Morgan,

> >Unless you (or Microchip) made a mistake, they don't match your F877
> >code, unless you change the BSL to SBL.
>
> Strange, the DIL40 really reads "BSL"
> As revision S is not here yet..., I believe Microchip did wrong marking, and i
t should be SBL.

I'll back you up. I have a couple of 16F877 devices in Plastic 40 Pin
DIP. I wondered the same thing  . . .

One has 9936SBW and the other 9924BSL in a larger bolder print.
(I got this one (BSL) from a batch from Newfound Electronics)

Regards,

Craig Peacock