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After a long long process, I got my rifle. Full matching serial numbers and never modified. Interesting butt markings. It's got 12 ALH and CMF over T. Stoked with it as the 12th Australian Light Horse were at Galipolli and was involved in the charge at Beersheba. Such a beautiful rifle. Now to just sporterise it, put a scope and a poly butt on it......haha. Funny enough is I saw a 1907 Lithgow that had that done in 2008...I almost cried.
I also have to add it was last FTR'd in Lithgow in 1913.
Just a couple of items that are a bit out, your barrel protrusion......bit short
Attachment 56248
and the volley sight plate screw head is proud instead of flush.
You are kidding RIGHT ?.................Quote:
Originally Posted by muffett.2008
The screw is slightly out as I took all the furniture off the rifle today to have a look inside it. Its flush NOW. The barrel potrusion is not so flush as thefront of the lower hand guard furniture is slightly ill fitting at the fron. The butt is original to the rifle I definitely know.
Beautiful rifle - best looking of all of the SMLE's (in my humble opinion)
I too think these particular rifles resemble art. Very well made and nicely fitted from a time when craftsmen were handling them.
Very nice rifle, it is not easy to find a Mk I like that. I admit my heart did skip a bit when you mentioned the sporterising at first :lol: You said the front handguard was a bit ill-fitting. Does the nosecap allow normal barrel protrusion if you have the front handguard removed? Also, I can't tell from the pictures but is that a Mk I handguard or is it the later Mk III handguard? They are a bit different.
I don't know enough about these to say anything except that I like it, but I do appreciate a sharp eye! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by muffett.2008
Hey Mattyboy,Beautiful rifle you have there.Looks to be in very nice condition considering its 110 yrs old. I have a 1904 Mk1 also with the CMF over T tho mine has timber not as nice as yours.any chance of getting better pics of the markings ?will you be shooting it ?
Hey mate, yes I will take another pic of it. Hopefully it will come out a lot clearer. The front furniture is a newer replacement. Still a MK 1 set I believe. The fitting of the the furniture is slightly tight at the front hence the barrel doesnt potrude fully but when I gave it a slight tapping, its now proper.
Heres some closer pics of the butt markings
Thanks Matt, your pics remind me of those old Dorris Day shows ,looks like vasaline wiped over the lens ! Great markings,The ALH just tops it off for me. A very special rifle.Thanks for posting it
Not a worry! My camera lens is pretty scratched. When I head to tassie in next few weeks ill grab my proper camera off my parents and send a bunch of clearer ones
Yes I noticed the barrel protrusion looked short as well and sometimes this can be an indicator that there is s problem with the forend. What did you do to correct it? I didn't quite follow what you meant in this post.Quote:
Originally Posted by mattyboy82
The forend barrel protrusion is just a matter of the stock sizing inconsistencies in mfg process. It should not be considered an error.
My sentiments exactly. Maybe that is why I keep being so drawn back to Mk I's and why my ears perk up everytime there is a post on the topic. So well made and the bolt head charger guide is just so different but clever.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle