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Hey folks,
I recently picked up a 1918 SSA No.1 Mk.III*, and I’m having some tribune figuring out what the markings on the stock disk mean. The markings read “ 2 AA 20”.
From what I can guess, perhaps this rifle spent some time in either the Allhalabad Arsenal, or perhaps the Ardrossan Academy? I realize that this disk was likely added after the rifle was produced.
Any information would be greatly appreciated please.
According to http://martinihenry.com/units.htm
A.A. = Armament Artificers, though 1920 seems a bit late to use an antique name for REME - or have I got this all wrong?
Rob
Just a WAG :
"2nd Co Anti Aircraft Battery" ?
There is obviously no need for it to be original, you can buy the discs from ebay and engrave them whatever you want.
In fact, I don't think it's original.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan de Enfield
Follow my motto and LOOK at what you see.
What you see is a stock disk. But LOOK at its surroundings. There are no less than 3 positions where wood has split out of the stock. This is a sure sign that the disk was, once upon a time, removed by a crude application of force - mabe levered out with a screwdriver.
So whether the disk was made last week or a hundred years ago is irrelevant. It is not original.
And please note, this conclusion does not require any esoteric knowledge of unit markings. It is a simple case of wear and tear not matching up.
I apologize if this becomes a little bit of a lecture, but time and again posters get entangled with questions of markings, without looking to see if the components match in wear and tear.
Look at what you see!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Chadwick
Neither do I, but I was trying to let the guy down gently - how many of us have bought something and then found out its a 'fake' or 'not quite' what we thought it was.
I will agree with you that it certainly isn’t an original part of the gun; the stock tells that well. I was just curious to see if the markings stood out to anyone as a particular group from history. I appreciate the honesty.Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Chadwick
I forget where I was, but years ago I was at a dumpster behind a fabrication shop. In one bin was scrap steel, another bin had scrap brass. I noticed that some of the brass punchings were roughly the size of a Lee Enfield stock disk. I grabbed a few and put them in my pocket. Put them up, forgot about them.
Years later I found them in a tin can at the back of the a shelf where I had stashed them.
Well it turned out that the punching is exactly the right size to fit the butt stock inlet. Of course I now wish that I had grabbed a bunch of them. I think that I have but the one left.
Not original, I know, but when drilled, countersunk and installed, it is impossible to tell from a factory unit.
Attachment 102126
Yes, an ice cream tub full would have sold well over time. You still wouldn't have any because we'd have bought them all over the years.Quote:
Originally Posted by englishman_ca
EnglishmanCA, I was interested in your "Rule 303" disc, and I found an interesting article on Wikipedia which gives the origin of the phrase in a different light... as a South African, I found it an eye-opener...
Court-martial of Breaker Morant - Wikipedia
Rob, the Wikipedia article is quite good. If you’ve got an appropriate TV package try & find & watch the film ‘Breaker Morant’. IMHO it’s an excellent film. Made about 1979/80 ish IIRC & features the late Edward Woodward (who plays a blinder) as Morant, very ably backed up by Bryan Brown.
I must say, as a huge credit to the Aussies, when they make a film about warfare they do a far better job of it than many Hollywood blockbusters, which often resort to shallow cliche ridden plots & dialogue. Look also at Beneath Hill 60, the dramatised true story of Oliver Woodward, the most decorated Australian tunnelling Company officer of the Great War. Well worth a watch if you have an hour & a half to spare.
Just a few thoughts......
Sorry, I wandered off the subject a bit.
Shoot straight, you bas**rds! I need to watch it again, last time I was in my twenties......... young , free and single and pockets full of cash..
It was on 'freeview' a couple of nights ago - no doubt will be coming around again in the next few days.Quote:
Originally Posted by bigduke6
‘Shoot straight you bxxxards! Don’t make a mess of it!’
IIRC.