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Hands down, the one my Scottish Grandfather carried with him while serving with The Highland Light Infantry on the Western Front. Fought in the Battle of Loos and the Battle of the Somme. Was wounded in both of those battles, but kept coming back. His LE and his canteen saved his backside many other times !
My Lee-Enfield Holy grail?? All marks :)
But, cherry over the cake as we say here, a N°4 MKI (T): one of those who rendered us our freedom 70 ago :bow:
Lee Enfield smoke discharger. Remember Star WARS One? Used by Jawas to disable R2D2. Unfortunately da gubmint classes this as a EVIL illegal cut down rifle.
Several years ago I acquired a "project" to restore. It consisted of a pristine buttstock marked Litgow (kangaroo in the shield) and dated 1913, a receiver marked Lithgow 1913 and serial numbered 240, and a DP'ed barrel marked with Australian proofs and serial numbered 240 and dated1913.
I have a nice unissued SA barrel from the 1950s, but have procrastinated as I have not been able to find the correct forestock with the inletting for the LR volley sight. I have both pieces of an appropriate LR dial sight for this weapon...and have since acquired a really nice 1913 Lithgow bayonet and scabbard and a British leather sling dated 1914.
Maybe one of these days....
Might I suggest your rifle is worth much more with the matching barrel and without a foreend than with a South African barrel in unissued condition..... 1913 was the first year of rifle production at Lithgow. Even in it's depleted condition, it is still a very sought after collectable.Quote:
Originally Posted by Southerner
Another thing to be aware of, the barrel isn't the part that is DP'd (marked for drill purpose only) If the barrel had a problem it would have been replaced and the rifle re-issued. Almost without exception, ALL DP rifles will have a problem with the receiver that has seen it either not worth or not safe to refurbish and put back into service.
Like many other collectors here, my Holy Grail would of course be a N°4 MKI (T); even better if it was in its original transfer case. Truthfully, I'd settle for a nice No. 5 Jungle Carbine.
Thank you for your thoughts. The Lithgow Barrel has a definitive bulge in the area of the chamber and cannot be screwed in more than 75% of the way into the receiver. The receiver, however, is unmarked except for the Australian marks and serial number and two spare barrels I have thread in easily almost all the way. It was not my intent to restore it as a shooter, but as I could not get the original barrel back in without clearly ruining the receiver, I had hoped to restore it with a barrel that would at least fit. I also have a 1907 dated #1Mk III (serial #A10**) which has a headspace problem that cannot be corrected without, I think, a new bolt head. I would not shoot it, but it makes a great display piece with a 1909 bayonet and a 1914 bayonet. This rifle is marked St. Gerr. and 1/1909 on the butt stock.
Have to say, an LSA or BSA SMLE NoI MkI or MkI* in excellent condition.
Hey, (my first post).. i have a Lee Enfield with G.R.I. ISHAPORE 1923 ShtLE III on the band. (i could post pics). What a HOT shooting weapon! It groups so well with the iron sights, don't think i'd ever change. Now... the rear sight is halfway down the barrel and has a thumb release and a thumbwheel for adjustments. What kind of sight is this. It's very intricate. BTW... very nice site! Already found lotsa info for my Eddystone M1917 30.06. Thanks guys!
I got my Holy Grail a few weeks ago. A Lithgow 1915 all matching and original, very good bore, still has its original sling.
Only problem is that now everything else I see for sale just isnt good enough !
Photos here http://photobucket.com/1915