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Australia 1, 2, 3
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:18 pm
by krinko
Here are three Enfield SMLEs with Australian property marks and what looks like a remnant of the old Military District inventory numbering system----but is that really what these numbers mean?
N01-
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL165/11 ... 421709.jpg[/pic]
NO2-
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL165/11 ... 421717.jpg[/pic]
NO3-
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL165/11 ... 421704.jpg[/pic]
NO3 again-
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL165/11 ... 421943.jpg[/pic]
They are all three from Enfield Lock, dated 1915, 1916 and 1917, with post war rebarrel work before going to Australia.
So is the numbering a holdover to the MD numbers? There are no "MD" marks on these rifles and only one has the inventory number on the buttstock.
-----krinko
In the same order
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:46 am
by Ned
I take it Krinko these are not serial numbers ?
I f they aren't then I think they are rack numbers that where used for different districts inventories.
The D arrow D are aussie defence department acceptance marks.
The 1,2 3 respective if not mil districts maybe inspector markings.
Obviously the butts don't hav ethe corresppondin gnumbers except but are there any FTR markings anywhere? That always didn't happen either. I have later year manufactured rifles with WW2 bits on them but no FTR markings,probably no need just get them out the door.
Cheers
NED
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:25 pm
by bradtx
krinko, Back when I was trying to learn where my '41 Lithgow served (no D^D, AUS, etc. stamp) I found out that the Military District's marking can take different forms. Mine just has a T, rather than TAS or #MD (I forget which MD it is). Yours could've been abbreviated also, depending on who and where it was stamped.
Another clue that it went to a Military District is the return to stores date on the butt. It seems many were returned in 1944.
Regards, Brad
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 6:40 am
by Ned
1MD is Queensland
2MD is New South Wales
3MD is Victoria
4MD is South Australia
5MD is Western Australia (Gods Country)
6MD is Tasmania and if ya real lucky
7MD is the Northern Territory.
Cheers
NED
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:43 am
by bradtx
Ned, Thanks for the info!
Yes, I do feel lucky to have one from Tasmania, I suspect they received the fewest arms. Unfortunately the previous owner didn't clean it after shooting corrosive ammo through it and I had to replace the barrel with a NIW Ishapore (perfect match).
I think Texas is another slice of God's country...ain't we lucky!
Regards, Brad
