1943 MA Lithgow SMLE stock wood type

[Geoff B]

Last year an old family friend gave me this 1943 MA Lithgow SMLE. Her husband had been in Australia during the war and brought this sporterized rifle home. Does any one have an idea what type of wood they used for the stocks in 1943?
Thanks, Geoff

 

[303carbine]

Coachwood was used a lot..

 

[David K]

..... Mostly, locally grown, "Box Wood" or "Coach Wood" ..... Over time it develops a nice patina, and darkens somewhat. It's a relatively soft wood, which unfortunately dents fairly easily. Any dents usually respond to gentle "steaming" ..... I've got a 1943 that still shows clearly all the numbers etc. despite having a few dent from use ! ..... David K. ....

 

[Stevo]

Should be coachwood, unless it was FTR'd into a different stock.

Here's a couple pics of my '44 Lithgow:

 

[Geoff B]

Thanks for the info!

 

[fat tony]

I heard Queensland maple was used in addition to the Coachwood, is this the same wood/different name? beats me. . .

 

[Stevo]

I heard Queensland maple was used in addition to the Coachwood, is this the same wood/different name? beats me. . .

It's a different wood. If I remember correctly, the coachwood came into major use due to supplies of the maple dwindling with wartime production.