Australian Lithgow markings. I have one almost just like this.
can anyone shed light on what the numbers mean are they manufacture dates refurb dates or something i dont know
thank you very much popeye
The B1953 will be the pairing number to the bolt. On the underside of the bolt handle will be the pairing number. The bolt and body were paired well before completion and the serial number being added.
HV on the butt is High Velocity, 1918 III* means the butt was on a 1918 MkIII* rifle, 5MD is 5th Military District, 8892 could well be the local number/rack number for the 5th District, L8 will be the inspector number, the Kangaroo in the shield is probably a Lithgow marking.
5 MD-state of Western Australia-the military districts conform with state boundaries-CMF=Citizens Military Forces=British Territorial army or US National Guard (currently called the Army Reserve in Australia)-HV means the rifle is sighted and chambered for Mk VII .303 ammo with 'pointy' bullets. The star above the shield is part of the Lithgow mark-replaced in the 1920s by a stamp that just says 'LITHGOW'-the 9 above the 18 is the month mark, so September 1918 manufacture. If the rifle had been refurbed it would be marked like my example 'R' and a later date than original manufacture.
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