Does this mean!

[Trung Si]

That my Rifle was made in 1917 or is that a Model No.?

Information

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[5thBatt]

Short answer is yes & then no
Slightly longer answer, 1917 is the year the receiver was made, the rifle could have been assembled later but probably no later than 1918, the serial number may answer that.
The SHT.LE III inside the shield is the model.

[Trung Si]

Short answer is yes & then no
Slightly longer answer, 1917 is the year the receiver was made, the rifle could have been assembled later but probably no later than 1918, the serial number may answer that.
The SHT.LE III inside the shield is the model.

I agree, it must have been assembled before 1918, there is no Prefix or Suffix on the Serial No., also the Butt Stock Disk is blank, what does that mean?

[Maxwell Smart]

also the Butt Stock Disk is blank, what does that mean?

Not a lot.

It could be a new disc, or a used one reversed, or the unit using it may not have marked it at all.

[Trung Si]

Not a lot.

It could be a new disc, or a used one reversed, or the unit using it may not have marked it at all.

Roger that, it is blank on both sides.
I have another question though, why are there no disks or provisions for it on my #4 and 5?

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

The use of discs stopped before WWII.

[5thBatt]

The use of discs stopped before WWII.

NZ used butt discs well past WW2 with No4s, No8s & No9s having them fitted, they are in a slightly different position than the No1 with the No8s having them in at least 3 different positions (but only one per butt) & at least 2 different sizes.

[Peter Laidler]

That's interesting 5th Batt. I recall seeing marking discs on NZ No8's and 9's and our L2 rifles and some Brens (and L4's) but never saw them on L1A1's or No4's. I always wondered why

[5thBatt]

Peter, the discs on the NZ No4s is not as common as the others but at a wild guess...maybe 1 in 15, they seem to come up in groups might not see one for ages & then 4 or 5 in a row in fact the first No4 i owned had one & i brought a Long Branch (not for me though) at the weekend with provision for one but oddly enough not NZ marked but with a typical NZ style rack number