1941 Lithgow No. 1 Mk. III* and bayonet

Hello,

I recently purchased this 1941 No. 1 Mk. III*, thanks to help evaluating it by the members here. All serial numbers match, and the bolt and receiver assembly numbers do as well. The forend is matching and marked SLAZ 41, although both are very faint. Mag is unnumbered, but MA marked and parkerized. Appears to have been rebarreled in 1945 but with a 1943 barrel, which has a beautiful bore, one of my best for sure. My only questions about it are regarding the lack of military district markings, and the V L on the left hand side of the wrist. The bayonet has a 1945 dated frog also. I welcome any opinions.

My 2 cents. That looks like one lovely unmolested old girl. The furniture looks worn in not worn out with nice crisp markings.

Thanks! I have been looking around at other examples, and I have not seen any similar rifles that don't have a military district marking. Can anyone shed any light on this?

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Originally Posted by clarkmilitaria

I have been looking around at other examples, and I have not seen any similar rifles that don't have a military district marking.

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Here's another:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...stuff016-1.jpg

From this old thread of one of my favorite rifles:

No. 1 Mk. III* Lithgow Circa June 1941 (Photo Thread)

Jmoore, very nice rifle! Is there any significance or meaning to this lack of MD marking? Possibly a measure to speed wartime production?

P.S. jmoore, do you know what the "5" means on the top of your receiver ring? Our rifles' receiver rings are basically identical except for that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clarkmilitaria

Is there any significance or meaning to this lack of MD marking?

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Probably best to ask the Australian contingent!

No idea about the "5", either.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clarkmilitaria

Jmoore, very nice rifle! Is there any significance or meaning to this lack of MD marking? Possibly a measure to speed wartime production?

P.S. jmoore, do you know what the "5" means on the top of your receiver ring? Our rifles' receiver rings are basically identical except for that.

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The 5 on jmoores rifle is for 5th military district in WA. The MD marks were applied to a rifle after it was assigned to the states and the practice seems to have stopped before the war or during the very early 40's except for SA. I have only noted 4MD on later dated rifles. I wouldn't be concerned about the lack of these stamps on your gun, it would be the norm in my view.

Homer, thank you very much! I'm very grateful for all the help you gave me with this rifle.

Clarkmilitaria;

Did you sneak in to my place and use my camera set up??

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_2865-1.jpg

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Originally Posted by clarkmilitaria

The bayonet has a 1945 dated frog also.

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The frog looks like '44 Pattern Web Equipment to me.