Questions about Lithgow No.1 MK.III* (* cancelled) rifles dated 1918

Hi All,

My newest purchase is a Lithgow No.1 MK.III* (* cancelled) dated 1918 S/N A892*. It does not have any MD or FTR markings, only a sold out of service on the top of the receiver.

The rifle is in substantially original condition being fitted with Queensland maple furniture (No marking disk provision on the butt), with all matching numbers and the barrel is original (1918 dated).

However, it has had a long service life (loss of bluing - and a WW2 olive paint job) and a few parts have been replaced, primarily the trigger guard, rear sight wings and lower band. These are WW2 era replacements.

I have very little experience with Lithgow star cancelled rifles and I would like to ask the forum for some assistance.

Were Lithgow MkIII* (*cancelled) rifles manufactured as MkIII rifles with the cut off provision (milled and cut) and the cut off fitted and merely stamped with the newer MkIII* butt socket stamp, as Lithgow were tooling up for MkIII* production?

Or, were they made without the cut off provision as MkIII* rifles and modified after the war in the factory back to MkIII configuration and then had the * cancelled?

I would like to bring the rifle back as close as I can to its 1918 condition and I will need to replace the trigger guard and rear sight wings (I already have a star marked lower band). Would this rifle have had a trigger guard with swivel lugs and milled rear sight wings?

Skinnerton gives approximate dates of parts changes in his Australian SMLE Variations, but what do the members of the forum think?

Have you got an original configuration Lithgow No.1 MK.III* (* cancelled) dated 1918? What trigger guard and rear sight wings does your rifle have?

The nose cap of my rifle is fitted for a piling swivel

I'd really appreciate any comments and observations that forum's members may have.

Attachment 102027

Lithgow actions had the cut off slot cut up until WW2 but not in all actions. When the * is barred out the cut off was reinstalled but that was all no other MK3 mods. Leave the rifle as is that's how it left service. The parts from different FTR or FR are the rifles history changing them is BUBBA at work .DO NOT sand the butt this will remove the markings which tell the rifles life history. Remove the Butt before taking the forend off this only needs to be done if the draws need work other wise just leave the rifle alone apart from cleaning and oiling with BLO.

i hope you mean take the forend off first then the butt

probably just a typo or a brain fart. BUT

If you have never stripped the wood off a Lee Enfield...



There is a square end to the stock bolt that fits into a square groove in the back of the fore stock to hold the bolt captive preventing the bolt from unscrewing and the butt coming loose.

If you were to crank on the bolt without first removing the fore end, you would cam open the slot spreading the back of the fore stock and the wood will split.

If you take the butt stock off first, you will then need to remove the fore stock to repair it.

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Originally Posted by pisco

i hope you mean take the forend off first then the butt

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YES my mistake... Forend first.

Hey all I have multiple lithgow rifles from 1913 thru 1918 none have a star mark on them like yours , they used milled rear sight guards I believe up until 1916.the trigger guard would have a provision for a swivel to be added if needed . It’s hard to find the parts for many of the lithgows here in USA you will have to be patient with collecting them..

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Originally Posted by smerdon42

Hey all I have multiple lithgow rifles from 1913 thru 1918 none have a star mark on them like yours , they used milled rear sight guards I believe up until 1916.the trigger guard would have a provision for a swivel to be added if needed . It’s hard to find the parts for many of the lithgows here in USA you will have to be patient with collecting them..

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A 1913 Lithgow will not repeat not be as it left the factory. It has been through 2 world wars Korea and other scraps along the way, so it has had many trips in for repairs and spruce ups where the parts bin had all manufacturers parts in them. I will walk away from what appears to be a mint rifle with all the correct stamps or one missing them all together. I do own 2 1913 Lithgows one is old worn and looks tired with the original wood and stamps with * upgrades then cancelled and a cutoff plate installed the other is a FTR with new furniture stamped correctly *. The stamps are the rifles History when you know how to read them. What you have is how it left service any thing done to it apart from cleaning is BUBBA at work including sanding.

Bindi my 1913 was sporterised so I had no option and restocked it . It is a tribute rifle but it has all the original blued finish bolt sights rear hand guard and butt stock and volley sight .i had to get an original rear peep sight and nose cap ( unnumbered) but at serial number 160 I felt it had to be brought back to as close to original as possible. My 3 x 1914 all where pressed into different country service one to England in ww1 , one went to India and was ftr Ed in 1932 , and the last one was in Aussie service until after ww2 and went on to Austrian police . I agree and try to bring the rifles history to light with some correct cleaning is the best thing to do.. being an ex Aussie service guy and my family’s involvement in every action since the first boer war I am proud of my Aussie history.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smerdon42

Bindi my 1913 was sporterised so I had no option and restocked it . It is a tribute rifle but it has all the original blued finish bolt sights rear hand guard and butt stock and volley sight .i had to get an original rear peep sight and nose cap ( unnumbered) but at serial number 160 I felt it had to be brought back to as close to original as possible. My 3 x 1914 all where pressed into different country service one to England in ww1 , one went to India and was ftr Ed in 1932 , and the last one was in Aussie service until after ww2 and went on to Austrian police . I agree and try to bring the rifles history to light with some correct cleaning is the best thing to do.. being an ex Aussie service guy and my family’s involvement in every action since the first boer war I am proud of my Aussie history.

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The correct rebuild would have been to * specs which is how it would have left service. Congrats on saving the old girl and putting her skirts back on. Very Good family history. :clap::clap::beerchug: