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Lithgow Lee-Enfield No1 MK3* markings

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JDugas View Drop Down
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    Posted: January 25 2021 at 11:09am
Good day, 

I bought an Australian Lithgow No1 MK3* lately and while I understand most of the markings,
some mysteries still remain. 

Known Fact: 
originally built at Lithgow in 1943 or Refurbished at Lithgow in 1943, 
was used at some point by the Ministry of Defense. 
Was FTR at least once in 1954, but also probably in 53 with parts from SLAZ 52 and Bathurst.
All parts were restamped to match the serial number. 

IDENTIFICATION:
FTR 1954 Marking

Starting with a confirmation, this is found on the buttstock. I assume it's the FTR date, July 1954. 

LITHGOW 1953 Marking

 I'm assuming this is a Lithgow marking of 1953, probably the fist FTR pass on it. 

FTR Restamping

This Serial number, which is a Serie E 64716, is found everywhere on the rifle. 
Close to the bolt you can see an engraving stating: FTR 716 

LITHGOW Identification
 
I read somewhere that the MA above the Lithgow could mean a refurbished Lee-Enfield, but I'm not sure. 
Rifle is dated 1943. 

SLAZ or LAZ Marking, 1952
 
Found underneath , a marking that looks like LAZ, but there's a faded S before. 
I can't understand the design that is under the 52, however. 

Receiver Marking Identification

Now this is the part that I think I may need some help with. 

D(Arrow)D means the Australian Ministry of Defense. 
Crown means it's part of the commonwealth 
A over II or VII: I don't know what this means. 
L(Arrow)29: I don't know what this means. 

If some of you may know about this markings, or would like to correct my assumption, 
I'm all hears. 

Thank you!
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SGonger View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SGonger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 20 2021 at 5:21pm
A newbie here so bare with us on this test,are there no replies or response’s etc to this post? Obliged!
Anyone seen the Tardis Box anywhere? 🤨
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote devrep Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 21 2021 at 12:56am
double gun
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote devrep Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 21 2021 at 1:02am
MA was the mark used for Lithgow Small Arms Factory (LSAF) after 1926.  OA is the mark for Orange Arsenal, one of the many workshops at Lithgow.  OA took up most if not all of the production of Lee Enfield's and bayonets from LSAF when LSAF moved to automatic weapon production.
double gun
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SGonger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 21 2021 at 3:35am
The L^29=Lithgow inspector view mark.
SLAZ=Is a short abbreviation of Slazenger furniture Company based in Sydney.The 52 & Mark below it is the SLAZ logo inspection View stamp mark. 
MA=Abbreviation of Munitions Australia,post 1926.
MA/53 dated etc left side of receiver FTR rebuild.
The 716 is part of the S/N with a E prefix above it on reciver knox,FTR is a stand alone stamp mark.
It’s a poorly struck MA over VII mark.
Cheer’s.)
Anyone seen the Tardis Box anywhere? 🤨
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JDugas View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JDugas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 21 2021 at 9:12am
Thank you for reviving this thread with a test, 
Seems like it caught some attention thanks to this :) 

Thank you a lot for the replies, it confirm some of my thoughts about the history of this rifle. 

Have a great day! 

Cheers, 

JF  

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 21 2021 at 6:27pm
sorry late to the party , welcome to the site , 

the little marks below the 52 are inspection/acceptance marks , do not dwell on those 
the DarrowD mark is austrailian military mark not necessarily home front , all lithgows should have that - the home front Military District are a numerical code like 3MD for 3rd military district Victoria [thats on my no1 mkIII] these were WWII markings , 
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