Common Knowledge or Received Wisdom?

[5thBatt]

Its quite simple really, you just have to read (not read into) the LoC of 1916

First part introduces modifications to the future manufacture of the MkIII

Second part introduces the MkIII* which being the same as a MkIII but without the cutoff or slot so may embody the modifications made to the MkIII mentioned in part 1 of the LoC

in short, after 1916 there were two models, the MkIII & the MkIII* so as the cutoff was not omitted it cannot be re-introduced as it was never omitted, rifles retro-fitted with cutoff were simple converted to MkIIIs hence the strike out of the *