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A friend has a Lithgow SMLE (No 1 Mk III*) made in 1941 that is missing the magazine. The stock has beed cut down and the plan is not to restore it to original issue configuration but to leave it as is.
Will any WWI or WWII SMLE magazine fit this rifle or must I use a Lithgow produced magazine?
Regards, Steve
They should all fit but they would need minor fitting in the beginning. If it's a well used mag it may drop right in...or not. If it needs fitted because it won't latch, just touch the back spine with a file to seat. They're soft remember, so lips and bodies may need adjustment as well.
I've got several Lithgow made No1 Mk3* SMLE rifles and a bunch of spare mags. I only have the spare mags because I got them in a deal years ago that was way too good to pass up. I don't use them as interchangeable mags, just hold onto them as spares etc. Having spare parts and mags these days is almost better than money in the bank, the way the price keeps going up. The spare mags come from a mix of makers, Lithgow, English and from memory even one from India. I know a lot of people talk about having to adjust replacement mags to make them feed etc but out of the 10 or so spare mags I have, I've found I can drop them straight into any of my rifles and they work. It may just be luck or coincidence but I haven't really needed to do anything with any of them, no matter which rifle I put them in. Just make sure the mag you get is for the No1 Mk3 or Mk3* and not a No4. If it doesn't work straight up, it shouldn't take much at all to make it right. My spares aren't for sale, sorry :)
Agreed, after they've been fitted they should work. Only a new mag "Probably" won't fit first time. Used mags should be OK. As I stated, a well used mag should go in.Quote:
Originally Posted by BradJ