1916 Lithgow SMLE Mk. III

[browningautorifle]

I could be wrong and am not prepared to make a federal case of it but it sure looks like it to me too. Maybe when it went to HB.

[Eaglelord17]

I concede to the experts, in any case at least it was a nice job.









If I understand correctly the 4.36 would be the month and year the barrel was installed? So that would correspond to April 1936? Also the 4 MD on the barrel means 4th Military District which is Southern Australia if I am correct? Also the missing rear volley sight would that likely have been removed when the barrel was changed or later?

So with all these pictures, is it still a all matching Lee Enfield even if refinished? And the other question what would be a rough value on it in Canada if you guys were buying it. I am just curious how I did this time around.

[browningautorifle]

If I understand correctly the 4.36 would be the month and year the barrel was installed? So that would correspond to April 1936? Also the 4 MD on the barrel means 4th Military District which is Southern Australia if I am correct? Also the missing rear volley sight would that likely have been removed when the barrel was changed or later?

I think all those assumptions are correct. I would say too that it's correct or factory rebarreled, but just term it a reblue, possibly at the time. My best guess. The polish looks like a paper polish that would have been done then, it gives that kind of result. I'd think without effort, at least $700 up to$900 CDN at the Calgary show...Maybe the high end...??? Ridolpho...where are you?

[Ridolpho]

I think all those assumptions are correct. I would say too that it's correct or factory rebarreled, but just term it a reblue, possibly at the time. My best guess. The polish looks like a paper polish that would have been done then, it gives that kind of result. I'd think without effort, at least $700 up to$900 CDN at the Calgary show...Maybe the high end...??? Ridolpho...where are you?

Watching with interest BAR. If it is a genuine Lithgow assembled H-barrel I know I would still value it fairly highly, in-spite of the probable post-service cosmetic changes. Two or three years ago I payed $450.00 for a sporterized H-barrel apparently built at Lithgow on a '18 Peddle Scheme Mk III*. I suspect your suggested price range is right on the money. Curious to hear if the Aussies see anything to raise doubts about it origins. Nice rifle Eaglelord- may be a great shooter!

Ridolpho

[Homer]

I'd have doubts about the early English forend and non matching butt.

[browningautorifle]

I suspect your suggested price range is right on the money.

Thank you...we'll see what the experts see that we can't. Just as a full wood and H barrel it would command good money...sum total of parts really.

[CINDERS]

Pretty sure on the list of changes the volley sight was deleted prior to 1916 and the stock on mine has no provision for the front pointer nor the rear volley sight arm, as for the bluing my 1921 Lithgow raised similar responses but the blue is not as deep and shiny as the rifle portrayed in this thread.(see Pics).

My 1921 Lithgow;
This is my sleeper safe queen, as far as it has been ascertained has not been fired by its original owner a WWII vet or my gunsmith friend I got it off Terry (he is now deceased) who owned the weapon for 30+ plus years before I wrested it from him 8 years for $650/Au it came with its serialed to the rifle 1921 07 Lithgow Bayonet & Lithgow 1921 scabbard it has not been fired by myself either and still retains the 1921 barrel. All the fore woods are in the white and have not been sanded.

[browningautorifle]

my 1921 Lithgow raised similar responses but the blue is not as deep and shiny as the rifle portrayed in this thread.

It depends on the way you remove the blue too. If you use a liquid to remove the blue, you can go straight into the salts after boiling. If you polish it's much longer and more involved. I've heard of using lemon juice to strip off blue. Coca Cola too...miuriatic acid, except it leaves a flat finish. Navy Jelly too...

[Eaglelord17]

I'd have doubts about the early English forend and non matching butt.

The number on the buttstock matches the second serial number on the receiver. As a side note does anyone know why there would be two serial numbers?

Pretty sure on the list of changes the volley sight was deleted prior to 1916 and the stock on mine has no provision for the front pointer nor the rear volley sight arm, as for the bluing my 1921 Lithgow raised similar responses but the blue is not as deep and shiny as the rifle portrayed in this thread.(see Pics).

My 1921 Lithgow;
This is my sleeper safe queen, as far as it has been ascertained has not been fired by its original owner a WWII vet or my gunsmith friend I got it off Terry (he is now deceased) who owned the weapon for 30+ plus years before I wrested it from him 8 years for $650/Au it came with its serialed to the rifle 1921 07 Lithgow Bayonet & Lithgow 1921 scabbard it has not been fired by myself either and still retains the 1921 barrel. All the fore woods are in the white and have not been sanded.

If I remember correctly the modification to omit the volley sight from production was roughly in the 1915-1916 era with different factories starting at different times. Since this isn't a Mk. III* it makes sense that it would have had it.

Also as another side note did the forend have to be modified for the heavy barrel or did the standard No. 1 Mk. 3 forend fit the heavy barrel?

[CINDERS]

Think I will leave it as is Jim as with my luck it would turn out like a Hyena coat splotchy as heck and ruin it, put it this way if it was raining soup I would pick up a fork or probably win a steak in a chook raffle! that's my type of luck.

---------- Post added at 10:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:50 AM ----------

The rear sight bed would not fit over the barrel where it was located they usually split the bottom ring on them soldered into position with the locating pin inserted