1901 BSA LE 1*

As the title says I have in my possession I think, historical to Australia an LE 1*. The rifle is in good condition with an 8/10 bore and only missing you guessed it the Long Range sights.

It has a serial number of A24258 on the wrist along with it's Australian number of 4166, stamped on the barrel knox is Lithgow 4166 and the date 6/23 along with what looks like it could have been another date 1 squiggle 21 (or 1'21) could this be the proof date of the barrel as underneath is a heart with a P inside, and the Proof Shield AC over P . The barrel has numerous Lithgow Inspectors Marks and the old Lithgow Shield.

I have been through Ian's The Lee Enfield and found that 34,126 were imported to Australia in 1904 and he breaks the numbers received to the various States. If the rifles were consecutively numbered will be impossible to find which state it went to. If on the other hand the rifles were shipped and the numbers struck by the various states it could only be a choice of 2, New South Wales or Victoria from the numbers each state received.

Does anyone know how or where I could verify that the original number A24258 was in fact part of the 1904 consignment to Australia, any help gratefully received.

Dick

---------- Post added at 06:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:22 AM ----------

Yes when I get the time I will take some non professional photographs for you inquisitive lot :lol::

Dick

I too have an LE, two to be precise (One 1901 like your's and one 1902), and I'm also curious but frankly I have no idea how to answer this question, but maybe if enough people ask you might get answers. Best of luck.

I am not sure if Skennertons books could have that answer I may have to dig out Lithgow and its people to see what is in there I know there were a few sent over as a pattern prior to Lithgow production but as they started in latter in the 1900's it may not yield any info.
Will get back to you I am off to get a first pick at an military & ordnance collection of 35 years as the seller is doing it for a digger that is a bit ill and needs financial help so I may get my dream round an 88mm Tiger tank round you never know.

Lithgow were making proper Lee Enfield barrels well into the 1920s. These were mostly replacement barrels for Rifle Club members.

Because the Rifle Clubs were a functional part of the Defence Forces under the 1910 Act, they eventually changed the rules to make all "target" barrels the same length as a SMLE barrel; the SMLE being the then current "service rifle". Hence the "Range-pattern" short L. E. rifles that used to be quite common on ranges for many years. They weren't just a simple "chop-job", the L. E. nose-cap was correctly refitted to the shortened fore-end so a P-88 bayonet could be attached. Because in those heady days, the Rifle clubs still shot "Snap" and "Rapid" military matches as well as the basic "Deliberate" / "Application", many magazines were also changed to SMLE types that would function with Mk-7 ball. Many were also fitted with the BSA No9 or similar folding aperture target-style rear sight that was in vogue at the time.

The Lithgow "H" barrel: SMLE Knox form and front-sight seat dimensions, "heavy" L. E. barrel profile in between.

Cinders: You know if you get that 88 round, you're going to need a bigger loading press.

Well 250klm round trip for pretty much nought I feel for the guy who brought a deact 1944 MA No 1 MkIII for get this $1K I said the best you could do would be $450-500 at a real stretch seriously it had shelac from a - a mis matched wood with a repair near the bolt handle just stuck on no screw wire anyway poor chap he was disappointed to say the least the other stuff was way over priced. He brought it from a ex army 6 years and 30 years as a policeman chap he said he trusted the guy I sorta set him straight.
He showed me 3 non WWII 40mm Bofors and said a dealer brought it from the chap now wait for the price $900 smackers I fell over seriously $130-140 tops for each round the dealer will ask at least 1K+ he has to but thats barmy stuff.
Other gear an WWII OA 1944 07 at $350 I said tops at $250 maybe $270 but that's top dollar it was not bad but not pristine people are asking $280+ on flea bay and they are there every week unsold the markets flat guys
A N67 No.4 pig sticker for guess what $160 (my price 45-50), SLR bayonet chrome spray painted both scabb & bayonet for $350 (my price 80-90).
The kicker which I went for was the ammo he had there was a bit of 303 saw a couple of Mk VII W1's (A.P), RG, MJ, MF all WWII+ years, some blanks, some 303 on disint links, mix of other rounds, packet of 23/25 45ACP, a 40mm wombat gun cartridge case with a black rubber ball in it and empty cases I said what does he want for this bear in mind the 40mm's well he is asking $600 (*uck me I said your $hitting me) he could go down to $400 but thats all its just not worth that as my wife would have my nurries if I had paid over $180-200 for the cartridges she is pretty astute after me asking for $'s all the time.
I told him to contact me if he got more gear but not to say yes until I could get pictures sent to me.

Anyway I got a K98 bayonet the edge is really good no nicks and clean the outside will need work as will the grips I think it will clean up nicely its mismatched I have no idea of the maker of the bayonet or scabbard so could some person please enlighten me he wanted $350 I offered $250 felt a bit sorry for him he for me driving such a long way for nothing so we parted.
He had a fairly nice French 1880 sword the blade tip was rusty for 6" and blunt he wanted $450 I was tempted but know nothing about swords so passed anyway here's the bayonet;

Cinders that sounds rough mate. I reckon its alright to pass up someone charging too much, but if they don't know much or can't help but charge top dollar (Through necessity) you can never really blame them. I've payed pretty handsomely for certain parts, but for parts I have never seen anywhere else I did not at all feel ripped, just not a bargain.

Anyway, Aussie, for something like this I don't know if you can really get an answer unless there are some records stashed away that have never come to light, or maybe the person out there with the knowledge just is not here. Going back that far for any kind of info, especially in something guarded like military stock, sounds crazy and I would not know where to start. Looking at my rifle I notice it is quite bare of markings and stamps compared to my SMLE's.

After a quick treatment & electrolosis on the scabbard, any clues as to maker of both items TIA

cof = Eickhorn, cvl = WKC...both in Solingen.