A new Lithgow, and it really needs a cleaning

[Homer]

I think P meaning replacement barrel is very debatable. There are vast quantities of rifles in circulation with P on the barrel that have not been replaced. 100% of those I've seen stamped P have been painted and I have not seen a painted rifle without the P.

[muffett.2008]

I agree, P is more likely to refer to the paint preservative, as to the stamping, this rifle is well up in the production line, the earlier rifles showed signs of excessive roll stamp wear.
My bet is that this stamp was finally replaced mid run........thoughts Andrew?

[Homer]

No disagreement from me muffer.

[Son]

Since we began looking at the "P" a while back, I've gathered heaps of pics of the "P" marking on barrels. There seems several different stamps have been used and the position of the mark varies also. One thing they all have in common is the presence of protective paint (or the remnants of) on the barrel and usually action, under the wood line.

On the topic of the R meaning replacement barrel, the date of manufacture and the serial number stamps look, from what I can see in the pics, to be identical in shape and application. I think the barrel is original to the build.

[Bindi2]

Since we began looking at the "P" a while back, I've gathered heaps of pics of the "P" marking on barrels. There seems several different stamps have been used and the position of the mark varies also. One thing they all have in common is the presence of protective paint (or the remnants of) on the barrel and usually action, under the wood line.

On the topic of the R meaning replacement barrel, the date of manufacture and the serial number stamps look, from what I can see in the pics, to be identical in shape and application. I think the barrel is original to the build.

Is not the R for rust. Probably under the furniture before the paint went on.