1944 Lithgow

[Peter Laidler]

Just as a metter of interest and in no real relation to this thread except that we're talking bolts, we used to re-use old otherwise serviceable bolts that had been taken from rifles for many reasons. At the Base workshops I am familiar with, we'd wait until we had a load then take them to the fitters/turners shop - just along the path - and he'd mount them in the lathe, set it running and while the bolt was rotating in the chuck, a high speed cross slide mounted small diameter grinder (that they also used to sharpen rotary lawnmower blades and crankshafts etc etc) would skim across the rear of the bolt and take off the old number. Not touching the knob of course. Once the bolts had gone through the phosphating tank and had been de-embrittled (they'd been hardness tested previously of course) they were like new. IN fact, you wouldn't be able to tell them from new!

[muffett.2008]

The action is the bit that throws me, yes the barrel, FOREWOOD, and nosecap seem legit, the butt should have had an FTR stamp.
As for humping, more a case of too much if that's the case. Maybe played with by a previous owner, that may explain the different stamps used.
Just another one to put in the Don't Know file, until something else comes along to help clarify it.

I used to keep a file on the odd ones I came across, big problem is the disc is corrupted, I'm trying to reboot an old laptop with very dead battery, to see if it can be downloaded again, if all else fails I'll pull the hard drive.

[Homer]

The action is the bit that throws me, yes the barrel, FOREWOOD, and nosecap seem legit, the butt should have had an FTR stamp.
As for humping, more a case of too much if that's the case. Maybe played with by a previous owner, that may explain the different stamps used.
Just another one to put in the Don't Know file, until something else comes along to help clarify it.

I used to keep a file on the odd ones I came across, big problem is the disc is corrupted, I'm trying to reboot an old laptop with very dead battery, to see if it can be downloaded again, if all else fails I'll pull the hard drive.

Muffer it's my belief that the butts on rifles FTR'd during the 50's were not marked as such and were generally totally bare, except for some cases where second hand butts were used and stamps from the previous gun were removed but still partially visible.

Mate however much we disagree in this discussion, I do with the greatest respect and fully acknowledge yours and Peters lengthy experience with enfields and as armorers.

[bigduke6]

Just for comparison a few pics of my FTR 1926 Lithgow, FTR in 53, new barrel, bolt, nose cap and timber fitted then, no FTR on the timber, its had a NOS barrel fitted since these pics were taken.

[Detroit-1]

Well this gun is whatever it is and I want to thank everyone for their time and help. I have shot her only once and I'am still working up loads. Thanks again everyone and come on spring!

[muffett.2008]

Sorry Demo, I did not intend to cross swords, your collection would give you greater access to on hand referencing.
Maybe that is our problem, it's easy to see fault or see nothing from thousands of miles away, you can't beat having the item in your hot hands.

I am beginning to lean more towards your post#29, I notice under magnification the remnants of buttmarks more consistant with it's age, also it appears that the buttplate overlaps the timber, showing that the butt was heavily sanded in this area.

Just to answer Detroits query regarding the MA51, this is just the barrel manufacture date, it is sheer coincidence that the barrel is the same year as the FTR, it could have been any year new barrel on hand at the time, thanks for allowing us to pick your rifle to pieces, it gives us something to do and rattles the rust from our brains.

[Homer]

Sorry Demo, I did not intend to cross swords, your collection would give you greater access to on hand referencing.
Maybe that is our problem, it's easy to see fault or see nothing from thousands of miles away, you can't beat having the item in your hot hands.

Mate sorry for what. I've thoroughly enjoyed the discussion and I hope we can engage like this more often.

[muffett.2008]

In a pub over a beer.

[Bindi2]

In a pub over a beer.

I would do a raid for that.

[Son]

Homer...
(quote) "I've thoroughly enjoyed the discussion and I hope we can engage like this more often."

muffett.2008...
(quote) "In a pub over a beer."

Bindi2
(quote) "I would do a raid for that."

It's about time I weighed into this discussion with something relevant for the outcome reached.... I'll buy the first round

Thank you all concerned for a very educational and entertaining discussion. I've thoroughly enjoyed following it.