1916 Lithgow SMLE Mk. III

[Homer]

Not two serial numbers, one is the inventory number for the military district it was issued. That is the number that is also stamped into the butt.....although, I'd question the origins of that stamp, it looks more recent to me. I could be wrong of course.
Yes, forends were modified to suit the larger diameter of a heavy barrel.
And yes, this rifle would have been manufactured with volley sights, but this forend is not the original to this rifle. Again, it looks to be very early English. Highly likely the original forend would have been Queensland maple.

[browningautorifle]

Think I will leave it as is Jim

I agree completely, that was just conversation...

[Homer]

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

Nothing wrong with the bluing on that rifle cinders. That's how those 44 refurbs came out.
Lovely rifle, if your ever sick of it, I'll buy it off you.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

The BARREL was, in the tradition of the '53 Enfield, the "controlled" part.

They were a "consumable" item, bearing "batch numbers" but not an official "serial number" until assembled into a rifle.

Back in the "good old days", rifle club armourers had boxes of bodies as "spares" and they would fit them to whatever barrel the shooter wanted.

Given the peace-time ratio of "drills" to live firing, it is not surprising that bodies and bolts expired before the barrels did. Flogged-out bolt raceways and bolt-head retaining "ribs" would be noticeable long before a barrel was "past it".

[CINDERS]

I gather Homer it was not an after market bluing but possibly done on 5/44, thanks for the appreciation of it with the "if I get sick of it................." but I will politely say "No Thanks" Homer I sorta made a promise to Terry and even though he has passed I still feel obliged to keep the promise "Not to shoot it" even though he has been gone 2 years now it just would not sit right with me.
I have tried to put a .300 gauge into the muzzle and there is no way known its was going it I think the .295 may have gone in very snugly I mean I did it when I first got it home which was like 8 years ago......geez the last bit sounds like got up to shenanigans with the wife better stop there...................

[Homer]

I gather Homer it was not an after market bluing but possibly done on 5/44, thanks for the appreciation of it with the "if I get sick of it................." but I will politely say "No Thanks" Homer I sorta made a promise to Terry and even though he has passed I still feel obliged to keep the promise "Not to shoot it" even though he has been gone 2 years now it just would not sit right with me.
I have tried to put a .300 gauge into the muzzle and there is no way known its was going it I think the .295 may have gone in very snugly I mean I did it when I first got it home which was like 8 years ago......geez the last bit sounds like got up to shenanigans with the wife better stop there...................

Of course mate, exactly the reply I expected. It's just something g you say when you like something.👍🏻

---------- Post added at 03:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:54 PM ----------

The BARREL was, in the tradition of the '53 Enfield, the "controlled" part.

They were a "consumable" item, bearing "batch numbers" but not an official "serial number" until assembled into a rifle.

Back in the "good old days", rifle club armourers had boxes of bodies as "spares" and they would fit them to whatever barrel the shooter wanted.

Given the peace-time ratio of "drills" to live firing, it is not surprising that bodies and bolts expired before the barrels did. Flogged-out bolt raceways and bolt-head retaining "ribs" would be noticeable long before a barrel was "past it".

Sorry Bruce, I'm not following this. Batch numbers, are you referring to Proof Action Assembly numbers?

[Bruce_in_Oz]

"Sorry Bruce, I'm not following this. Batch numbers, are you referring to Proof Action Assembly numbers?"

Yes. Just could not come up with the correct jargon.

Even barrels were marked and remarked with various proofs and inspection marks as they made their way through the myriad processes to becoming a "finished" barrel.

[Homer]

The PAA numbers were applied to action and bolt when they were mated and proofed to identify them as a pair before being serial numbered. Only done at Lithgow and only from 1918 onwards. The OP's rifle won't have them.

[Eaglelord17]

Well got it to the range today, and I can say it seems to be fairly accurate (better than me at least). I also attempted a Mad Minute, which starting with a 5rd loaded magazine, I got 20rds off in total on my big black circle target at 100m (I count hits on both the black circle and rest of the paper). I might just start trying to practice it regularly now that I have a good Lee Enfield to do it with.

[5thBatt]

Here's my 1916 Lithgow MkIIIH which is just under 700 rifles earlier to compare.
Rifle serial number on the forend is next to impossible to read but that is not uncommon on QM stocks but i have no doubt the forend is original.


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