Requesting 1917 Lithgow info

[Clash77]

You folks don't seem to have an official questions thread that I can see, but apologies if I'm posting this in the wrong place.

I recently acquired this 1917 Lithgow Mk.1*



Here's some shots of the barrel/receiver markings. All I can get out of it is that it's a Lithgow SN 77956 and it was FTR'd in Nov. 1952 - I'd much appreciate it if some of you much more knowledgeable folks could decipher some of these further





I'm also under the impression that the stocks (forestock in particular) are not original
Namely due to the age of the gun and the unlikeliness of the stocks lasting through both world wars
But also because while I was disassembling the rifle to clean it, I discovered that the receiver is cut for a magazine cutoff, but the stock is not.


I'd really appreciate it if someone here could tell me a little more about my rifle.
I've searched high and low all over the interwebs and haven't found all too much, so anything at all is greatly appreciated

Thanks

P.S. Sorry if the pictures are too big. I'm not sure how to thumbnail them

Information

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[jrhead75]

Looks like a standard '50s FTR job from Lithgow to start with. The forestock's Indian...quite a few Aussie FTRs seem to have ended up in India. The cutoff was done away with during WWII in both India and Australia, so nothing unusual about post war reworks with no provision in the forestock for the cutoff.

[Clash77]

Thanks! Greatly appreciated!

Cheers

[Amatikulu]

Ok Clash77, I'll have a go for you:

1. The picture of the complete rifle is rather dark but I think I can see a mark on the fore stock where a transverse screw would have been fitted - The screw was to reinforce the fore stock and based on the color of the wood, it would appear to indicate service in the Indian Army.

2. The right butt socket markings are indicating that the rifle was made in 1917 at the Lithgow factory in Australia. It would have been in the configuration of a No.1 mark III which is consistent with the magazine cutoff slot you found when removing the stock.

3. The picture of the barrel and Knox form indicate the barrel was replaced in 1952 and the mark D^D on the receiver is an ownership mark indicating the Australian Department of Defense.

4. the FTR mark and the serial numbers on the barrel were put there when the rifle was "Factory Thorough Repaired" probably in 1952 at Lithgow.

5. I can't make out the mark on the bolt handle but I think its an Indian proof mark indicating the bolt was replaced while in Indian service - not 100% sure about that.

6. The cocking piece is marked OA -42 - indicating the part was made at the Orange feeder plant in Australia in 1942.

7. Lastly the paint on the barrel is consistent with a preservative paint used to protect the metal on rifles used in tropical climates.

I suspect the history of your rifle goes something like this:

Made in 1917 as a No.1 mark III, may have been in time for WWI, left in service until WW2 broke out when it was converted to a No.1 mark III*. Parts replaced during WW2 before being FTR'd in 1952 in response to the Korean War. Sold some time after 1952 to the Indians before being surplussed by them for sale in the USA.

[Demo]

The year of the FTR will be stamped on the lower left side of the butt socket. The date on the barrel is the barrel manufacture date and may or may not be the same as the FTR year stamp.

[Clash77]

The year of the FTR will be stamped on the lower left side of the butt socket. The date on the barrel is the barrel manufacture date and may or may not be the same as the FTR year stamp.

Mine has MA/54 stamped there. So that means it was FTR'd by Lithgow in '54 then?

Does the MAVII on the barrel refer to the use of the Mk. VII ammunition?