"W inside star" stamp - no idea

[spinecracker]

Anyone know what this stamp, located on the top of the reciever near the knox form on a No.4, means?

Information

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[Thunderbox]

Observation of many rifles would indicate that its a British depot inspection mark from either Weedon or Woolwich. I went with Weedon, but now bow to Peter L's better-informed assertion that it is Woolwich....!

[Badger]

I'm not sure if that follows the Weedon marking convention by one of the W.R.S. (Weedon Repair Standard) sub-contractors because it's a five (5) pointed star with the letter inside, but perhaps they changed it at some point.

A rifle having undergone W.R.S. repairs may be identified by a six (6) pointed star stamped into the wood, with a letter stamped underneath it indicating the specific sub-contractor who did the work. For example, the pics below show a different 1944 M47c (BSA Shirley) No.4 Mk1(T) in my wife's private collection. The butt itself on her rifle was changed during a visit to for W.R.S. work to W.W. Greener, as indicated by the six (6) pointed star and the letter V, which was their sub-contractor code letter.

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Doug

[spinecracker]

Just for a little background information, I have come across this mark on 2 Long Branchs, both of which I believe had service somewhere in the far east, but I cannot confirm that.