Hello. New member here and this is my first post on this forum.

I recently purchased a No. 2 Mk IV* .22 trainer and would like a little help in deciphering its history.

The wrist of the receiver shows that it started life as a No. 1 Mk III* manufactured by B.S.A. in 1917. The left side of the buttstock describes the rifle as a Lithgow No. 1 Mk III dated 1941. The buttstock shows the rifle was converted at Lithgow to a No. 2 Mk IV* in 3/49. The conversion barrel has Lithgow proof marks and is dated 2/49.

My questions are these. How did this rifle end up in Australiaicon after the end of WWI? Was it common for Britishicon weapons to be transferred to other Commonwealth nations after the war? Does the 1941-dated Lithgow markings indicate the rifle was arsenal refurbished at that time?

Here are all the other markings I've been able to find on the rifle plus a couple of photos.

Thank you for any information you may be able to provide.

Nose Cap: G over 52395, Crown over L2 over stylized B
Fore-end: G over 74756 over 52395, V, G
Rear Sight Assembly: WA '43
Barrel: 7 point star with A inside over I, 7 point star with A inside over II, 7 point star with A inside over III, Crown over 5 over L, MA over VI, MA over VII, 2 49, L over Broad Arrow over 1, Crown over Crossed Flags over P
Receiver: D with Broad Arrow inside, Crown over Crossed Flags over P, Crown over 16 over 13, 3 over 87934, G over 52395, Broad Arrow, AUSTRALIA, Crown over M5 over stylized B, stylized B, Crown over G.R. over B.S.A. Co over 1917 over SHT LE over III* (on wrist)
Breech Bolt: G 52395, Crossed Flags (on bolt handle)
Breech Bolt Head: 22 No 2, MA 49
Cocking Piece: 7 point star with A inside, OA '42
Trigger Guard: BA
Magazine: .22, 7 point star with A inside over 3, 3
Magazine Catch: Broad Arrow
Trigger: 7 point star with A inside, BA
Safety Lever: III, FA
Buttstock: M.A. over LITHGOW over S.M.L.E. over III over 1941, HV, MA over No 2 over Mk IV * over 3 / 49 R, 9 / 44 (on left side), '41, 3 over Crown over 11 over L (on underside)
Butt Sling Swivel: MA
Buttplate: MA





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