1917 no.1 mk.3 markings

Hi all
I'm new to military surplus rifles and having left a deposit with a gun dealer yesterday, I was hoping someone here could answer a few questions about the rifle I've just purchased. It's a 1917 SSA smle with matching numbers on bolt, rear sight,fore stock,nose cap etc. and was fitted with a new barrel in 1939.
The marking that has me puzzled appears on the wrist band and on the top of the barrel ,under the rear hand guard (sorry I don't have any pics yet), its a fireball or a sun shaped stamp with the letters RSF underneath . After a bit of searching I found that the Royal Scottish Fusiliers had a similar emblem, would it be unusual to have the unit marked on this part of the rifle?, there is a cut out for a stock disc ,but its missing. Maybe there's an obvious answer that I've overlooked , any suggestions would be appreciated

Photos or a photo link would help immensely!

But Thai seems to come to mind as a first thought. Should be some references in previous threads. Will look later as time permits.

See this thread and compare the markings on the receiver ring of the No.4 to the markings on your No.1 Mk.3:

Siamese Longbranch No4

Thanks jmoore,but the markings on that Siamese long branch are very different to my rifle, I'll try and get a photo , the dealers shop is a 4 hour drive from me and it usually takes about 3 months for a firearms licence to be granted in Ireland,so it might take a while

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jdun

it usually takes about 3 months for a firearms licence to be granted in Ireland,so it might take a while

---

Three Months! We dream of only three months! (Apologies to MPFS.) Here in darkest Hampshire (England) my Firearm Certificate renewal took FIVE MONTHS!. ("And if you told the lads of today - they'd not believe yer.")

5 MONTHS......... that is complaint aginst the Police material for neglect of duty

photo

sorry about the pic quality, I think this was taken with a mobile phone

Hard to see, but the markings look like some sort of continental post-service proof marking. Certainly not unit markings...at least not British ones.

that would make sense, the dealer told me it was one of a batch of rifles that spent many years in storage in italy,before being sold to a german wholesaler who is selling them on in small quantities to various dealers around europe. I'll try and get some better photos

Its a "star in a circle" over "PSF", which is a post-1951 Italian proof mark issued by either Gardone or Brescia proof house.

I would concur with the Italian origins of the marking. Have seen similar recently.

That would fit with what I've been told by the dealer, thanks for all the replies

I meant to ask in my earlier post, what does the V mark on the knox form stand for ? I've googled it a few times and can't seem to find an answer
Thanks