Need help evaluating a 1941 Lithgow

Hello,

I have the opportunity to buy a 1941 Lithgow No. 1 Mk III, serial number C xxxx. I have a few questions. First, the buttstock is stamped with what I believe are the appropriate markings such as HV, III, 1942, and another marking, 8/1945 (or maybe 8/45 I don't recall exactly) is that an FTR mark? The numbers match on the receiver, the bolt, nosecap, and forestock (numbered near the bayonet lug) and I did not find a number on the rear sight. Here is what I am unsure of: If the 8/45 is an FTR, how comprehensive was the process, because the assembly numbers on the bolt handle and receiver match in addition to serial numbers. So I am wondering if the FTR process included a renumbering of assembly numbers to match as well as serial numbers. Thanks in advance.

Another note about the rifle, it is not parkerized, if that is any indication of FTR or not.

Also, any rough value estimates will really help me. I can get it for $300 with a correct bayonet (almost no blade finish remaining) and the overall rifle condition is nearly identical to my other Enfield pictured. Like an idiot I didn't take photos of the one in question, but for general condition reference this will do. Thanks!

Is it a Jon Jovino import? The one in the photo has markings at the base of the charger bridge where the JJ import marks usially reside.

No, the photos are of a different enfield, I only put them on there to compare the overall condition to help you all with a value estimate.

8/45 on the butt is a returned to store date.

So it was not refinished, FTR or otherwise? I thought that a sign of refinishing was the forestock serial numbering (rather than buttstock serial number).

There's nothing to indicate a refurb from your description. It's not an FTR unless it is stamped FTR on the action and this only occurred from 1950. Prior to that immediatdly after ghe war until the end of 1947, when a rifle was refurbished, it was stamped on the butt, R over MA and the date. When the butt is date stamped as in the case of your rifle, it's generally an indication that some sort of repair or inspection has been carried out but not a complete refurb and the rifle was returned to stores or unit. Your rifle certainly would have been parkerised from new manufacture and indeed it would have been if it where FTR'd as well.
All lithgows were serial numbered on the underside of the forend as is yours and this is not an indication of a refurb of FTR. In fact rifles refurbed during 1946/47 were not serial numbered on the barrel, forend and nosecap to my knowledge. Rifles FTR'd after 1950 had these parts serial numbered up until 1953 when they stopped numbering the forends and This is consistent with the one off batch of new production rifles.
If a rifle had the bolt replaced it would not have had the batch assembly numbers restamped to match so your bolt is most likely the original from new manufacture.
To answer your last question how comprehensive was an FTR, it was very comprehensive but remember that the FTR program only took place from 1950 to 1959. This is not to say they weren't refurbishing rifles at the factory prior to this time, they were, but rifles were only stamped FTR during this period. Rifles were stripped to the action, re parkerised and rebuilt into new rifles using new and serviceable used parts.
You would need to give us more detail but again, no detail in the description indicates a refurb. It sounds like it was inspected and repaired to some degree and returned to stores.

Homer, that is great information, thank you very much. Couldn't have asked for much more than that.

For what you describe, $300 is an excellent price and in this case Jovino markings would be of no consequence whatsoever.

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Originally Posted by jrhead75

For what you describe, $300 is an excellent price and in this case Jovino markings would be of no consequence whatsoever.

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Agreed on the excellent by at $300.. Is there any price differential between the Jovino assembled ones vs the ones that are original and not reserialed but still JJ marked?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jrhead75

For what you describe, $300 is an excellent price and in this case Jovino markings would be of no consequence whatsoever.

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Well, a purchase opportunity for great WWII P38 came up, and I already have 2 No. 1's, so at the moment the P38 gets precedence, but if I don't get it then I'll probably pick up this rifle.