Lithgow buttstock marking - just checking....

[spinecracker]

Just a quick question - would the "10 55" marking on this Lithgow buttstock (attached to a 1941 Lithgow No.1 Mk.III*) indicate an FTR in October 1955? Photos of the rifle do not indicate any "FR' or "FTR" markings, and I am not able to see the date on the barrel (the rifle is on the other side of the country, and the seller will not remove the rear hand guard in case he breaks anything - the "ears" are still on the hand guards, and he doesn't want to snap one off by accident).

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Information

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[Homer]

No, generally not. If it were FTR'd at any time from 1950 to 1959, the action would be stamped to indicate this. It could represent some kind of repair and returned to stores.

[Paul S.]

I suspect others hesitate to answer your question for the same reason I do. That is, that you are unable to provide enough information, specifically photos of other markings, etc. That said, I'll take a leap here based upon my limited knowledge and what I see.

First off, the wood is very dark (and dull) and not unlike what I've seen on rifle that have been in Indian Army service. That makes we wonder if it is a rifle that was surplused to the Indians at some point in time. Secondly, to my recollection the FTR markings I've seen have been 'FTR XX' with the 'X's being the last 2 numbers of the year. I'm trying to remember if any of my FTR'd rifles have the month stamped on them and without actually looking I don't think any do. With that, I suspect the '10 55' may not be an FTR date stamp. It may be a rack or issue number of some sort.

Again, I am only offering little more than my best guess.

[Homer]

Just to clarify, my answer is only referring to Lithgow practices since spinecracker mentioned it was a lithgow buttstock.

[spinecracker]

Not sure if these would help at all -

Attachment 39479Attachment 39480Attachment 39481Attachment 39482Attachment 39483Attachment 39484Attachment 39485Attachment 39486

The rifle, as mentioned above, is a 1941 Lithgow No.1 Mk.III*, without any noticeable markings that I am aware of indicating a little trip to the Indian subcontinent. The seller reports that the serial numbers match on the bolt, rear leaf sight and nose cap. The forend is unserialed, as is the magazine.

[Homer]

Mate I couldn't elaborate on any specifics of that gun without closer more detailed photo's of serial numbers and dates but from a distance it is a very nice original looking gun. Butt looks correct and the rest of the wood looks to be matching and is a nice dark color typical of coachwood that hasn't been cleaned or dicked with post service.

Ask the seller to confirm if the serial numbers on bolt, nosecap and forwood match.

[spinecracker]

Homer, I will let you know when it turns up - I went out on a limb and bought it, seeming that I got it for $225.

[spinecracker]

Well, the rifle tuned up today and I will post photos later tonight, but the nose cap does not have a serial number on it (but is marked "BA"), and the forend is a unserialed 1943 Slazenger with the reinforcing blocks in place. I am a little annoyed that I did not pick this up in the emails between me and the seller (now I look and find his comments - sheesh!). Serial numbers match on the receiver, bolt, barrel and rear sight leaf, so that is a small mercy. The rifle is a Jovino import, but it doesn't look like the ones they cobbled together. Someone at some point replaced the nose cap and forend, but at least they are both Australian parts.

After spending a short while dismantling and cleaning the rifle, I noticed that all parts are "MA", "OA" or "BA" marked. Whoever put the forend on did a great job - fits like a glove and ther barrel is dead center (not like if I had tried it...).

[Detroit-1]

What is the whole seriel number? Does it have a A before the number? From the other forum that you had this gun on I still think it is a rack number.

[spinecracker]

Serial number is C 82***, which I believe is correct for the rifle. There are no marks anywhere that would indicate any refurbishment. Feeling pretty annoyed about missing the replaced forend and nose cap lol.