1914 SMLE Lithgow

Hi

I have just purchased 3 Lithgow SMLE's from the Italian Navy.. They are a 1914, 1918 and 1919 No1 Mk111. These rifles have been in storage since the end of ww2 and were opened from storage crates. the 1919 and 1918 are as they left the factory with all original markings and hardware. the 1914 still has its original windage and cut off, marking disc, looks like it may have been refurbed during ww2.
What sort of monetary value would these rifles fetch, considering the rarity of the Lithgow 1914 and all original 1919/ 1918 in queensland maple.

Attached is some photos for the troops to look at, My eyeballs nearly popped out when I found the 1914, it looks like it was pressed into brit service? feedback is welcomed.

cheers

JB303

Very, very nice. I didn't realise that the ex-Italian rifles were available in Australia.

The 1914 Lithgow isn't unusual to have British service, as Australia sent many (I've read it was all but ten thousand) of its SMLEs to Britain at the start of the First World War. So, early Aussie-made SMLEs aren't too common in Australia. I have a 1914 Lithgow bayonet which has British marks.

Lovely rifles, I'd buy them in a heart beat.

Cheers,
Matt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jollygreenslugg

Very, very nice. I didn't realise that the ex-Italian rifles were available in Australia.

The 1914 Lithgow isn't unusual to have British service, as Australia sent many (I've read it was all but ten thousand) of its SMLEs to Britain at the start of the First World War. So, early Aussie-made SMLEs aren't too common in Australia. I have a 1914 Lithgow bayonet which has British marks.

Lovely rifles, I'd buy them in a heart beat.

Cheers,
Matt

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Hi Matt,

Thanks for that info , I wish i had a sniper collection like yours.. I found this place called Euroarms in Italy whilst on holiday and visitng a friend and he showed me his no 4 lee enfield and said that he saw some aussie rifles at Euroarms. I just about had a heart attack when they opened the crate and needed a towel to wipe the saliva from my chin..It was like they were just forgoten for decades and these were the last of the crates to come of the ships. Apparently they were stored on the larger destroyers as the ships arsenal, go figure, hey, they were then removed , greased up and placed in storage at a government warehouse where they were forgotten for nearly half a century +.

I would dearly like to know what sort of monetary value the 1914 would fetch. these rifles will be sold eventually, just dont know which one to keep, too many enfields in th gunsafe and the missus wants a new kitchen.

cheers

John

I don't speak definitively on the topic at all, but I watch the regular sites and buy a lot here and there and I think if it were mine and the barrel condition was excellent I'd be thinking in the region of $1000. If the barrel is a sewer pipe mabe $500-700. You might get more but I doubt it.

In Australia, the 1914 would easily sell for a grand. I'd happily pay $1500 and then some for it, and I'd have no doubt that there'd be plenty of folks who'd pay more.

The 1918 and 1919 would probably move quickly at something approaching a grand. It's hard to say as I'm only going on what I've seen on the more well-known Aussie sites.

A few of the other Aussies who have bought and sold lately may have a better idea. I may be conservative in my estimates. I certainly don't want to underestimate what the value is.

Cheers,
Matt

the bolts wrong on the '14

The Italians stored the rifles and the bolts separated, so they never got paired back together.
We can't get these in the USofA from this company. It's a shame, they have some really nice rifles. As you stated, lost in time.
Nice find, mate! That 1914 would be the envy of any SMLE collector. :clap:

Euroarms Italia

If your Italian is up to standard there are a lot of Enfields to drool over, or buy, on this website.

Paul
:thup:

You can sign up for an email every time they do a release.

Ah, I didn't notice the bolt; I was too busy drooling at the fact that it's a 1914 Lithgow.

Non-matching bolts lower the resale somewhat, but it's still a 1914 Lithgow. I paid a grand for a 1915 Lithgow Marksman rifle, and was happy to do so. Maybe I paid too much; I think I paid too soon. Whenever I open the case and see the Lithgow volley-sight dial and pointer, I'm glad.

Cheers,
Matt

Guys,

The bolt is matching..the cocking piece is has been changed ONLY.. Its matching, all matching barrel, receiver, bolt, etc,..The cocking piece was probably changed whilst in service with the brits.

cheers

JB303

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thanks---------- Post added at 05:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:36 PM ----------

thanks,

thanks
cheers
jb

JB, I just mentioned it had the wrong bolt....ok, to be more precise a more modern cocking piece than it should have. I don't think you'd previously mentioned or taken any photos of matching serials. I also recall that euroarms store all the bolts separately. In anycase I'm glad for you (and the rifle) that it has it's original bolt. I'm sure you will get an excellent price for it.....having said that, if I was to have come across it in the manner you mention, there would be zero chance of me ever parting with it, somethings money can't buy.

Q1. Should the 1914 not have a volley sight.
Q2. The later model fore end it is fitted with has Aussie brass rod fitted. This is more like a later than ww1 FTR even with the cutoff.

Yes you are 100% correct, i was just lucky to get these three rifles with the correct bolts, i think i will keep it and maybe sell the 1918 and 1919. sorry to be a little gruff, but i have had a few knuckle heads annoying me. Thanks for the feedback.

jb303

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bindi2

Q1. Should the 1914 not have a volley sight.
Q2. The later model fore end it is fitted with has Aussie brass rod fitted. This is more like a later than ww1 FTR even with the cutoff.

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I wish it had its original wood, but alas the brits refurbed it sometime during or after the wars, fortunately it has its original cut - off and windage, (star marked) I will post more photos of it when it gets to sydney and give it a good clean.
thanks for feedback

What do Euroarms charge for their rifles?

1914 with correct bolt but later wood. A couple of grand.

Cheers,
Matt

Hi Matt,

Mate Euroarms won't sell you the rifle, you have to go through a dealer like forbes wholesale down in VIC, each rifle was close to a $1000 delivered and it took roughly 5 months wait.

cheers
John:cheers: