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SC under the HV stamp on the barrel signifies = Short Cone not sure but I think that may signify a short lede into the bores rifling from the chamber neck, happy to be corrected on this one.
Having an oiler serial No.'ed to the rifle is pretty rare, my 1921 Lithgow No.1 MkIII has it's '07 bayonet serial No.'ed to it has the 1921 Lithgow double stitched scabbard which are fairly rare.
Nice honest looking rifle, I did notice some chipping of the butts wrist from the socket PL has info on this site of the gap required there as the butts are a wedge type fitment AFAIK.
Only looking at my phone but I’m not so sure that’s coachwood, more like very dark qld maple. Hasn’t been through an FTR or refurb. What type of rear sight does it have?
Also interesting star on the nosecap, haven’t seen that before
The 1.45 on the butt will be a 'storage date'. Along with the '3.A' which from research, it appears this stands for '3rd Australian Ordnance Depot'. I have a lot more info on this period and why we often see SMLEs with mid-1944 to early 1945 stores dates.
The 2 barrel fitment dates will be for the original rifle fitment date and the 2nd one will be when that barrel was placed on your rifle. It's not unusual for it to not have the new serial number stamped on it especially as time was rather precious for Australia during 1942....
On the subject of an FTR, the wartime markings will often have an R/MA with a date to signify refurb at Lithgow and in the 1950s there was an FTR program for rifles to be used by the National Service Scheme. But there nothing to indicate an refurb or FTR on yours.
It's the hardest thing sometimes to get a handle on old furniture with all the darkness that it's acquired over the years. You almost need to pull the whole thing apart so you can look inside in a good light.
Part of the WW1 "temporary" change from lll to lll* was the deletion of the cut-off, dial sights and the "windage" rear-sight aperture / "cap"..
Some time in the mid / late 1920's, it appears that Lithgow went back to "full" lll (no star) spec. This was again reversed with the onset of the Second Great Unpleasantness.
Does it have any sign of it having spent time as a "range" rifle? Depending on the pattern and "brand" of rear-aperture base plate, Lane, Central, etc, sometimes the wood on the left rear of the fore-end was "relieved" a bit.
Also, somebody has been at the trigger-guard whilst not knowing that the trick is to remove the FRONT screw first. Otherwise, the rear screw head gets mangled, just like yours.
Last edited by Bruce_in_Oz; 06-11-2025 at 05:13 PM.
SMLE books out there other than Skennerton
PM
Originally Posted by mattyboy82
