SMLE No.3 Magazine questions

Hi Everyone,

I have some questions about No.3 magazines that I would like to put to members of the forum that are more knowledgable than I.

I have just bought a No.3 magazine. It has what I believe to be a No.2 magazine case that was converted to a No.3 case. The 3 stamped into the base of the magazine appears to be stamped over a 2.

The magazine platform is the correct No.2 platform. It is marked 2 with a Lithgow star.

There is a 2 over a O stamped under the follower removal lip. Aside from the 3 on the auxiliary spring there are no other markings I can find. Though I have yet to clean the magazine so others may come to light.

My questions are:

Does anyone have the list of changes entry handy for the No.3 magazine as I'd like to know the exact date of the change?

Was the first type of magazine produced at Lithgow the No.3 magazine?

If my magazine indeed has a No.2 case that was converted to No.3 case, would this indicate that the case was produced in Great Britain and possibly converted to a No.3 magazine in Australia as evidenced by the Lithgow No.2 platform?

On a related issue. Does anyone know when Australia started making MKVII ammunition? I have First World War dated ammunition but it is CAC MkVI.

I assume that a No.3 magazine will successfully feed MkVI ammunition as well as the MKVII ammunition is was designed for?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately I don't have the answers to your questions.

Attached is a couple of photos of my No 2 Lithgow magazine next to a magazine converted to No 3 spechttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9e4a5297-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...32fe3c6a-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...b66e0e1b-1.jpg

Thanks so much for posting these pics.

They help a great deal.

I now know that Lithgow made No.2 magazines. Is there a Lithgow star anywhere else on the No.2 case?

Does the No.3 case have a Lithgow star anywhere on it? It would appear that the Lithgow star was in the exact place that was modified during the conversion from No.2 to No.3 case. That would explain why my case has no markings.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ufo8mydog

Unfortunately I don't have the answers to your questions.

Attached is a couple of photos of my No 2 Lithgow magazine next to a magazine converted to No 3 spechttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9e4a5297-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...32fe3c6a-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...b66e0e1b-1.jpg

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CAC Mk VI ammunition ceased production at the Footscray factory in January 1918
CAC Mk VII ammunition commenced production at the Footscray factory in February 1918.
MF Mk VII ball and blank ammunition ceased regular production in 1960, however, a special order for 303 ball for the cadets was manufactured in 1962. After 1962 303 Mk VII Ball was imported (Kynoch ICI, then Indian Mk VII from Kirkee Ammunition Factory). The Indian ammunition was repacked at the Footscray factory in the late 60's and early 70's.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LNM

Thanks so much for posting these pics.

They help a great deal.

I now know that Lithgow made No.2 magazines. Is there a Lithgow star anywhere else on the No.2 case?

Does the No.3 case have a Lithgow star anywhere on it? It would appear that the Lithgow star was in the exact place that was modified during the conversion from No.2 to No.3 case. That would explain why my case has no markings.

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On the No 3 case there is no Lithgow markings on it.



---------- Post added at 03:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:43 PM ----------

My No 2 magazine has a small 4.

My No 3 magazine looks like it has a number one.https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...76c4aef4-1.jpg

Credit to Demo for these photos of his No 2 Lithgow magazine. https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ce08ba65-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2010d758-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...33e6e893-1.jpg