Lithgow SMLE 41 and 44 - need some help

[ab212amisar]

Hello,
this is my first post, I hope not to break rules and, please, forgive my english.

I would like to buy a Lithgow SMLE and I managed to find two of them, may I have an advice please:

1. the first is a "MA LITHGOW SMLE III* 1941", you can see it at the following address:

Armiusate.it :: Lazio : Fucili a canna rigata : Enfield m.a. lithgow smle iii 1941 .303 British

the vendor said nearly all the pieces are marked MA 41, the rear sight MA 40 and the barrel 41 (in new condition) with HV and SC, the woods are MA 41 and you may see the same SN on all the correct places plus the buttstock, the problem is ... it is also marked JJ NY on the clip guide ... the famous Jovino import.
I saw many "new" JJ but nearly all of them seem different from this one ... could this be one of the few "good" SMLE offered by Jovino? or do you believe I should pass on it?
I know the price, even with bayonet, is mad, but this is the market in Italy

2. the second one is a "MA LITHGOW SMLE III* 1944", you can see it at the following address:

Armeria G.B. - armi dal 1945 - Articolo Lithgow smle 3* cal.303br anno 1944

it seems to have all the same SN (a "F" or "E" two cyphers one), correct markings on butt stock, brass outer band and so on ...
The price is even higher without bayonet

of course I like the first one due to the date, its conditions and its lower price, but I believe it is a kind of minefield, unless someone said it could be one of the "good" Jovino with some good points ... about the second, I will ask more details to the shop.
I thank you in advance
Dario

Information

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[3mctoledo]

I collect Enfield and favor Lithgow. The 2 general thoughts are "collection grade" and "shooters". (Sometimes you can get both)
I am more the shooter than collector type. But I am on my way to owning one Lithgow from each year as a goal (Maybe not a 1914 but...).
First production numbers.
Lithgow manufacture numbers for these years are (Borrowed data so be warned):
1940-41 35,140
1941-42 82,098
1942-43 138,700
1943-44 116,200
1944-45 38,310
That will give you at least a rarity factor.

I own both JJNY and Non-JJNY Enfields. My 1927 Lithgow's are a good example. One is JJNY and shoots very well. It is an original military weapon. Meaning some mixed parts and not all from Lithgow 1927. It's serial numbers do match.
The other is not a JJNY and shoots like garbage. Getting rid of that one.

I own some Enfields that JJNY put together and they shoot great.

So just ensure you check them both over well. Both look good from the pictures.

If you want a collector. Make sure they are numbers matching which I cannot tell from the picture. This may require some minor dis-assembly.

If you want a shooter then make sure the barrel is good and head-spaced correctly.

Maybe one has both and you get a solid shooting / collector Enfield.

Personal if I were buying I would take the one with bayonet (All things equal). Seems like a better deal if you can call 700-750 Euros a deal.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

The 1941 looks authentic to me. Jovino parts guns that I've seen do not have markings on the buttstock. You could ask the seller if the "batching" numbers on the bolt and receiver match-these were applied at the factory.
Attachment 45533

[ab212amisar]

Thank you very much,
Usually I try to find a "collection grade" shooter :-) and. paying attention, I frequently managed to obtain both ... not always of course!
I like the 41 too as I do not believe it is an assembled one, It has many nice touches like the SN with serif letters on the stock, correct manufactured wood for 41 (all of them MA), all the numbers matching (thanks Steve, I'll check the assembly numbers) and so on ...
3mctoledo, I hope to find a good shooter also, this is not a deal ... not at all ... but the prices in Italy are higher, even the Italian Navy recently sell more than 20.000 enfields!