My Lithgow 1919 SHT.LE MKIII*

[Lithgow_1919]

Hi guys,

This was given to me by my partner for my birthday. She knew I have always wanted an Enfield and after having used my Pops years ago when I was just a kid.

She is sporterised but I'm planing on putting her back to as original condition as possible.

Let me know what you think.

Information

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[smle13]

that will be pretty easy. you need a new forestock and front handguard which are pretty easy to find. if there are drill holes from the scope then have a gunsmith fill them in and it will look like they were never there if done right. you also need a nosecap and screws. make sure you get a nosecap that DOESNT have the light holes drilled in them because this is an early Lithgow and is not correct if the nosecap has the lightholes drilled in the ears.

good luck!

[jmoore]

A nosecap w/ the sight adjusting holes would only be incorrect if he manages to locate ALL 1919 vintage furniture, which isn't hugely easy! Plus, what's the barrel date?

It is nice that it retains it's browned (blued) finish, rather than a later phosphated finish.

Looks like a good project, Lithgow_1919.

[Lithgow_1919]

Cheers guys.

There are no holes drilled for the scope mount. It's an ATI T-6 mount. When I got it it was in pretty bad shape. The stock was covered in what can be described as a floor stain. Teak or mahogany if memory serves me right. I stripped it all off to see what was underneath and got what you see today. The barrel and other hardware was in great condition. All I did was clean it up with some gun cleaning solution and as you can see came up a treat to.

All the numbers match to so there's a good start.

I want to totally reblue it and get original (if possible) wood for it. The scope will go and I have to say it shoots straight as. The bore was caked up with a grease like substance. Once cleaned it's like new or close to.

If I reblue it, do you think that will take away anything from the rifle itself?

How do I find out what the barrel date is?

[jmoore]

From what I can see-Don't reblue it!

I'd leave that finish alone.

Rebluing the rifle would finish what "Bubba" started- removing all the "goodness" of it's original configuration.

The barrel date should be just forward of the receiver ring- usually on the upper LH side, but not always. It will be like so- '19 or what ever the year the barrel was made, such as '35 or '42.

You may have to remove the fore stock to see it.

[Lithgow_1919]

Cheers for that.

I was going to reblue it to make it look new but as you said she has been throughenough with "bubba" at the helm so I'll leave her as is.

I'm onto a full wood set for herand it's off the same make and model as mine. The guy wants an arm, a leg, a kidney and my liver for it. I'm going to buy because who knows when I will come across another set. He also has a nose cap but wants a mint for it.

Does anyone know where I should start looking for a nose cap for my Lithgow 1919 SHT.LE MIII*or are they pretty much all the same? Are they easy to come across?

Any help would be much appreciated.

As you can read I'm new to the Milsurp world but not new to hunting and shooting. I've been doing that for the past 30 odd years.

[841NER]

Beautiful...heres my SMLE No1MkIII* MA 1919

[Lithgow_1919]

Beautiful...heres my SMLE No1MkIII* MA 1919

Nice, did it take you long to get it to that stage? or did you buy it like that?

[841NER]

Nice, did it take you long to get it to that stage? or did you buy it like that?

Just added the bayo and the sling. This one was bought in Brisbane at Rebel Gun Works, they have an impressive range for sale upstairs and a private collection beside that. Well worth a visit if you can get there.

[841NER]

I'm seeing $600 to $1250, a little like Mosins, most dealers seem to throw another $3-400 on it and fish.

Ian ran his eye over my rifles, I was wrapped to see he lived less than an hour away and he was good enough to give some of his time. He signed my copy of 'The Lee Enfield' too.