1921 Lithgow No. 1 Mk III Unfired

[muffett.2008]

I think where we are getting confused is with the word "refurbish".
My research finds no mention of weapon refurb. programs prior to 1948 with Lithgows, but there were constant "repair" programs run from 1915 to 1947.
My understanding has always been that the date stamp on the butt was a Repaired-returned to storage stamp, as opposed to the FTR that was marked on the receiver.
The largest repair program was late 1944 to 1947 when the "recaptures" were returned from Malaya and sorted for repair/disposal.
A lot of these rifles were converted to sub calibre, most dated 1940/41, sporting rifles and rebuilds to replace firearms withdrawn from Rifle Clubs.
The repair programs were implemented by the Government of the day to reduce the unemployment post war and ease the returning service personnel and factory workers back to a degree of normality, as opposed to the recession post WW1.

This rifle would have become second line, as all active service units were re-equiped with new rifles for the second conflict. Therefore it may have simply done guard or training work until it was earmarked for repair.

[Homer]

Muffer you'll get no argument from me so if using the word refurbished for Cinders rifle and rifles similar to it is incorrect, I'm happy to be corrected. For the record, Ive never seen a rifle repaired or refurbished out of Lithgow dated 1948 or 1949. Ive collected many rifles that have been completely overhauled similarly to a those that were FTR'd in the 50's, stamped R over MA over the month/45/46/47 but never 48 or 49. They always appear to be completely refurbished with all parts replaced.

[muffett.2008]

My records show file 245/453/8 1948/57 Orders commercial, 5000 hornet rifles for Slazenger P/L.
245/540/182 1948 Sale of 7000 defective rifles for sporting use.

[Surpmil]

The condition of the butt does not match the condition of the metal and if it was refinished, someone did a very skillful job of polishing before it was blued. Those edges look awfully crisp, square and original to me, but I claim no expertise on Lithgows. Could it be a barreled action that was set aside or even sold off at some point between the wars and later completed or restocked, in or out of service? Is it a long butt? Looks like it. If so, it might have been used for that reason, instead of one that matched in coachwood. Just looking along the sharp edge at the top of the receiver wall above the boltway in this photo, is that a succession of small dents along the 'sharp' edge? If so, and there's no loss of finish around them, you've probably got a reblue; in service or out I have no idea.

Looks like the flat of the Nock's Form does is out of alignment with the flat on the barrel ring(?)

[CINDERS]

It may be the lighting I will dig her out again and take more pics as all I have is my I-phone so bear with me if I do not get to it straight away as it is a real pr*ck to get to I am glad for the input of you all and am learning allot about the old girls more than what the books can give at this point in time.
I really appreciate the assistance given to this thread as I said not for me to shoot or sell it is for my wife or son to squabble over when I am done with this place, funny how my wife claimed the '16 Lithgow.......?

[CINDERS]

Have a look from here as there was allot of reflected light from 2 white cars parked close by and a very sunny day as I was under our patio so there may be aberrations that make it look like dimples and misalignment of the re-enforce to the action.

Somehow I lost the Rt action picture so here's the left side of the receiver there are no dimples will try to get a close horizontal for you all.

[Homer]

The condition of the butt does not match the condition of the metal and if it was refinished, someone did a very skillful job of polishing before it was blued. Those edges look awfully crisp, square and original to me, but I claim no expertise on Lithgows. Could it be a barreled action that was set aside or even sold off at some point between the wars and later completed or restocked, in or out of service? Is it a long butt? Looks like it. If so, it might have been used for that reason, instead of one that matched in coachwood. Just looking along the sharp edge at the top of the receiver wall above the boltway in this photo, is that a succession of small dents along the 'sharp' edge? If so, and there's no loss of finish around them, you've probably got a reblue; in service or out I have no idea.

Looks like the flat of the Nock's Form does is out of alignment with the flat on the barrel ring(?)
https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....8&d=1385183755

The butt has been on the rifle from its manufacture in 1921. Very often when forwoods were replaced, the original butts were retained.

Also I think there is no doubt the metal has been refinished.

Overall it looks a very legitimate rifle repaired in 5/44

[CINDERS]

One last thing if the barrel or action was not requiring any work including the bolt etc then would they have placed an FTR on the receiver to denote it had been done as I have seen on countless pics of these markings through books and web pics.

Could it be that this weapons action was as described to me by the gunny and just the woods were stuffed and needed replacement anyway it is a good talking point mind you I would just love to go through the Enfield pattern room, have you been through there Peter or anyone else for that matter boy I would just love a tour......

[Homer]

Cinders you really need to read my previous post. Lithgow did not FTR rifles until 1950 and only these rifles were stamped FTR on the action. These were stripped to the action and rebuilt into new rifles. Yours is not one of these.

[CINDERS]

Thanks Homer pretty happy with the replies as whilst it may be a refurb don't really matter the thing is its 95% (fore stocks) I have gauged the barrel and a .301 did not go in the Muzzle so it just lives in the safe gets aired probably 3-4 times a year for a light Tetra oil bore swab, balistol on the ext metals and beeswax stock session then back to the safe does not even see sunlight so it has a good life.

Thanks to all for the replies and info supplied.