Second Class mark
A common marking on wood and metal is the number 2, denoting an arm passed into the second class. The criteria of which is recorded in the RSAF records Used arms are placed in the second class that after thorough repair they can be made serviceable, but not fulfilling the exact conditions or dimensions of the first class arms. 1) Lapping the bore to .451” but the .454” plug must not enter the bore 2) Filing the exterior surface of the barrel thereby to reduce weight which must not be 3lb 5oz for rifle and 2lbs 4oz for carbines. 3) Piecing or making off of butts and fore-ends which causes them to materially depart from the standard pattern 4) Barrels were tested for mean accuracy beign fired at 500 yards, the mean accuracy was not to exceed more than 3 feet. 5) On inspection the barrel is to be found of the 1st class but the woodwork of the butt and or the fore-end is of 2nd class, the parts are to be exchanged and the rifle will remain in the 1st class, 6) If a barrel is found to be in the 2nd class and the butt and fore-end is to be found in the 1st class the barrel shall be replaced: the rifle will remain in the 1st class 7) If the barrel is found to be of the 2nd class and the butt and fore-end are of the second class, the arm becomes 2nd class 8) Portions of arms withdrawn on account of re-classification will be utilized by assembling with parts of their own class to for complete arms.
