a numeral indicating the year (i.e. 1= 1991, 2 = 1993 etc.)

xxxxx is the sequential frame number built within the fortnight.

? is unknown at his time. Given the G & P characters, they could represent different manufacturers or an unknown stratifier for a common manufacturer.



ryansu's frame would be be from weeks 49-50 of 1992, making it late enough to be a 1993, which is consistent with the 2nd generation Deore LX.

droppedandlost's 1st frame would be from week's 51-52 of 1991, making it a 1992 model, as he claims based on catalogue matching.

droppedandlost's 2nd frame would be from week's 51-52 of 1992, making it a 1993 model, as he claims based on catalogue matching.

dueroute's frame would be from weeks 35-36 of 1993, which is in the grey area where it could be either a 1993 or 1994 model, though it colour matches 1993.

The 1993 colour differences from the catlogue may be due to the fact that it's German market catalogue.

I'm anxiously awaiting aceve's serial number and the OP's component date code info.