Pics of my Lithgow

Bought this rifle at a gunshow approximately 15 yrs. ago for less than $100 US. Did a quick cleaning, fired once and put away. Just dug it out and discovered than it appears than all numbers match. It is a 1921 Mk III* all numbers matching that I can see without a breakdown. I will break it down later and post any updates.

The stock appears to have no markings. Very nice tigerstripe on the buttstock. Appears to be an arsenal repair on the rear handguard and all wood seems to match. The stock disc has no markings.

The magazine has another number X'd out and the correct serial number stamped.

I plan to clean it up and take it to the range soon.

Can anyone shed any light as to what I have? Does this finish appear to be original?

Thanks for any replies.

daveboy

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Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

Nice rifle, probably sell for $500 if you put on an auction site, 1921 was a low production year so you did well to get it.
It appears to be the 1921 original wood, in ww2 most aussie enfields seem to get new ww2 dated wood with large markings, you have none of those, even better.
Now go shoot it and have even more fun.

For once we get to see a nice Century Arms International No1 Mk3 rifle.

For sure not a parts gun, nice example of what is a low production era for that model and manufacturer.

Thanks for the pictures.
A hundred smackeroos you should be ashamed of your self (joke) Good price on the gun even back then I think considering the year, mfg, condition etc.

Have you slugged the bore if so what does it measure.

When you take the wood off it will be intersting to see if the barrel has been replaced moct have and that does not lower the value or collectability in my eyes. It merely talls the tale of a battle rifle that was used lots for some serious work and had a new barrel put on.

It would not surprise me if the barrel date was 43 or 44. Lots were refurbished in this time frame after many battles and lots of abuse/work.

What is the date stamp on the barrel knox form 21 or 43-44 or what other date?

Let us know we are interested.
Regards
Terry in Victoria

Well, I'm beginning to think that I definitely got my money's worth with this rifle:). Just pulled it apart after getting off work today and wanted to share what I found.

Looks to me like this is a pretty original rifle. Noticed the rifle s/n stamped in the barrel. Didn't know if this was something they did when rebarreling or not but I don't think they would. Also, when looking closely I noticed what looks like a small date, "3/5/21". This would coincide with the date of rifle manufacture. I chalked the date to make it more visible in the photos and it is in picture 2.

There are also a couple of markings inside the stock, will post them later.

daveboy
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Daveboy, that's quite a nice rifle you found there, you lucky man.

Lou

They did number rebarrels, but yours certainly doesn't appear to be one. Both the date and the appearance of the stamping of the number on the barrel sure makes it look like the original to me. The barrel's date would be 3 '21, the middle figure being an apostrophe rather than a 5.

Beautiful rifle.

Hi Daveboy, The woodwork on your rifle is Queensland Maple, correct for the period, and the nicest patterned to go on any SMLE`s made. It is soft and prone to damage, so you are lucky to have a full set on your gun.
Stuart.

Nice wood strengthening peg patching on the lower handguard. REAL Bandiana trained RAEME armourers work there!

Beauty rifle! I've a similar rifle dated 1922, but the linseed oil has oxidized over the years to a much darker colour. Has it a windage adjustable rear sight?
I do believe the nose cap #'s have been restamped as they are of a differing font, but so what... its lovely

Thanks for all your replies.

No, it does not have a windage adjustable rear sight.

I cleaned up the stock a bit and reoiled it and it looks much better now. Took it to the range today and fired it for the first time. Problem-will not extract cases. The extractor spring was missing. No problem thinks I, as I have an Ishapore for parts. I got the spring out of the Ishapore with no problem, but when installing into my bolthead it does not appear to go in all the way. The outer leg of the spring has a protusion that should snap into the hold on the bolthead. It lines up okay, but does not snap into it. It appears that the other (inside) leg of the spring is not going in completely. I thought it was okay, but when I just now tried to chamber a round the bolt would not close on it. Closes okay with no round, but it appears that with a round in there it pushed the extractor against the barrel and the spring is preventing it from fitting correctly.

Anyway, I am pretty handy with my hands and tools, but I can't figure out what I am doing wrong here. Is this a common problem? Can anyone steer me?

Thanks for any replies. If necessary, will post on the gunsmith forum.

daveboy

Any chance of a close up photo?, check to see if there are any remaining pieces of old spring or debris in there, apart from that do a close inspection of the ishapore bolt head if you still have it and check for minor sizing differences.

Wouldn't be the first time I've used the bench grinder to slightly modify spring steel either, but be careful.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Nice wood strengthening peg patching on the lower handguard. REAL Bandiana trained RAEME armourers work there!

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Pity it isn't still being taught! Not much call for woodworking expertise these days. Mag58 butts and Charlie Gutsache grips are about it... hang on, still the occasional wombat gun around too.

Gotta appreciate the art! I'm afraid it's all but lost. Look after her well, daveboy, she's a treasure.

There's a blast from the past Son.....WOMBATS. Do you mean the 120mm anti tank Wombat? Woweeeeee. My bread and butter for ages. Our GPMG/Mag58/L7A2's are now all plastic woodwork... if you see what I mean!

Do you still have M8C spotting rifles fitted to the Bats?

I didn't even know there was an "official" wombat. No, the woodwork is on the M79 grenade launchers, effectionately (?) called the wombat gun. Almost all the GPMG's here still have wooden butts, but they aren't repaired either.

Installed a new extractor spring today. Seems to work fine now. Can't wait to fire it again and this time do some accuracy testing.

daveboy