Looking for info on Australian marked BSR

[desi2358]

I just picked up a BSR with the Australian D Broad Arrow D mark indicating Australian issue. Mainly looking for an approximate delivery time for the gun. Serial number is V1204XX, it is parkerized and has the US Property stamp on the top strap. It also has an FTR stamp on the frame, date is hard to read but looks like 62. Small import stamp on left side of frame so I suspect it is a later import from the 80's or 90's.

Grip numbers don't match which I would surmise is due to the FTR. Everything else seems correct and it is still in the original 38 S&W caliber. With the US stamp I'm guessing it is a later Lend Lease gun.

 

[Absalom]

Originally shipped around October 1942, Lend-Lease contract.

Your description of the markings is a bit vague. Where exactly is the D^D? And the FTR stamp? The standard Australian FTR stamping cluster looks like the one in this picture. 62 would be very (too?) late; the highest we've got AFAIK is 55.

 

[desi2358]

Thank you for the information. The markings on mine are in the same location as the one you show. The stamping is rather shallow on the FTR marks, as if they were lightly struck. The Acceptance marks and the original "Made In USA" stamp are sharp and clear so I suspect a light strike as the cause. The number could be a 5 but looks more like a 6 to me. I need to dig out a better magnifier than the small one I have on my workbench and take a closer look at it.


Edit to add; Using a better magnifier the number is a 5 as the loop is open. The light stamping along with the top of the numbers on mine being super imposed on the "MADE IN USA" stamp certainly made it hard for my old eyes to read.