Ex-NZ military Long Branch No4 Mki with “D” marking

[tomwolf26]

Hi guys

I’m new to the forum and this is my first post. Thanks for all your previous posts , the knowledge you shared here is of great help to a novice collector like me to get started

Im to pick up a LB 1942 No4 Mk1* rifle later this week here in New Zealand. A nice looking one with a serial numbers match.It has ‘NZ + broad arrow’ stamped stock so I assume it’s likely to be an ex-NZ military rifle. As I went through pictures of it, there was a “D” marking drew my attention. It’s located on the butt socket, just below the army service numbers (I suppose) and the LB production serial number.

What concerns me most is whether it’s related to “DP” markings we usually see on Drill Purpose Only rifles? I checked many photos of DP rifles and seems they were always marked “DP” instead of a single D. There seems no sign of a “P” ever marked or removed next to the D, neither any D/DP markings found on other parts of the rifle, but the shape and location of the letter is still suspicious…

If it’s nothing to do with DP then does anyone know what it might stand for?

your thoughts are much appreciated!

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