Help With Lithgow SMLE

[5thBatt]

Seems they changed from the 1941 to the 1942 dated actions late 1942 & in the serial range C90000 a couple of years back there were a couple of rifles in a auction that wiere in the iirc C91000 range, the lower number had a '42 dated receiver & the higher number a '41 date, one had a mismatched bolt but amazingly the bolt had the concecutive number to the other rifle.

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[Homer]

Seems they changed from the 1941 to the 1942 dated actions late 1942 & in the serial range C90000 a couple of years back there were a couple of rifles in a auction that wiere in the iirc C91000 range, the lower number had a '42 dated receiver & the higher number a '41 date, one had a mismatched bolt but amazingly the bolt had the concecutive number to the other rifle.

Yep I'd agree with that mate although I would add that there was a period of overlap where 41 and 42 dated actions were being assembled simultaneously. I've seen more than a few 1941 actions with higher serial numbers than 1942 actions and this would be consistent with all years if production I would think. I'm sure that doesn't come as a surprise to anyone.

[Son]

Seems they changed from the 1941 to the 1942 dated actions late 1942 & in the serial range C90000 a couple of years back there were a couple of rifles in a auction that wiere in the iirc C91000 range, the lower number had a '42 dated receiver & the higher number a '41 date, one had a mismatched bolt but amazingly the bolt had the concecutive number to the other rifle.

Have seen a similar thing before when a group of rifles that had been together were sold. The seller had picked them up and didn't pay attention to the bolt numbers... I wonder if that was the case here?

[5thBatt]

Have seen a similar thing before when a group of rifles that had been together were sold. The seller had picked them up and didn't pay attention to the bolt numbers... I wonder if that was the case here?

Brad, found this post from 2010, my memory was close but not accurate. Interesting snippet

"from the auction just held in NZ
Lot 1008 1942 Lithgow s/n C99247
Lot 1012 1941 Lithgow s/n C99537
Yes the lower s/n rifle has the later date but the interesting bit is
Rifle C99537 was all matching but C99247 had a mismatched bolt numbered C99538
I checked, they were from different vender's. "

I see the 1905 BSA MkIII that was a barreled action back then has just resurfaced on TradeMe
1905 Lee Enfield No 1 Mk III | Trade Me