what does the "z" Mean

[Iron Horse]

what makes you think it's stainless?

Its very shiny .

We've got half a dozen HT,s and when you see them all together this one stands out.

Ill get some photos and the date soon.

[browningautorifle]

Its very shiny

As in silver shiny or shiny blue?

[Iron Horse]

As in silver shiny or shiny blue?

As in stainless steel shiny (sorry, yes silver)
only at the muzzle can it really be seen though
Would nickel steel look like that?

Ill get some nice pics soon.

I was hoping you would all say "z... ah yes, that means stainless steel barrel" and mystery would be solved, but I guess not huh.
All good fun stuff though hey?

any other info that I can post that y'all think might help, please ask.

[smle addict]

My apologies for getting in late on this discussion. My "H" has a small "m" stamped above it (see pics). Rifle is a 1907 Enfield MkIII. It has a sold out of service stamp of feb 1926 on the stock (right over the cartouche!). Barrel is a Lithgow replacement of 11-1938. Has an H on the knox form as well. Un-numbered early lithgow replacement bolt.

Always wondered about the "m". Another piece of the mystery...

[CINDERS]

My Lithgow 1916H has that under the safety but upside down to look like a W

[Homer]

Now the M I've seen quite a bit I think, but I've no idea what it is.

[muffett.2008]

OK, my best guestimate on the 'Z'. as it's obvious that I'm not going to get a build date.
As I stated earlier, there was the initial contract of H pattern rifles, then a subsequent run of weapon updates to 'H' pattern for rifle club members, using their rifles, usually of early build dates - 1915/19.
This work was carried out at military depots central to the clubs requesting the upgrade. for example, within my immediate area, you would have Murrurundi, Scone, Aberdeen, Merriwa, Denman, Muswellbrook and Singleton, all within a 60mile radius and all close to rail links, used by the travelling armourers back then.
As the H stamping was placed on these upgrades when completed, I think that individual armourers also were allocated a letter as an identifier, stamped near the H, and also noted on other rifle repairs done on request by the Clubs.
Records show that on average there were rifle inspections and maintainance programs twice yearly post WWI, unsure if this level was maintained or reduced to one inspection, my Club records show a single yearly inspection post WWII but by then club Armourers were allocated to do limited work, anything beyond their scope either waited for the inspection team or was forwarded to the nearest Repair facility, in our case Singleton.
I must reiterate that this is an assumption on my part, backed up by Club repair records and requests, but with no definate proof that these letters actually indicate what I suggest.

[Homer]

Very interesting information muffer.

[Iron Horse]

thanks muffet sounds very plausible, when I get home Ill get those build dates and Ill also go right over it and see if there are any other little z's.
In the mean time what do you all think about the possibility of a stainless steel H barrel on a No1 Mk111 sniper.

[muffett.2008]

A dream, the stainless tests were light profile I think, specifically numbered and not general release.
........but never say never.