SMLE Questions

[imahoot15]

I am trying to find out some details on a Austrailian SMLE rifle. It has matching serial numbers on the bolt and reciever. Also, it has an attaching bayonet. Could someone please tell me what I have and an estimated value? Thank you.

Information

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[3mctoledo]

Though I quote some data from others work. I highly recommend investing in some good reference works like Skennerton and Stratton. They deserve to be paid for the efforts they did on the behalf of us collectors and shooters.
From Skennerton ID series 1940-1941 had a production of ~35K and 1941-1942 had a production of ~82K. Relatively high production numbers for Lithgow so they are pretty common.
The matching numbers goes beyond just what you have listed to include the forestock (sometimes buttstock), nosepiece, rear sight (underneth), magazine (sometimes) and barrel.
The buttstock appears to have been sanded. The first picture indicates a Factory Thru Repair; The "R" indicates a barrel was replaced so check the Knox form left side for a date of the barrel (should be something like 6 '44) in Jan 1945. The second picture of the buttstock is standard, MA is the factory, SMLE III* model, HV high velocity (newer ammo Mk7) and date 1942. Appears the scock is maple (Queensland).
Third and forth picture has standard Lthgow proof marks.
The fifth picture is not detailed enough but it appears the you have the right nosepiece with open ears and no stack swivel screw.
The Bayonet is pretty worn, rusted and sanded (Wilkenson). The bright spot is the the last picture has D arrow D for Australian Proofs and could have been a companion to the rifle, but not likely.
I would recommend taking it apart and cleaning well. Get it headspaced and / or having a gunsmith look it over before shooting.
Overall nice piece. Again support the authors of our reference books and this site.

[Parashooter]

It appears to be exactly what it says it is, an SMLE Mk.III* made at Australia's Lithgow arsenal during WWII and pretty well-preserved, with an appropriate but older bayonet made by Wilkinson in the UK. If I were in the market, I would pay $250 for the rifle and maybe $50 for the somewhat rusted bayonet. Others in the USA might pay more (retail) or less (wholesale).

[Badger]

Some asscoaited MKL entries ..

Australia Milsurp Knowledge Library

1944 ShtLE (Short Lee-Enfield) No.1 MkIII* Infantry Rifle

Lithgow SAF Museum Tour

Regards,
Doug

[Son]

Welcome aboard

From your pictures, the R MA /45 indicates a full factory refurb in 1945. (R= Refurbish; MA= factory code for Lithgow; 45= year) At this time any components that didn't meet standard would have been replaced, but this is still part of the rifles service history and shouldn't put you off. The barrel will probably be dated 1945. Some of the parts that would have originally been numbered to the rifle (eg nosecap and rear sight, Lithgow never numbered magazines) might have been replaced as well and not numbered as was the procedure then. I will respectfully disagree with 3mctoledo on the topic of the butt being sanded.. any marks I can make out look like the usual marks from the factory when it was made.

I would have absolute confidence in your rifle as long as the barrel is in good nick and dated to the FTR. You can have the headspace checked if you are concerned at all, but make sure the gauges used are to military spec and not the US SAAMI spec.

[imahoot15]

Thank you all for the provided information. It gives me a good place to start looking for details.