Help needed for Lithgow rifle ID

[smash1911]

Hi Everyone.

I need some help identifying a .303
On the right side of the stock is a few stampings.

M.A
Lithgow
SMLE
D85496
III* HV

1943

All the numbers match on the rifle, except for two dates, one being 1943 on the stock and 1942 that is stamped on the ring just behind the trigger.

The rifle doesnt have a steel rear sight as i have seen many of the enfield fitted with, but rather it has been fitted with a peep sight of some description.
It would be great if someone could shed some more light on this rifle, as it seems to be just a little outside of most of the descriptions i have read about this rifle.
Any help would be greatly appreciated

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Gary D]

I'm not a Lithgow expert but until someone more knowledgeable chimes in, here are my impressions, keeping in mind pictures would definitely help. Sounds like it was converted to a target rifle and likely received different wood at the time. If the front sight has been removed and it has a one piece upper handguard, there is also the possibility it has a heavy barrel. Not military stock, but not one that many would turn their nose up at either. Of course I could be way out in left field here too.

[No4Mk1(T)]

I couldn’t find any reference to an HV marked Lithgow other than the “High Velocity” mark behind the back sight. Just the HT. Still have a look for an “H” on the barrel knox form (the flat area just in front of the receiver ring on the top of the barrel). As Gary D said photos would be a big help (well, at least for me)

[smash1911]

I will try and post up a picture when i get home at the end of the week (damn working away from home on a mine )
It still has the front sight. Everything on the rifle looks original, the number stamped on the stock corresponds with the number stamped on the receiver.
It just seems funny that it doesnt have the rear sight (volley sight?) that every other .303 i have seen has.
Another thing i forgot to mention is that on the stock, and on top of the reciever there is a stamp that looks like this

\|/
S
/|\

I dont know if that means anything significant??

[No4Mk1(T)]

Another thing i forgot to mention is that on the stock, and on top of the reciever there is a stamp that looks like this

\|/
S
/|\

Sold out of service marking applied to arms released for sale to the public.

[smash1911]

So there is a chance this rifle was never actually fired in anger, and was probably in the armoury and sold off when it was no longer needed??

I'd still love to know why it hasnt got the normal rear sight, the peep sight detracts from the military look of the rifle.

[No4Mk1(T)]

So there is a chance this rifle was never actually fired in anger, and was probably in the armoury and sold off when it was no longer needed??

I don’t think there is any way of knowing with the available information. The mark was at one time applied to all arms found surplus to needs to indicate the cancellation of government ownership. Basically to indicate the arm was sold out of service rather than stolen. As with Gary D’s question does it have a one piece upper handguard? Is the original back sight bed still in place?
Does yours look like this one in the Australia section of the MKL?
Military Surplus Collectors Forums

[smash1911]

I'm not sure if it has a one piece upper, i think it has because the timber is the same the whole length on top of the barrell.
I cant see any pics in that thread you posted, my internet at work is blocked from picture storage websites
I have a few pics on my computer at home so i will try and post them up tonight.

[No4Mk1(T)]

OK I get it now. I miss read your first post.
The marks your are referring to are stamped into the butt stock. The information needed to identify your rifle is stamped on the Butt socket (the ring just behind the trigger) under the bolt handle.
I just pulled my Lithgow out and it also has the “HV” mark on the stock. I knew what it meant but for the life of me I can’t remember right now. I’ll look it up in Skennerton’s book as soon as I have a bit of extra time. I’ll wait on your photos before I comment further.

[smash1911]

I know they arent the best photos but they are the best that i could do at the time.
Hopefully it makes it easier for you guys to understand what i am talking about!!


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