1935 Lithgow SMLEs

[FTX03]

Dose anyone know if rarer then other years? whats the story behind them? Cheers guys

Information

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[Homer]

All 30's dated Lithgow actions are rare but I have found the 1935 date to be a little more common than the others.
1937 and 1938 seem to be nearly non existent.

[CINDERS]

Production figures No.1 Mk III from Lithgow SAF 1912 - 200, 1930 - 257 (Depression), 1931 - 245, 1932 - 278, 1933 - 271, 1934 - 268, 1935 - 285, 1936 - 283 Source Ian Skennertons 1993 ed "The Lee Enfield Story" Page 308 Australian Production I have not gone through his latest book to see if the figures have changed, nor the 2 volume set I have on the Lithgow small arms factory from 1912 till it closed in the 90's just a bit slack anyway there ya go.......

But it has new owners who are producing weapons again.

[Homer]

I've never seen those figures before and to my knowledge Lithgow stopped manufacturing rifles between 1930 and 1934. Are you sure that those figures are for rifles manufactured?

[muffett.2008]

I must agree Andrew, those figures don't gel.

[Homer]

I don't have The LES to check but someone else will I'm sure.

[CINDERS]

Noworries guys better contact Ian Skennerton who compiled the figures and has done a limited bit of research on the MLE, SMLE all Marks, No.4's, 5's, 8', 9's. The figures were quoted straight from his 1993 edition as stated Lithgow Australian production, sorry guys I am quoting from a book, one of the moderators might have different figures but the effort Ian S and Brian Labudda and others put into these books, as well as having direct access to the source the Lithgow Factory in Australia I reckon they are pretty dam close.

What say all ye in cyber space!!!!

[Homer]

Mate quite familiar with his work but those figures are annual staff numbers employed at the factory.

[muffett.2008]

You will have to forgive him Andrew, he is out west after all, though Ned would never let him forget it.
Cinders, read slowly, even the Kiwi's don't make those mistakes.
If you want the actual breakdown of rifles manufactured in each financial year, Skennerton gives those figures, if you want to break it down to monthly production, be prepared to pay, researching the Archives ain't cheap.

[Bindi2]

S.A.I.S No.19
1929/30 340
no production
1934/35 500
1935/36 1141
1936/37 900
1937/38 421
1938/39 860
1939/40 3480

I am out west so hope my data is OK