Stock Disk ID?

[delican_38]

Hey folks,

I recently picked up a 1918 SSA No.1 Mk.III*, and I’m having some tribune figuring out what the markings on the stock disk mean. The markings read “ 2 AA 20”.

From what I can guess, perhaps this rifle spent some time in either the Allhalabad Arsenal, or perhaps the Ardrossan Academy? I realize that this disk was likely added after the rifle was produced.

Any information would be greatly appreciated please.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[RobD]

According to http://martinihenry.com/units.htm

A.A. = Armament Artificers, though 1920 seems a bit late to use an antique name for REME - or have I got this all wrong?

Rob

[Alan de Enfield]

Just a WAG :

"2nd Co Anti Aircraft Battery" ?


There is obviously no need for it to be original, you can buy the discs from ebay and engrave them whatever you want.

[Patrick Chadwick]

There is obviously no need for it to be original, you can buy the discs from ebay and engrave them whatever you want.

In fact, I don't think it's original.

Follow my motto and LOOK at what you see.

What you see is a stock disk. But LOOK at its surroundings. There are no less than 3 positions where wood has split out of the stock. This is a sure sign that the disk was, once upon a time, removed by a crude application of force - mabe levered out with a screwdriver.

So whether the disk was made last week or a hundred years ago is irrelevant. It is not original.

And please note, this conclusion does not require any esoteric knowledge of unit markings. It is a simple case of wear and tear not matching up.

I apologize if this becomes a little bit of a lecture, but time and again posters get entangled with questions of markings, without looking to see if the components match in wear and tear.

Look at what you see!

[Alan de Enfield]

In fact, I don't think it's original.

Neither do I, but I was trying to let the guy down gently - how many of us have bought something and then found out its a 'fake' or 'not quite' what we thought it was.

[delican_38]

In fact, I don't think it's original.

Follow my motto and LOOK at what you see.

What you see is a stock disk. But LOOK at its surroundings. There are no less than 3 positions where wood has split out of the stock. This is a sure sign that the disk was, once upon a time, removed by a crude application of force - mabe levered out with a screwdriver.

So whether the disk was made last week or a hundred years ago is irrelevant. It is not original.

And please note, this conclusion does not require any esoteric knowledge of unit markings. It is a simple case of wear and tear not matching up.

I apologize if this becomes a little bit of a lecture, but time and again posters get entangled with questions of markings, without looking to see if the components match in wear and tear.

Look at what you see!

I will agree with you that it certainly isn’t an original part of the gun; the stock tells that well. I was just curious to see if the markings stood out to anyone as a particular group from history. I appreciate the honesty.

[englishman_ca]

I forget where I was, but years ago I was at a dumpster behind a fabrication shop. In one bin was scrap steel, another bin had scrap brass. I noticed that some of the brass punchings were roughly the size of a Lee Enfield stock disk. I grabbed a few and put them in my pocket. Put them up, forgot about them.

Years later I found them in a tin can at the back of the a shelf where I had stashed them.
Well it turned out that the punching is exactly the right size to fit the butt stock inlet. Of course I now wish that I had grabbed a bunch of them. I think that I have but the one left.

Not original, I know, but when drilled, countersunk and installed, it is impossible to tell from a factory unit.
Attachment 102126

[browningautorifle]

the punching is exactly the right size

Yes, an ice cream tub full would have sold well over time. You still wouldn't have any because we'd have bought them all over the years.

[RobD]

EnglishmanCA, I was interested in your "Rule 303" disc, and I found an interesting article on Wikipedia which gives the origin of the phrase in a different light... as a South African, I found it an eye-opener...
Court-martial of Breaker Morant - Wikipedia

[Roger Payne]

Rob, the Wikipedia article is quite good. If you’ve got an appropriate TV package try & find & watch the film ‘Breaker Morant’. IMHO it’s an excellent film. Made about 1979/80 ish IIRC & features the late Edward Woodward (who plays a blinder) as Morant, very ably backed up by Bryan Brown.
I must say, as a huge credit to the Aussies, when they make a film about warfare they do a far better job of it than many Hollywood blockbusters, which often resort to shallow cliche ridden plots & dialogue. Look also at Beneath Hill 60, the dramatised true story of Oliver Woodward, the most decorated Australian tunnelling Company officer of the Great War. Well worth a watch if you have an hour & a half to spare.

Just a few thoughts......

Sorry, I wandered off the subject a bit.