1923 lithgow, to clean or not to clean?

[BushyFromOz]

Hi guys.

First time poster, long time lurker...

I have a 1923 Lithgow MkIII* but with the magazine cutoff, every serial number on it matches with the only thing missing being the stacking swivel. The metal is ok, probably 40-50% of the bluing with some light surface rist on the nose cap, but the wood work isn't overly fantastic, its had a bit rough storage and the dings are black where the cosmoline has soaked into the wood.

My question is, is there a way to get the cosmoline out of the wood so the dings can be steamed out? or should it just be left alone

Ill get some pics up in the next day or so.

Cheers

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Claven2]

It's probably not cosmolene. If Lithgow wood, it tends to bruise dark, probably a function of the creosote in the stock which was put there on purpose at build. I would suggest you post a picture or two so we can better provide advice.

[BushyFromOz]

Sorry, im working on the pics, i cant find where the missus put the cable for the camera!

[BushyFromOz]

theres a few pics in 5 megapixel so you can zoom in. Rather than clog milsurps page with it, you can check her out here >>>

Lithgow No1 MkIII SMLE 1923 pictures by bushyfromoz1 - Photobucket

[Mohawk]

Nice looking piece. I would not mess with it at all. Whatever marks, dings, paint, it may have..It earned them all and add to it's historical value....Love the Lithgows...

[jmoore]

Leave it be! Looks like a nice rifle as is. Mohawk's spot on.

[Son]

Leave it be! Looks like a nice rifle as is. Mohawk's spot on.

Welcome to Milsurps-

I'm with everyone else here. Probably be right not to touch it.
Were you aware that 1923 was one of the lower production years? There were only around 2000 rifles made that year- rare to find one that has survived, rarer still to have one that looks to be all original without having had an FTR or even obvious replacement parts!
It is a treasure the way it is... congrats on a great piece!

Now- down to business... I was lucky enough to find a 1923 last year, but mine was sportered and shot out. It has been restored (refitted would probably be a better term) with correct period parts- it too hadn't been FTR'd. The serial on mine is only 220 after yours. It has the original barrel in it, which is dated 10/ '24. The receiver was cut for the magazine cut off, but being a MkIII* it wasn't fitted with one. The receivers were dated when they were made. They were not necessarily assembled into rifles straight away, as the prod date on my barrel confirms. I was wondering what the barrel date on yours was? One more thing, I see yours has been coated with the green protective paint under the woodline. This was a feature of mid WW2 production and FTR's but could have been done at a lower level as well. Does it have any WW2 dated marks to say it has had work done?

[BushyFromOz]

Theres a whole bunch of stampings on the barrel knox that i cant make out because its filled with green paint.

I inadvertantly told a little lie in the OP, as its not the original bolt, the bolt on it is prefixed with a D, so its a mid 40's bolt if i remember correctly. the replacement bolt has had the recievers serial number stamped on it, and the bolts original number stamped into the reciever, so i assume its been FTR'd at some stage

I've got a 1917 Lithgow in the works that has its matching bolt and nose cap, and has been fitted with a H barrel that the previous owner had fitted brand new in the 70's. He took it out to the range once, liked target shooting so much he put the smelly in the cupboard and ran out to buy a model 44 the next day. Upshot is the H barrel has only seen 40 rounds or so. trying to find parts for that smelly is proving to be a headache. Ive got the correct rear sight protector but finding a backsight with the windage is proving to be a headache.

---------- Post added at 06:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:38 PM ----------

As a side note, the rifle looks a whole lot scungier (is that even a word) than the photo's show, but if the learned people here say leave it, ill leave it

[Lithy]

The D prefix number under the bolt handle and on the flat of the action is the assembly number applied during maufacture to keep the bolt body and action together during the manufacturing process. The serial number wasn't applied until the barrel was fitted and the rifle proofed.

In short, your bolt is original.

Here are some pics I had on hand.

[BushyFromOz]

God god! I had no idea, for some reason i thought the actions were serial numbered and then then bolt/barrel matched to the action!