Lithgow 1917 SMLE...HELP NEEDED

[bros]

Thanks for your reply mattyboy82

Any way of sharing that info possibly?

Just wondering if there are any specific Australian SMLE books out there other than Skennerton's big Enfield book?

I think not as I believe I have nearly every book written on the Lee Enlfield but just checking in case I missed one.

[CINDERS]

SC under the HV stamp on the barrel signifies = Short Cone not sure but I think that may signify a short lede into the bores rifling from the chamber neck, happy to be corrected on this one.

Having an oiler serial No.'ed to the rifle is pretty rare, my 1921 Lithgow No.1 MkIII has it's '07 bayonet serial No.'ed to it has the 1921 Lithgow double stitched scabbard which are fairly rare.
Nice honest looking rifle, I did notice some chipping of the butts wrist from the socket PL has info on this site of the gap required there as the butts are a wedge type fitment AFAIK.

[bros]

im very pleased with the rifle, as it arrived.

Wood is most certainly coachwood and I'm quite certain the fore-end is original! The magazine

Bore is very good and magazine is "OA" stamped so that's a bonus too.

I plan on taking it to the range in the next while.

[Homer]

Only looking at my phone but I’m not so sure that’s coachwood, more like very dark qld maple. Hasn’t been through an FTR or refurb. What type of rear sight does it have?
Also interesting star on the nosecap, haven’t seen that before

[Homer]

The 1.45 on the butt will be a 'storage date'. Along with the '3.A' which from research, it appears this stands for '3rd Australian Ordnance Depot'. I have a lot more info on this period and why we often see SMLEs with mid-1944 to early 1945 stores dates.

The 2 barrel fitment dates will be for the original rifle fitment date and the 2nd one will be when that barrel was placed on your rifle. It's not unusual for it to not have the new serial number stamped on it especially as time was rather precious for Australia during 1942....

On the subject of an FTR, the wartime markings will often have an R/MA with a date to signify refurb at Lithgow and in the 1950s there was an FTR program for rifles to be used by the National Service Scheme. But there nothing to indicate an refurb or FTR on yours.

R/MA over the date, wartime or post war?