LSA 1917 U Broad Arrow cross out and FTR'ed 1944

The significance of the U and broad arrow being hatched out the explanation was gained from contacting Ian Skennerton and Brian Labudda today here is their take on this matter

From Ian
That is a British Ordnance Depot or Base Workshop mark we've noted on a few rifles of WW2 or a little afterwards. The fact that the U^ has been cancelled out means that it was pulled out of South African service. Brian Labudda and I have seen it on a few No.4 shortened and lightened rifles and SMLE's. usually on the barrel at the knox form. On one of Bob Faris' rifles, it was also on the timber under the small of the butt at the socket and on the fore-end, in each place where they had made lightening cuts. We have noted it on a few rifles here in the US and at home in Oz.

From Ian & Brian
Brian has also seen the stamp on some rifles imported by Fullers Firearm (in Oz) from Greece years ago. Marked on barrels at the knox form and on buttstocks, underside at the socket. These were SMLEs with English beech furniture so they were upgraded before export. There were some with cancelled South African markings in that lot too.
Ian & Brian

Hope this helps guys with the question:thup:

Cinders -

Thank you for the detailed explanation on this topic. I was the OP with the question. This is nice information to know.

Mike

I agree the crossed-out U-with-a-broad arrow is a form of an official sold-out-of-service stamp from South Africa.

In my limited experience the "correct" stamp (i.e. the U-with-a-diamond-in-it) is not too frequently encountered and I suspect it was usually not at hand when it was needed...

For interest, here is a Mk IV MH with two S Africa acceptance stamps, one S African sold-out-of-service stamp, and one Southern Rhodesia Government acceptance stamp.

I live in South Africa and collect in South Africa. In my collection I have 35 rifles with markings of one form or another indicating government ownership. These rifles all originated in South Africa. Not one of them has had its government markings cancelled out. Furthermore I cannot recollect ever having seen cancelled government markings.

I very strongly suspect that any ex-South African rifle with such markings either had them deleted upon leaving the country or afterwards. I do not believe that such deletions were ever applied to surplus rifles sold within South Africa.

I have to admit that the U Diamond only appears on 8 of my rifles and suspect that most locally sold out of service rifles were merely disposed of without being specifically marked as such.