Yet another Aussie.

[Ridolpho]

Recently picked up a 1944 WW2 Australian SMLE to go with my '21 (rebarreled in '42 and a real sweet shooter). It looked good with obvious bolt problems keeping the price down ($300.00). At home found No. 4 innards in the bolt which i've switched out for proper No. 1 parts and with some stoning on sear and trigger now works perfectly. The rifle is very similar to the example in the Knowledge Library, with similar finish and non-numbered but dated barrel shank. Forend and butt are both serialed to the rifle. The wood is in excellent condition with perfect fit to body and copper blocks with uniform contact on lugs. Bore is very good to excellent with very sharp rifling and no darkening. The bolt is not original but is a Lithgow. It has been re-numbered to this rifle. Many parts are locally sourced as with the library example but some are clearly re-cycled and I'm curious if this is typical of the time period or clearly later replacements. Specifically, the nosecap, and buttplate, are both Lithgow but not as on the library example, and the rear sight protector and hinged band don't appear to be Australian. If it shoots as well as my '21/'42 it may be a keeper. Otherwise I'll probably sell it on to help someone get a nice first SMLE at a very reasonable cost.

Lithgow

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