Lithgow No1 MkIII* HT Sniper Rifle Survey

[fergs]

My sincere appologies for that, Imagine my suprise when a freind of mine who had been on a shooting and conservation trip was offered an old no1 mk111 which had a reasonable barrel on it and was still militarily configured, which he then proceeded to pay $50 for it just to keep the old farmer happy as he wanted to dispose of it. When this rifle was brought up in conversation, the curios thing was it was drilled and tapped and had a heavy barrel. Straight away the old ears pricked up and those rusty old cogs got to grinding. What would be the posibility of this being an original sniper. Upon mentioning this my freind got in contact with an aquaintance who was also a gun smith and hey presto lo and behold it was. The said pot of gold was then subsequently traded for a no1 mk111 marksman variant and a mosin nagant sniper repro.
So i suppose the moral to the story is you dont have to be rich sometimes just in the right spot at the right time.
Happy hunting
Regards
Fergs

[Son]

There's always a degree of luck involved when you score a rarity. Bushy's turn will come- let's hope he hasn't put too much coin down on therapy to take the opportunity when it does!

BTW Fergs, I'll get back to you later in the week about your rifle. Looks like I'm heading back into Hospital for a couple of days....

[BushyFromOz]

Son, i work for a government department so therapy probably couldn't hurt anyway.

On the topic of H.T's, i just saw that one went on an Australian sales website for 7 thousand bucks... not bad coin for the seller.

[fergs]

hello son any good news for me yet?
Hope your feeling better after hospital.
Regards
Fergs

[Son]

hello son any good news for me yet?
Hope your feeling better after hospital.
Regards
Fergs

Fergs, mate! Humblest apologies. The world has done a few backflips on us in the last couple of months and I haven't had the time (or the inclination) to scratch myself! I'll get off my butt and put together some info for you shortly.

Sorry again , mate.

Brad.

[fergs]

Thanks that hit the spot, Gives me a very good idea of where the old girl came from and some of her histroy. Once again thankyou for that.

Regards
Fergs

[RobD]

)Rifle serial number?
39953
2)Receiver manufacturer?
Lithgow
3)Receiver year stamp?
1916
4)Butt date stamp? (none?)
MA 9/47
5)Butt size (S, N, L) "H" stamp?
L under wrist; H stamp on top of wrist
6)Barrel date stamp?
no
7)Engraved Scope serial number?
"Rifle No 23418"
8)Scope brass eyepiece ring stamped number?
none
9)Mount ring stamped number?
1710
10)Mount base stamped number
671
11)Mount type (high or low)?
Low -
12)Nosecap ears modified for sight adjustment?
Yes
13)Kingscrew swivel fitted?
Yes
14)Preservative paint under woodwork?
No
15)Cheekpiece fitted to butt?
No
16)Comments? (anything you think needs a mention eg extra markings etc...)
scope is Patt 1918 (Aust)/1 = low mount scope - Skennerton lists this No 23418 as a high scope.

[JerryB08]

Call Unertl in Mar's PA. They are reopened under a differant owner a US Officer. Same workers. I would be FLOORED if they wouldn't be interested and I don't think they would charge that much to replicate the lenses for an authentic historical sniper rifle. GOOD LUCK!

[JerryB08]

I know this is a little off Topic. I was able to Purchase a MUEs sight no1 improved off of Ebay recently. It is in great shape for the age. When I bought it I really didn't know what it was. Any how I have done a lot of research to identify the model. The interesting thing about this sight is that it's Stamped MUES twice where it's supposed to be one on top of the other. Would that effect the value? and heck what is the value of this site. I am positive it is authentic. It's not the only thing I have with 100 year old bluing.. Thank you

[Son]

Hi, JerryB08.
If you post this in the main forum threads below you should get a few responses. There are a couple of aperture sight collectors here who can fill you in on all the details. Also mention about the lenses below, too.