1926 Lithgow SMLE

[bigduke6]

Looking for any advce or ideas on the following from any Lithgow experts, thought I,d explain the story first,

I,d seen this advertised but couldnt get down to see it, I was also interested in a No4, anyway A forum member contacted me for an opinion as he had some photos sent of the drilled reciever (this is what put me off in the first place) the price also seemed too low, to cut a long story short I bought it because I had heard the words deact mentioned also someone I knew had seen it and said it was ok, so to me I had saved it from the chop, even if it was bad and the forum member didnt want it.
As it turned out the barrel was shot out, it was a FTR, had a new set of furniture, plus the drilled and tapped holes went into the barrel, this was the major concern to me, also the gap at the breeching up face (see pics)

I emailed the member explaining the condition etc, as you can imagine the both of us were dissapointed, I wasnt expecting a silk purse for the price but my main concern was the drilled and tapped holes, which is why I wouldnt let this go to anyone in its present condition, so another project is looming.

First thing I,d like to point out is I,m not shy of FTR rifles, in fact I like them, one because I know they have had a good bill of health at some point in there life and two, The craftmanship what goes into some of the repairs etc is a work of art.

So its A 1926 lithgow, FTR, shot out barrel, drilled and tapped reciever (holes gone through to barrel) apart from that what do I do with it? considering the year (3000 made) and is this the original barrel even though its numbered? (see pics)

If it is original do I :

1) relign barrel to.22
2) change barrel
3) as the damage is done (the holes) make a nice mount and put a period scope on and change barrel and keep as a shooter.

Information

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[RJW NZ]

good onya for saving one of 3000, I keep thinking we way overlook the value of low production years, like 1938's etc.

I dunno about these holes going right through, thats a question I've often wondered too, Mr Laidler perhaps? Is an enfield beyond safe shooting if scope holes exceed a certain depth in the knox, or breakthrough completely? Would fitting threaded inserts save the day?

[bigduke6]

Thanks RJW,

But regarding the holes, being an Engineer and seeing the efects a blind tapped hole can have regarding stress raisers etc, then I tend to proceed with caution, not too concerned about the reciever, just the barrel, but its scrap anyway, just wondered what to do with it relign or rebarrel etc.

What would you with it?

[Bindi2]

That date looks like 1925 to me. Do you want a shooter or a safe queen collector with a 53 dated barrel. Replace barrel fill in screw holes have fun. Could also put a scope back on it and have one of them rare snipers.

[Brian Dick]

It's drilled for a Parker-Hale scope base if you didn't already know. I still have a couple here that are new in the package with low rings should you want to rebarrel and get it back on the range with optics.

[bigduke6]

Thanks brian,

Have plenty of bases (box full) it was the barrel I was unsure of, cant think why they would number it if it was replaced in 53, can understand the the bolt being numbered but the rest ? and for a 53 barrel its had some hard life. (worst barrel i,ve seen in a long time, not quite as bad as the one on a No4 Mk1* longbranch i got few weeks back, it was used as blank firer )

After a good going over it seemed it was a total rebuild at some point so will go with the re barrel, and relign the old one to .22 and keep as a spare.

With the holes being there am tempted to make a set of mounts for it...... but have that much on at present plus a rack full of rifles looking for new barrels.

[smelly sam]

So, a Lithgow 1926 SMLE in good condition would be worth...

[Bricari]

Basically you have a Factory Through Refurbishment performed in 1953 at Lithgow when the barrel was replaced and renumbered to the action. The action, barrel and bayonet boss (no picture of bolt for serial number) all match which makes it worth considerably more that one that has non matching numbers. If you replace the barrel then its value as a collectable reduces. I would keep the current barrel and perhaps apply glue and self tapping screws, but I would want it for its historical value than as a shooter.