1921 Lithgow No. 1 Mk III Unfired

[muffett.2008]

I think where we are getting confused is with the word "refurbish".
My research finds no mention of weapon refurb. programs prior to 1948 with Lithgows, but there were constant "repair" programs run from 1915 to 1947.
My understanding has always been that the date stamp on the butt was a Repaired-returned to storage stamp, as opposed to the FTR that was marked on the receiver.
The largest repair program was late 1944 to 1947 when the "recaptures" were returned from Malaya and sorted for repair/disposal.
A lot of these rifles were converted to sub calibre, most dated 1940/41, sporting rifles and rebuilds to replace firearms withdrawn from Rifle Clubs.
The repair programs were implemented by the Government of the day to reduce the unemployment post war and ease the returning service personnel and factory workers back to a degree of normality, as opposed to the recession post WW1.

This rifle would have become second line, as all active service units were re-equiped with new rifles for the second conflict. Therefore it may have simply done guard or training work until it was earmarked for repair.