Lithgow No.6 Mk1 Jungle Carbine 'Experimental'

[Badger]

Check the Commercial Auctions & Gossip Forum (click here). It provides coverage and feedback on some of the more interesting items that were sold at the Poulins and James Julia Auctions (March 7-11, 2008) and Poulins and James Julia Auctions October 3-7, 2008.

We were fortunate enough to have our own Roving Reporter on the ground at these auctions, to examine and handle items up close and provide his opinion and analysis on some of the more interesting pieces that sold, such as a British No. 1 MK VI SMLE, Trials No.5 .22lr, Australian Experimental Rifle No. 6 Mk I and an Enfield No.1 Mark III* (Cutaway)

It appears that the same questionable LSA 1916 SMLE MK III sniper that was sold for $4,600 U.S. at the last Poulin's auction, March 7,8,9, 2008, was offered again and sold once again for $2,050 U.S. Review the pics and collector analysis in order to draw your own conclusions. The Australian No.6 Mk1 went for $700, but there's more to that story in the pics and the analysis as well. Finally, there's also some excellent pics of the No.1 Mk1 commercial SMLE that sold for $2,100 U.S.

Posts appearing in those auction threads …

Auction Thread (Oct 2008) - No. 1 MK VI SMLE Bolt Action Rifle. Cal. 303 Brit. S# A0277 - Sold for $700 U.S.. Note: This post also has some observations and comments about authenticity by Advisory Panel Member "Lance".

Auction Thread (March 2008) - No. 6 MK I Bolt Action Carbine. Cal. 303. S# 0A44 - Sold for $6,700 U.S.. Note: This post also has some observations and comments about authenticity by Advisory Panel Member "Son".

Regards,
Doug

Information

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[lmeissner1]

G'day Doug,

Thanks for those links, mine hasn't had any modifications made to it I don't believe like the one that went for $700 and in my opinion is in better nick than the one that sold for $6,700. The bore however is probably more like the one that went for $700, poor to fair, although the boys at the gunshop reckon that can be cleaned up pretty well.

Cheers mate,

Luke.

[Son]

Just to add the obvious to those comments... The receiver which bears no serial number from the sequence, also has a "sold out of service" mark on the receiver ring. The same pic shows evidence of tool marks on the barrel knox.

[Bindi2]

As a No6 owner i would say do not sell, be mindful we are only the minders for a short time. When it is time to sell for what ever reason put it up for auction unless you want to pass it direct to another minder to keep in Australia keeping in mind they could capitilize it out immediately.

[Son]

There's always the risk of a buyer immediately selling a rifle like that to cashed- up overseas interests. Keeping that in mind, the rifle really has two distinct values- the realistic value to a collector, or even a dealer that needs to be able to on-sell with some mark-up, and the price it might reach at auction. I've been keeping a bit of a book for a few years on the prices realised by some of the "high end" stuff both at auction here and overseas and private sales that I get told about.
The last 18 months or so we have seen items like this reach a peak, and now are settling towards what most would consider to be the realistic prices. What is the difference in the market causing this? I would say that there is less "new collector/ speculator" money about for them, so the competition between those who get caught up in the whole auction hype is reduced and maybe even a little reserved in their willingness to spend. Blame the global economic situation... Just recently there were a few holy grails not reach the low end of their expected sale range (possibly they didn't actually get a bid!) and were passed in well below figures that were easily exceeded twelve months ago. Is this the end of the "crazy money" type values? maybe so... but there will always be a collectors market here, willing to pay the realistic prices and keep it in Aus>

[mike1967]

Good post Son, i fully agree with your observations. Especially the "crazy money" comment.

Cheers Michael.

[RJW NZ]

Hi Luke, just as a slight aside to the Lithgow story, in the late 80's I made a full size repro of killer Caldwells spitfire Vc and ended up speaking with the man himself to research the paint scheme. sharp as a tack and full of Darwin war stories like it happened yesterday, I believe after the war he owned womens lingere shops, which I thought was either a completely mystifying career change or completely in character for a fighter pilot. I didn't ask him to clarify, lol, had to have some respect, and some fear too, probably still throw a good right hook.

[lmeissner1]

Hah hah, womens lingerie, sounds about right for those fighter jocks! Helicopter pilots are the real deal mate, we open *****houses after flyings over. I must correct myself also, my grandfather retired as an Air Commodore not an Air Vice Marshal.

That's great that you got to meet Killer himself, nice work.

Take care mate.

[Bearclaw]

Roger, what else do you expect from an Aussie.