More help needed.

[muffett.2008]

If you look at the latest update of the Lithgow 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.



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




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

Thanks in advance.

[22SqnRAE]

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 UK 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.

[muffett.2008]

This ? is an official Lithgow stamp, it can be found on both the receiver and barrel, it is specific to 1916 and 1917 dated rifles.

[22SqnRAE]

Muffer,

That's an interesting anomaly. Any knowledge or info on what possessed Lithgow 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.

[muffett.2008]

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 Lithgow Steel Spec's sticky when I am ready.

[22SqnRAE]

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.

[Roger Payne]

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!

[CINDERS]

My 5MD 1916 Lithgow 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 England 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......