1937 Lithgow for sale on Trade Me

Advertised on New Zealand's Trade Me site. Seller states the following;
"GREAT example.
Matching bolt.
1937 on receiver.
Cut off
Charger guide
Usual dings in wood
Pull through (rough) in butt.
2 extra hole have been drilled into left receiver for extra sights at some stage.
Good bore (see photos), but been rusty at some stage.
Estate sale."

When asked about other serial numbers on rear sight, nose cap etc, the reply was:
"All matching. 26468 under sight. Same on bayonet lug, Same on wood. Also a "1940" on wood at back of the stock on right side"

The only thing that concerns me is the two extra holes drilled into the left side of the receiver, which seem awfully close to the locking lug recess. And the fact that my request for further photos showing the holes from the inside of the receiver/bolt channel has gone unanswered.

Please feel free to offer your opinions, as I believe that 1930's dated Lithgow receivers are reasonable rare.


.303 Mk III Full Wood.1937 Lithgow. | Trade Me

I would like to import it back to Australia but Australians can't buy from it from that site?

Looks like it will go for a pretty penny!

I find the mag cutoff again on the rifle unique considering the WWI expedient but seem to remember something said they were added again at a later date, the staking of the nose cap screw is also something I have not seen before perhaps some of the experienced armourers among us will help with the info. Those holes look like they were done on a drill press and the ol' round at the muzzle is no real indication of a bores condition judging from the rust specks I can see in one pic of the rifle I would like to put my Lyman bore camera down it before I brought it. But if you wanted a filler for a rare date then guess it does not matter what the bore is like.

I may be wrong but the 2 arrows facing the S was that to denote rusty bore or just sold out of service cannot remember.

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Originally Posted by CINDERS

2 arrows facing the S

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Sold out of service.

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Originally Posted by ufo8mydog

I would like to import it back to Australia but Australians can't buy from it from that site?

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What one not enough for you?

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Originally Posted by CINDERS

I find the mag cutoff again on the rifle unique considering the WWI expedient but seem to remember something said they were added again at a later date

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The No. 1 Mk. 3* was originally intended to be a short term solution to the problem of making No. 1 Mk. 3s faster. Post war everyone (I am pretty sure everyone) went back to making No. 1 Mk. 3s again just with the magazine cut-off, no windage adjustable rear sights or volley sights. However very few were produced in the post war years as there wasn't a high demand at that point. Some No. 1 Mk. 3* rifles even had the * crossed out and a magazine cut off added.

Also don't forget that even the No. 4 Mk. 1 Trials rifles also had the magazine cut off in the design as well.

The 1937 was the last SMLE that the SAF Lithgow museum had to get to complete their collection wasnt it?

How many were made in 1937? a few hundred?

Roy

Yes that's right and right, however, whilst the action date is 1937, the final assembly into a rifle was in 1940. Therefore this rifle would be counted in the figures for 1940.

Just to update, the rifle in question has sold on Trade Me for NZ $2311.
It is one of the highest prices I have seen a No 1 Mk 3* sell for so far.

Attached are some photos of my recent addition found at a local gun shop here in NZ. It took a few weeks to complete the sale (as the gun shop owner was selling on behalf) but we finally agreed on a price yesterday and I am now the proud owner of a 1937 Lithgow.

The bore is absolutely pristine and have been exceptionally well care for, for a rifle of this vintage. Bolt is matching as is the rear sight, nose cap, etc. The rifle came with a NZ marked 1918 sanderson 07 Bayonet.

Attached are some photos. Attachment 124922Attachment 124923Attachment 124924Attachment 124925Attachment 124926Attachment 124927Attachment 124928Attachment 124929