1916 lee enfield question

[pickledmoped]

I just picked up a 1916 lee enfield. .the person got it from a family member and didn't know anything about the history
My question is that when i got home i had a closer look at it and noticed that there is a name and initials and what looks like a military service number hand scratched to the bottom of the magazine. ...is that a standard thing that was done? The name is clear to read but the number is harder to see. ..it was put there a long time ago
Just hoping for some info about this since I don't know anything about these rifles

 

[tacfoley]

Definitely NOT any kind of a 'standard thing that was done'. It was/is called defacing Crown Property and would then and does now, get you in deep do-do with the Quartermaster, and that's just the beginning of the trail of woe.

tac

 

[mr.e moose]

Probably someones social insurance #

 

[plinker 777]

^ This. I seemed to be a popular thing to do in the late '50's-1960's. I have some of 'ol Granddad's guns and he electro penciled his name and SI # on all his firearms, I don't know why? In the event of theft perhaps?