Tracking down an old service number

[Shrek1985]

(Moved from the History section, my bad)

Hi, I am wondering if anyone on here knows anything about tracking down old service numbers?

When I bought the full stock for my sporterized enfield down south it was mounted on one junker of a rifle (first time i have ever literally seen something growing in a barrel), which the proprietors to my utter amazement were willing to break down and sell to me on the spot, in effect parting out a complete, if disgusting gun from their racks. Michigan, I love you.

I belive the stock is is either Lithgow or Orange production and the wood is in servicable condition, but here's the kicker; carved into the butt, upside-down so the guy could look down and see it, is the name Dolly and a 6-digit service number, distinct from what was on the rifle when they parted it out for me.

I have not used the butt from this set because, realistically or not, I would like to see if I could track the guy's family down through his service number. Maybe send the thing to them if I could.

So what do you think? any ideas? The butt in question is currently at my parent's place, but I could get it and the service number if i needed to.

 

[klambie]

You may need to narrow things down a bit to get an answer or at least some additional clues from the more knowledgable Enfield buffs:

What sort of rifle (Which era?)
What nationality (Australian?  When/where would Canadians have carried a Lithgow?)

A Canadian WWII-era service number (usually one letter and one to six digits) would at least point to a unit on enlistment, no idea about other conflicts/countries.

 

[Shrek1985]

Well, the first part is tricky. The Rifle itself is English production No1 MKIII* circa 1918, but the furniture and nosecap are Lithgow.

As far as I know, Austrailia was pretty hurting for weapons for most of the war and so I think it unlikly that the mystery soldier in question was other than a Digger.

Lastly, I am fairly certian that there are only the 6-digits, no letters.

Thanks Klambie