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Hey guys,
I just put a basically brand new Lithgow smle on layaway at my LGS for what seems to be a great deal. It's serial # F 599, so it seems to be of 44 production. I will try to figure out how to upload a pic or two I took of it. Does anyone have any information on these rifles? It has the lithgow factory rebuild tag on it, has a blonde colored stock, finish is 95% from what I can see so far, still has Cosmo on it. Any info is appreciated
Thanks!
What kind of information are you looking for? it is likely and Arsenal refurbished rifle that sounds like in pretty good shape. Not sure what you consider a good deal but one in that condition I would say is in the high hundreds. Photos will help quite a bit. Sounds like a potentially very exciting rifle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rtf2lover17
Unfortunately I didn't know where to locate import markings at the time, so I wasn't able to confirm it had them or not. Although I trust the shop owner who sold it to me. I can't find how to upload pictures? I didn't take very good detailed ones, will have to look at it again when I pay my next payment..
Anyway, is it possible for this rifle to be in this good of condition without being a jj co from NY or similar importer? It has an unfinished, very blonde stock that has factory stamps from what I can tell.
Also, it had the tags on it. It was a yellowish card that from what I understand is the Lithgow factory tag, it just says Lee Enfield 303 British and has the "reasenaled" box checked next to the "unissued" box.
I know my info is spotty but if someone has seen something like this, it would be helpful
Not all JJCo were "parts kits." The hang tag, if original from the arsenal would tell a lot. Should be all matching (possibly force matched). Likely to have FTR and MA/## for rebuild date. Just generic info from me really. Import stamps tend to be on rear side of receiver, often faint for earlier imports, newer imports gave the more obnoxious "billboards", but it could be a Pre-import stamp arrival as well. Again, when you figure out photos it will help.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rtf2lover17
Can't resize a picture small enough on the uploader to do it any justice...
Like I said I'll look at it more when I go back for another payment, and take more pictures that can maybe be uploaded.
What did you mean by FTR and MA/ numbers? Sorry just am new to these
FTR means "Factory Through Repair" the stamp put on arsenal refurbished rifles. MA is the code for Lithgow and the two numbers would be the year of rebuild, for example mine is MA/50 Meaning my 1944 rifle was rebuilt by Lithgow in 1950.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rtf2lover17
https://www.milsurps.com/vbpgimage.p...3&d=1522701045
---------- Post added at 03:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:32 PM ----------
This is a screenshot of the tag that is on the rifle from an old online auction. Same one is strung to the muzzle with a firearms warning tag. Looks like it's never been removed to me because it's old twine tied in a knot
Hmm...doesnt look like an arsenal tag (though I'm not super famiar with Lithgow documentation) but it feels like it is an importer tag of some sort.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rtf2lover17
Quote:
Originally Posted by artyldr01
Yeah it looks a little corny for an arsenal tag, but did mention is an reasenaled, or arsenal refurbished, can't remember exactly what it was.
I guess my concerns with it are is I'm just afraid of getting a POS rifle that looks good.
I figured either import marks or not as long as it shoots good and holds it's value is all I'm concerned about.
I've heard bad things about certain importers, and I'm just not familiar with any Enfield importers.
I've only ever bought us milsurp and knew how to avoid them with those.
I was a late comer to foreign milsurp too, but I've rarely seen anything I'd call a "dog" in the Enfield world, though I'm sure they exist. They are my favorite milsurp and I suspect you'll be very happy. Feel free to PM me and I can give you me email to share photos. I sometimes struggle posting pics on forums too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rtf2lover17
Here are a few photos of the markings on mine. I forgot to get a photo of the nosecap but it should match too.
I didn't read all of the markings to be honest but serial number is f599, so know it's 44 production. The biggest thing that concerns me is the stock. It's an unfinished blonde color. I've always seen Enfields with stocks more like yours. Ofcourse I'm sure linseed oil makes a difference, just not sure if the Aussies put this stock on and for some reason didn't oil it or if an importer may have put a reproduction stock on, not sure. It did have markings that seemed to be authentic to the rifle. But my memory is all that serves me with it
Australian wood can be blonde, there are a couple different types used, Coachwood being common. Just Google your rifle, you will see some blonde-ish stocks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rtf2lover17
So went back to the gun shop today, I decided to take it off layaway, although an authentic ww2 serial number, looked like a parts gun and just don't wanna deal with that. So the owner let me trade it for one out of his personal collection in his office. This is what I'm looking for! Serial # "C 72820". Looks much more original with the buttstock markings and everything, better bore than the Lithgow rebuild. Again can't upload any photos, but do you know the production date of this rifle? Is it another Lithgow or is this on a British rifle? Can't find any serial # info on British smle's from ww2Quote:
Originally Posted by artyldr01
I don't believe anyone but Lithgow, or Ishapore made the "SMLE" in WW2. If it is a Lithgow, C serial numbers are 1941. Ishapore's are harder to mail down since it may be built on an older British receiver.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rtf2lover17
It is most certainly a Lithgow after some research. All the markings are where and what they are supposed to be, i haven't checked all the numbers yet but I didn't see any signs of it being tampered with other than by the Australian military.Quote:
Originally Posted by artyldr01
you need some close ups.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../ytr4hAj-1.jpg
BSA made The No1 Mk3* well into WW2 44 or 45.Quote:
Originally Posted by artyldr01
I was shooting from the hip, thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bindi2
Production dates for the MKIII at L.S.A.F;
00001 to 99999 (1913 – 1918)
Manufactured Lithgow SAF A00001 to A99999 (1918 – 1920s)
Manufactured Lithgow SAF B00001 to B99999 (1920s – 1941)
Manufactured Lithgow SAF C00001 to C99999 (1941)
Manufactured Lithgow SAF D00001 to D99999 (1941 – 1942)
Some manufactured in Orange SAF-3 E00001 to E99999 (1942 – 1944)
Manufactured Orange SAF-3 F00001 to F39580 (1944 – 1945)
Manufactured Orange SAF-3 F39581 to F40580 (1953) Manufactured Lithgow SAF (machinery trials)