The FTR and 54 also the smaller L indicates Thorough factory repair at the Lithgow New South Wales armoury. Just as a check on the grips, remove them, the right grip should carry the number of the gun they were assigned to stamped in to the wood. If they dont match the gun as I suspect that does not mean they are not wartime grips, but they are incorrect for your particular revolver. But hell, enjoy what you have, shoot it and have a ton of fun.
The 3/959 refers to the third military district the 959 unknowm but could mean a unit marking or issue number or block issue number. The third district indicated it went to a military issue area in the Australian state of Victoria. There are numerous rarerish Colt Official Police guns with 5inch barrels in 38-200 that carry the 3 stamp on the right sideplate. But no further 959 number under it, I own one of these which also carries a Woolwich arsenal number its one of 18250 of such marked specimens. Though close to 50,000 were produced. only 18250 carries those markings, getting off the subject now.
Check the grip number. The X by the way could mean and its speculation that what I said previously could be the case, older grips scrapped from a beyond repair gun and fitted to an FTR at Lithgow. Whose grips in turn were scrapped.
Look at the colour difference on the rejector rod and the rest of the gun, the ejector rod shows the original finish before FTR.
Check the grip right panel for the serial number.
Its still a unique revolver and the refinish and stampings are all part of its great history. From the war and until the Commonwealth couintries adopted the Browing High Power as its official sidearm.
