"unissued" NO.1 Mk3

[newcastle]

There is an allegedly unissued Lithgow No.1 MK3* in the local gun store.
It looks immaculate but is dated 1942 (which is a bit suspish' to me). I searched and could not find the ubiquitous "JJCo NY" anywhere. It has a 6 digit serial number including an inital letter which is 'Y'. Nosecap is not serialed though everything else is as you would expect. Wood does appear to be coachwood. I did not gauge it as I didn't have my throat gauge with me, but the rifling looks immaculate. Can anyone comment on whether a 1942 lithgow could have got this far unused or whether it is more likely a put together. ps : They also have a 1950 longbranch with 'Bantam' buttstock, which I've never seen before - it's like a rifle designed for hobbits.

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[jrhead75]

The 'Y' on a Lithgow S/N is the big red flag (among several). If JJCo didn't assemble it here...someone else likely did.

[newcastle]

Thank you sir. ASSUMING that it is a bitser, it looks fantastic anyway, so if I get it as a shooter I should check for a) Recoil plates as it's coachwood b) fit of forestock etc. Anything else obvious I'm missing?

[A square 10]

1942 would have been a high demand period , buy the rifle not the story

[5thBatt]

High demand year means nothing, they are about, my unissued Lithgow was a 1942 & i have seen others.

[paulseamus]

My well used '42 Lithgow No1 MkIII* has a '42 reciever and 1943 stamped on the butt. That indicates that the reciver was produced in 1942 and the rifle was assembled in 1943. It has a low E serial number. (E1385 from memory.)

Given that Lithgow was producing E serial numbers in 1942, your Y serial number is very suspect.

Get hold of a Skennerton publication for Lithgow serial numbers by production year. Brian at BDL Ltd has all the correct reference books for sale. here is the link. BDL LTD

If it is in really good condition, it could make a good shooter, regardless of who put it together BUT have a qualified "Enfield Experienced" gunsmith thoroughly check it out and guage it prior to shooting.

Much cheaper to pay a gunsmith than a surgeon.

Cheers

Paul

[Cold_Zero]

No sure if you have checked this locations, flip the rear sight up and look by the "HV" JJ Co may be stamped very faintly.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Given that Lithgow was producing E serial numbers in 1942, your Y serial number is very suspect.

That is putting it very mildly. According to my copy of "The Lee Enfield Story", the last ever Lithgow No.1 was numbered F40580, assembled 1956 with a 1953 receiver. So Lithgow never got anywhere near a Y prefix. And as far as I know, no factory ever used six figures - but I do not have comprehensive information.

Are you absolutely sure that it is a Y and 6 figures? Please look with an eyeglass in case there is a point separating the figures into two groups.

[newcastle]

I'll head back to the store this afternoon and check it out. Thanks for the hints folks.

[mack]

John Jovino in New York assembled these rifles on apparently unused receivers in the early 1990s and they have been around for years. They are purely new rifles using older, NOS parts. I don't think any of the serials ever corresponded but the new stocks and bits make them pleasant rifles and they are still Lithgows afterall. I can find no fault with them (I own two of these myself) and would recommend them with proper inspection and if you find them at an acceptable price.

Some complained the stocks didn't have the copper or brass recoil inserts screwed into the stock at the rear, so you might want to add these if you buy the rifle. It seems a wise choice if you feel the recoil might otherwise split the wood. Mine have never been fired and likely never will be, so I don't know as I will do that mod for mine.