Question about Australian military districts.

[Anzac15]

Bought a 1917 Lithgow over the weekend, rebarreled in 1945, still with mag cutoff, apparently parked. There is an 'Ishapore screw', so apparently it spent some time in India. The receiver is marked D D with arrow in the middle, and it is marked 6th Military District (Tasmania) My question regarding rifles marked as such is, did these rifles stay in Australia during the war as part of Australia's home defense, or were units sent to places where they were needed during the war? Have always wondered this.
And yes, it wasn't 'til I cleaned it that I saw the dreaded 'JJCO' marked very faintly stamped on the charger bridge. However, I do not think it is one of their 'bitsers', no 'A' suffix.

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[Bindi2]

The Aussies used the forend screw (ishy screw) for grenade fireing. The rifle could have been sent any where 6MD troops were sent. 6MD marked rifles are a little scarce on the ground so to have one is a find in its self. I would not be worried about the JJco mark as this would show that the rifle was surplused out of Australia.

[Anzac15]

Interesting. So these rifles could have gone anywhere, theoretically. Ok!
Of interest on it would be the buttstock. Markings are from left to right (wish I could post pics right now) 2/17 , kangaroo in a shield, CMF 3MD, a six digit number under that that does not match either of the two struck out serial numbers on the receiver, nor the current one..then HV II, then 6/46.
So is this buttstock non original to this rifle? Hmm. The six digit number on the buttstock, was that meant to match a rifle serial number, or is a type of 'inventory' number? 3MD on buttstock, 6MD on receiver. Hmmmmmm....

[Anzac15]

And of course, that's a five digit number on the butt...

[Homer]

If the numbers on the butt don't match the action, it's a mismatched butt. Sounds like your rifle may have undergone a refurbishment in 1946 at which time, if this is so, the butt would have been replaced. Also the action being parkerised is a sure sign of a refurb and almost certain indicator the butt and all the wood would have been replaced. The 2/17 date is the into stores date after it was made and the five digit number would have been the inventory number for the 3rd Military district it was issued two. 2/17 is very early 1917 and would probably be serial numbered under 60000. What is the action serial number? The crossed out numbers on the receiver are usually also inventory numbers, did you say two? Could be it went to two military districts and the receiver is struck twice. Is there another stamp under the 6MD. This is common for rifles issued to 6MD in Tasmania to have been to another state like 2MD and 3MD first.
Pictures would help.

[Anzac15]

Yeah, I've got a sure mess with my computer, it'll be some time before I can get any pics up. Such is my desire for history that I have to ask long winded questions like these!
The number on the buttstock below the 3MD is 43171. The two crossed out numbers on the receiver are 8136 and 5146. The current, unstruck number is 6086*. Bolt is the same. No prefix or Jovino 'A' suffix.

[colfi]

I am in Tasmania and collect /shoot mostly Tassie military firearms.

Take all the replies to your thread in as they are all correct. I have one rifle that has 5 separate numbers , all crossed out , on the receiver, that particular rifle has the same number, 355, to the butt and action, however the bolt is 200 odd lower in number and the barrel is 400 odd higher numbered, a real mix and match.

The parkerizing is WW2 refurb, Your wood , if original, would be Queensland Maple or Walnut, or just 'coach-wood' if it's a WW2 refurb. hope this all helps. Message me if you need bits, as you collect rifles you collect parts.

Col

[Anzac15]

Colfi, thanks for the input. Five numbers..wow! Where'd they find the room?
Interesting thing about this forestock is that I think it is Indian made, but not absolutely sure. No recoil plates, but a single screw through the back of it, where it connects with the buttsocket, much like I've seen on Ishapores. No Australian markings on it at all.
I love Lee Enfields, but the Lihgows hold a special place with me! Great to hear from someone who lives in the area where this rifle was assigned once!