1919 BSA Lee Enfield Markings?

[dessy]

G'day,

I am new to the forum and I have recently got the milsurp bug. One of my purchases is a 1919 BSA Lee Enfield and I was wondering if anyone with a similar rifle could decode the markings? I am in Australia and apparently the rifle was government refurbished in the 40s (?) as was sold unfired after that to the previous owner a few decades ago. It apparently has had only had one box of ammo through it. This is all 'hear say' so I am keen to get as much of its genuine history as I can through its markings. The stock has a semi-gloss look to it so I am presuming this was done after the government refurbishment? Or did they ever give them a semi-gloss finish? It is in great condition, the barrel looks new and all numbers match.

Thanks in advance.

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

No government would ever finish rifles in a gloss or semi gloss finish. Just trry holding one when your hands are slippery or it's wet or rainy.

[dessy]

Can anyone recommend a Lee Enfield book that deals with markings? There seems to be a bunch of books available but I am not sure which one will provide some of the answers I am after.
Thanks again.

[bigduke6]

Can anyone recommend a Lee Enfield book

The best book by far is the, THE LEE-ENFIELD (A Century of Lee-Metford & Lee-Enfield Rifles & Carbines) by Ian Skennerton

[gsimmons]

Talk to Brian Dick at BDL Ltd he has quite a few books.

[Amatikulu]

The MA/51 indicates the rifle was refurbished in 1951 at Lithgow, Australia.
The D^D on the receiver ring indicated Australian Department of Defense ownership.
The SLAZ 50 on the fore stock indicates the wood was produced by Slazenger in 1950

The gloss finish as already indicated is not original military finish

[Paul S.]

I'll only add that the '1919' appears to read '1918' to me.

[muffett.2008]

Welcome dessy, the year is definately 1918.
The book you need for markings, is "The Broad Arrow" , this is a Skennerton book.
Ian Skennerton has written many books, depending on your main interest you can find most of what reference material you need at
http://www.skennerton.com
As stated the finish is not original, the rifle looks like a very nice example though.























































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