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Canada, unlike Australia, took home some of the rifles it had actually used in the trenches of WW1.

By late 1919, 67,000 SMLEs returned to Canada with the elements of the CEF heading home.

By...

Whilst that specific model, Pattern 14 No.3 T, wasn't used by the AIF in WW1, the Pattern 1914 rifle was. The AIF used rifles with the fine sight (Winchester) and these were referred to as 'Sniper...

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"Very nice rackful. Wish I was c loser to be able to examine a couple..."

Let us know if you want close up photos of some of them.

They’re 1124 and 1615. I’ve shot one of the 1913s but the other one is being restored. Bought it for bugger from Canada last year and it was a sporter. I also have 3 1915s and 2 1916s. Missed out on...

Thought I'd add in a couple of photos of some of the SMLEs I have in my collection at the moment.

The picture of the 5 rifles are my 'ex-AIF' (Australian Imperial Force) rifles. Two 1913...

Yep it was the AIF (deployed for overseas), AMF for the permanent forces based within Australia for the Defence of Australia and the VDC.

But my reference to forces coming back from overseas and...

I think you might be confused with what I was referring to Bindi.

When I was referring to the AIF divisions returning back to Australia and using the No.4 rifle alongside No.1s, that’s the...

Martinis of various calibres, Long Lees, SMLE Mk.1s, SMLE No.1 Mk.IIIs and even old civilian rifles, shotguns and Hotchkiss's. What an eclectic array of firearms indeed. I have a pic of a soldier...

The other interesting point I note about Australia sending rifles to Britain AFTER Dunkirk is....it's not borne out by ordnance or other records.

I do make note of rifles being sent BEFORE the...

No it’s not ultra rare as such. Being Australian myself I think it’s a remarkable piece of history. It may not have been sent to China to go fight the Japanese but it most likely was used overseas...

The Chinese symbols you ask of are actually small stars with a small ‘A’ inside them. These are Lithgow Small Arms Factory inspection stamps and you will find they’re numbered from 1 to 10. Each...

It's one of the 101,000 rifles sent out in 1919-1921 under the 'Imperial Ordnance Program'. These were sent out to replace rifles that Australia had used in WW1.

I note some little inaccuracies in...

Good point about always adding knowledge. I've had a few chats with Skenny and I'll be catching up with him this week. I told him about a 1914 Lithgow I have with a rarely seen Canadian sold out of...

The stock disc is marked the the 2nd Battalion, Royal Montreal Regt - B COY.

The single letter above the issuing date on Canadian marked rifles denotes what city and NOT what base. The 2nd Bn RMR...

By 30 June 1914, Australia had 5741 Mk.1 SMLEs and all of 1904 year manufacture. I have never read anywhere that some were of tulipwood. I've certainly never seen any examples of them on Mk.1s...

That's a beautiful rifle you have! And a nice 4MD example too! Most of the 1915 Lithgows went to 2 MD and 3 MD. Most of the 1915 Lithgows that we see are from serial number 24XXX and upwards. If you...

Thanks mate!

Great data you have there. I would be guessing that Giles rifle would have been sighted for MK VII in order for it to have used ammunition from the brit supply chain.

I would love...

Wonderful info about the use of Mk VI ammo in the Gallipoli campaign. Thankyou! One point of contention I think I might add to. "Australia stopped providing troops with rifles for overseas service...

1'41 mate.

Hey Muffet, add into your list;

1913 Lithgow s/n 1124.
Barrel - 1941
Full original wood and volley sights.
Early Australian WW1 era markings then English proofs and then back to Australia in...

Mate, add in a 1914 Lithow #4021. Its barrel date is also 1914. Cheers,

The 1916 Lithgow #38345 has a 2' 42 Barrel on it and the 1916 Lithgow #54021 has a 9' 44 barrel on it.

Its on the receiver above the serial number. Thinking its been in serice in WA as two of my SMLE's have NSW on them there.

Thanks mate. The T is a little further back from sight bed. They're crappy pics but the barrel has an H on the knox too. I've been going through all my books but cannot find why the T would be there...