Lithgow Rifles Survey

[muffett.2008]

Colorado, it looks like a spare receiver made up by BSA into a working rifle.
The barrel is a replacement, the R shows that a used '42 barrel was fitted later.
Other than the barrel and rearsight, the rest of the parts appear to be British.
The serial number is British, way to low a number for a 1916 Lithgow assembled rifle.
It may have had the original number scrubbed off, or have been a virgin replacement receiver, prior to 1925, the barrel number was the primary number and so if it was a part replacement, the receiver would have been stamped with the original BSA number, in this case I 8617.

[Colorado68]

muffet, thank you for the reply.

I'm attaching another picture showing the proof marks.
Thought I might add more information to help confirm what this may have been or where it started out.

I understand the shield with the AC over P designates an early Lithgow, is that true?

As for the rest of the parts, the stock is stamped MA Lithgow, butt plate is MA, rear sight is OA 42, slaz 41 also stamped on butt stock behind trigger guard. Magazine is OA 4, barrel band is OA and the bolt BA. So many more Australian parts than British.
The barrel is stamped with a crown over crossed flags with L over P which is Lithgow.
Also crown over number 1 over L which is early Lithgow SAF.
Attachment 79632
I plan to do a full disassembly and see if there are additional markings.

Anyhow, I hope this added information helps.
Thank you

[BushyFromOz]

Colorado, it looks like a spare receiver made up by BSA into a working rifle.

Muffet, would they re-manufacture an existing action and re-issue it under a BSA serial number??

[muffett.2008]

No need to remanufacture, back then the barrel was the control component, the action was just another part, to be replaced when and where required.
This is not the first instance we have seen of these early actions being used in this fashion, actually one of the very early posts of a firearm in this survey(either here or on Gunboards) was for one such as this.

[BushyFromOz]

Well there ya go, i thought the barrel would be a disposable item. Strange its the control part

[muffett.2008]

Not anymore, the receiver became the control part after 1925.

[P246]

Muffet here is one I have in front of me I'll dig the other three out of the safe and get them to you.

1941 Receiver B74393. Stock shows rebuild date of 4/45. Barrel is dated 3/45 and has no serial number on it.

[muffett.2008]

Thanks, much appreciated.

[P246]

Here is my other three
1915 ser 31272 FTR marked by serial number with MA 54 stamped on left wrist. Barrel has been stamped with 31272 serial number and is 53 dated.

1942 serial number D 85369 has 1943 rebuild stamp on stock and 1943 barrel win R replacement symbol. Serial number is stamped on barrel.

1943 serial number E 72536. Rebarreled in 1955. Stock sanded.

[muffett.2008]

Thanks 246, would appreciate the full date on the barrel e.g 4/43