+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: More help needed.

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Contributing Member muffett.2008's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Last On
    Today @ 04:58 AM
    Location
    Scone, NSW. Australia
    Posts
    2,163
    Real Name
    kevin muffett
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:17 AM

    More help needed.

    If you look at the latest update of the Lithgowicon Survey, in the Survivor listings you will see some 1916/17 rifles marked with a ? (question mark), I need to add to these serial numbers to get a better breakdown of rifles with this mark.
    Attachment 103120


    On 1919 rifles you will see XX, once again I need more samples of this mark.
    Attachment 103119



    Depending on how much feedback I get, I should be able to tell you what each stamp means.

    Thanks in advance.
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to muffett.2008 For This Useful Post:


  3. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  4. #2
    Legacy Member 22SqnRAE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Last On
    09-27-2023 @ 11:49 PM
    Location
    Brisbane - the middle of right side of Oz
    Posts
    304
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:17 AM
    Ok, Muff, I'll volunteer the first dumb question...

    With the ?, are these known Lithys and original barrels, or has there been some changes to the working parts? In particular, barrels?

    Options may be a Lithy collected and placed in UKicon service and repatriated some time post War, or repaired in the field by a Brit armourer and handed back to the Australians? Here's where I'm guessing the ? might come form. No evidence to back my thoughts here, just thinking through what may have become of these rifles in the mix of the battle field.

    Pure guesswork here.
    Trying to save Service history, one rifle at a time...

  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Contributing Member muffett.2008's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Last On
    Today @ 04:58 AM
    Location
    Scone, NSW. Australia
    Posts
    2,163
    Real Name
    kevin muffett
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:17 AM
    Thread Starter
    This ? is an official Lithgowicon stamp, it can be found on both the receiver and barrel, it is specific to 1916 and 1917 dated rifles.

  7. Thank You to muffett.2008 For This Useful Post:


  8. #4
    Legacy Member 22SqnRAE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Last On
    09-27-2023 @ 11:49 PM
    Location
    Brisbane - the middle of right side of Oz
    Posts
    304
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:17 AM
    Muffer,

    That's an interesting anomaly. Any knowledge or info on what possessed Lithgowicon to use that symbol over the serials in such a defined period?

    The Bible doesn't mention that quirk, but that's not at all surprising with these rifles.
    Trying to save Service history, one rifle at a time...

  9. #5
    Contributing Member muffett.2008's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Last On
    Today @ 04:58 AM
    Location
    Scone, NSW. Australia
    Posts
    2,163
    Real Name
    kevin muffett
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:17 AM
    Thread Starter
    I do know the answer to that....but I ain't tellin yet.


    I had done the research for a book, but with my age and time being against me, I will probably add that chapter to the Lithgowicon Steel Spec's sticky when I am ready.

  10. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to muffett.2008 For This Useful Post:


  11. #6
    Legacy Member 22SqnRAE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Last On
    09-27-2023 @ 11:49 PM
    Location
    Brisbane - the middle of right side of Oz
    Posts
    304
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:17 AM
    Thank Muffer, you just keep all that know-lidge to yourself and leave us bozos in the dark then...

    Your semi-cryptic response has filled in the blanks at least.
    Trying to save Service history, one rifle at a time...

  12. Thank You to 22SqnRAE For This Useful Post:


  13. #7
    Advisory Panel
    Roger Payne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Last On
    03-20-2024 @ 06:05 AM
    Location
    Sutton Coldfield, UK.
    Posts
    3,429
    Real Name
    Roger Payne
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:17 PM
    Now he's got us all in a state of suspenders. Let's just hope he doesn't fall off his perch before he decides to cough!

  14. #8
    Contributing Member CINDERS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Last On
    03-25-2024 @ 11:01 AM
    Location
    South West Western Australia
    Posts
    7,734
    Real Name
    CINDERS
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    10:17 PM
    My 5MD 1916 Lithgowicon MkIII bears the same mark which I asked about on this very site 5-6 years ago and met ? so it would be interesting to know what it actually means as it is no where listed not in Ians books, Strattons nor Lithgow and Its People Vols I-II so I reckon waiting 6 years for an answer you should let us all know it has a '37 replacement barrel which seems to be another part of the puzzle with the "?" mark.

    One story I got was it was an English inspectors mark who was over here from Englandicon and for some reason at the factory looking at the way things were done.
    Don't know how true it is/was and cannot remember its source but that's one for the books of pie/sky stuff......
    Last edited by CINDERS; 10-01-2019 at 08:34 AM.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Help needed
    By ufo8mydog in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 02-13-2017, 04:14 PM
  2. Help needed
    By dahunter in forum Japanese Rifles
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-11-2013, 01:54 PM
  3. Quick advice needed - what tools needed for fitting forends
    By newcastle in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 12-17-2011, 03:09 PM
  4. SRS Needed
    By crazycossack in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 10-13-2011, 01:12 PM
  5. Help needed !
    By Mikey51 in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-05-2010, 07:28 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks