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I have a nose cap that looks a Lithgow no1 mk3, but there is no Aussie markings. It does have the holes in the ears just like an Aussie but the markings are, broad arrow over FD over S and is drilled for a stacking swivel. I would include a picture of the markings but they are so small I am unable to get a pic that shows the marks. Hope someone will be able to give me some info about it.
There was a fair bit of "Mix-n'-Match in service.
Is it numbered on the bayonet boss or is it "scrubbed" or "blank" original? If it is not numbered to the body, it will have been fitted after it left the service system. Any Jovino or other "bulk" importers codes/ markings anywhere?
Major parts made at Lithgow are usually adorned with an assortment of stamps that will indicate this origin.
The two holes in the "ears"; (correctly called "wings")? Do they look like "factory-machined" and correctly "blacked", or a little more "agricultural". At the Australian factories, the sight protector wings were machined out from August 1944. This was primarily done so that the front sight blade could be adjusted without removing the nosecap. They were also modified at unit and higher-level workshops as per official instructions, as late as the early 1960s. By that stage, apart from the HT sniper units, only Cadet services were using No. 1 rifles.
Not quite right Bruce. A period immediately post war, rifles factory refurbed have nose caps left unnumbered, as well as forends, barrels and sights. Therefore the only numbered parts were action and bolt. These are marked on the butt, R over MA over the month and year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce_in_Oz
The nose cap is not on a rifle. It is just one of a few loose parts that I came across. The serial number has been scrubbed and the wings are are factory milled. I have never seen one marked like this. It looks just like an early Lithgow nose cap but there are no Australian stars anywhere but it does have a broad arrow. The markings are so small you can only read them with strong magnification. I also have one that the bayonet boss is blank, Aussie stars on the front of the wings but no manufacture stamps such as MA or BA etc.