Long Branch Mk I*: refurbed or original?

[Ridolpho]

If memory serves, the SN's at LB were put on after the rifle was finished/"blued", and here the finish clearly went on after the SN was struck as it is in all the characters evenly and without any sign of disturbance, displacement or wear.

Surpmil: I'll take clearer pictures of the serial but displacement of metal around the numbers is present- just not made obvious by wear. Whatever the origin of this finish, lack of wear post finish is a given. Glancing at photos of the NZ rifles, they show uniform bluing within the numbers but significant wear on the deformed areas around them as the rifles have obviously seen some use during or post service. I should have time to dig this rifle out today as we have about 7" of fresh snow this morning. Winter has come early!

Ridolpho