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Here are some pics of a bolt from a bunch of parts I have bought, the bolt have 3 "serial numbers", probably common I don't know, the bolt has been force matched but does anyone know the meaning of the two digit number?
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...r3ezkvtj-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ct54c6le-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...kkyintvl-1.jpg
The first pic is a "batch number", exclusive to Australian production. You would find its matching number atop the right rear of the bolt channel directly underneath where the bottom of the bolt handle rests. The second number could possibly be a New Zealand added if the rifle had been in NZ service...may never know about that one. The last pic is the rifles actual serial number that this bolt was originally fitted to....that's a low number!!
Definitely a Lithgow bolt & that is a batch/PAA number on the underside & NZ certainly renumbered bolts on the top & later on the No4s the Inventory number was stamped there.
Now the odd thing is the 84, thats a very early 1913 number but Lithgow did not start with the batch number until 1917/18 my 1915/1916/ &1917 Lithgows all have original bolts but no batch numbers while my 1918 does.
But in reality, these numbers have no significance outside of an Armourers shop. If you were in one now, you'd simply but carefully file away the 8565 and 84 number, make good and put the bolt back on the shelf for another needy rifle on another day. Every Armourer has done it a zillion times.
I don't quite understand what you're getting at by your 'forced match' comments. We don't 'force match' anything so far as I know or recall........
Newbie comments.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
The PAA number is one digit too long, the 85 is on a refinished flat.
You showed three sides of the bolt handle, the front face marks would give an indication of timeframe also.
The number on the bottom of the bolt handle looks for all the world like a serial number...of the rifle.
Muffer is right. The 84 itself is a replacement number. The flat has been carefully (admittedly) linished & blued. The 84 has been stamped in to it. The font of the 8 & the 4 is also too modern looking to be original WW1 era. Not a big issue though, & no doubt all just reflects its long & chequered history!