No1 MkIII rear sight protector question

[Fritz]

Why are some No1 MkIII rear sight protectors asymmetrical with a step in them on the right hand side while others are symmetrical? I know it sounds dumb, but this has been bugging me for a little while. I need to order a sight protector for a restoration of a 1942 Lithgow No1 MkIII* and want to get the right one. I think the stepped one is correct from looking at other rifles, but it just looks kind of funny to me.

Information

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[Thunderbox]

Early SMLE rearsights had a windage adjustment knob on the right hand side - hence the step in the protector. The windage adjustment was deleted on most later SMLEs, but the rearsight protectors remained unaltered until the Indians started making symmetrical versions on their later rifles.

[Fritz]

Well that about seals that one. Thank you very much for the fast reply.

[RJW NZ]

and not to forget, do you need the one with or without the recess for a ww2 lithy? for what its worth my 1918 lithy that had a 1942 rebuild, has recessed ears.

[Son]

The recessed or "milled" sight protectors were deleted 1917 IIRC. All manufactured stock on hand would have been used, so a set of milled ears on a 1918 isn't impossible (I wouldn't think) At FTR any part that was passed inspection could have been re used.
A '42 Lithgow would have most likely been fitted with a set of ears stamped MA. Before about mid '41 (working from memory here, will take any corrections from the book) they would have been marked with the star with the A inside.

corrections?

[Fritz]

You guys are great. I'll be paying attention for the conclusion here.