Help With Lithgow SMLE

[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.

[ufo8mydog]

So muffer were the 8th Division mostly equipped with new SMLE's before they disembarked for Singapore or was it that a shipment arrived there and troops were issued these as they arrived to the front? From memory wasn't it a bit of a scattered force before it arrived?
I would think that if they were equipped with rifles fresh off the assembly line, the majority of 1941 actions would have been MkIII no star. My thoughts are that by the time they began assembling MkIII*s, it would have been too late for these to arrive in Singapore in time for the battle and final capitulation.
Having said that, I've found that 1941 actions serial numbered between B80000 and and C20000 are quite scarce and I've always felt that these were lost somewhere. I've been on the hunt for rifles in this range for some years and find myself constantly examining serial numbers for this reason.

My 1941 is B93090 and the barrel is dated 12/41

[muffett.2008]

Without going back and reading Unit histories again, my recollections are that 2/18, 2/19 and 2/20 Bns. were short rifles during training, what they had was a mixture of Brit. and Oz, of early years. I would assume the same with other Units.
Rifle issue was taking place mid '41, these units having arrived at the start of the year.
Ammunition shortages for zeroing and practice with the new rifles was being complained about right up to the invasion by Japan.
I would expect that most of the new issued rifles would have been destined for the priority theatre, a large proportion then lost with the fiasco's in Greece and Crete.
Most of the actions returned post war were without bolts, soldiers removing and throwing them to ensure the firearm was inoperative, this helps explain the high percentage of mismatches amongst the '40-41's I have observed.

[muffett.2008]

Just a bit of an idea of what this Division was suffering Ammunition wise.
Attachment 51298Attachment 51299

[Peter Laidler]

That's an interesting doc Muffer because when I was researching the Bren I came across a user handbook written in Japanese, presumably to cater for the quantity of Brens captured in Hong Kong and Malaya/Singapore. Another report said that there was 90 million rounds of .303 ball captured/lost at the fall of Singapore and much of this was lost as it was stored at the large Base Ammunition Depot in Johore. Unfortunately, Johore is over the causeway, to the North of Singapore! Another good idea but flawed practice as the enemy invaded from the North!

Worth remembering that a million rounds will fit snugly in the rear of a Bedford lorry. Mind you, if you ain't got any Bedfords to move it your way........

[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