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  1. #1
    Legacy Member LNM's Avatar
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    SMLE No.3 Magazine questions

    Hi Everyone,

    I have some questions about No.3 magazines that I would like to put to members of the forum that are more knowledgable than I.

    I have just bought a No.3 magazine. It has what I believe to be a No.2 magazine case that was converted to a No.3 case. The 3 stamped into the base of the magazine appears to be stamped over a 2.

    The magazine platform is the correct No.2 platform. It is marked 2 with a Lithgow star.

    There is a 2 over a O stamped under the follower removal lip. Aside from the 3 on the auxiliary spring there are no other markings I can find. Though I have yet to clean the magazine so others may come to light.

    My questions are:

    Does anyone have the list of changes entry handy for the No.3 magazine as I'd like to know the exact date of the change?

    Was the first type of magazine produced at Lithgow the No.3 magazine?

    If my magazine indeed has a No.2 case that was converted to No.3 case, would this indicate that the case was produced in Great Britainicon and possibly converted to a No.3 magazine in Australiaicon as evidenced by the Lithgow No.2 platform?

    On a related issue. Does anyone know when Australia started making MKVII ammunition? I have First World War dated ammunition but it is CAC MkVI.

    I assume that a No.3 magazine will successfully feed MkVI ammunition as well as the MKVII ammunition is was designed for?

    Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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    Last edited by LNM; 05-04-2019 at 11:55 PM. Reason: Adding photographs.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Legacy Member ufo8mydog's Avatar
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    Unfortunately I don't have the answers to your questions.

    Attached is a couple of photos of my No 2 Lithgowicon magazine next to a magazine converted to No 3 spec


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    Legacy Member LNM's Avatar
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    Thread Starter
    Thanks so much for posting these pics.

    They help a great deal.

    I now know that Lithgowicon made No.2 magazines. Is there a Lithgow star anywhere else on the No.2 case?

    Does the No.3 case have a Lithgow star anywhere on it? It would appear that the Lithgow star was in the exact place that was modified during the conversion from No.2 to No.3 case. That would explain why my case has no markings.

    Quote Originally Posted by ufo8mydog View Post
    Unfortunately I don't have the answers to your questions.

    Attached is a couple of photos of my No 2 Lithgow magazine next to a magazine converted to No 3 spechttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9e4a5297-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...32fe3c6a-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...b66e0e1b-1.jpg

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    Legacy Member dbelham's Avatar
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    CAC Mk VI ammunition ceased production at the Footscray factory in January 1918
    CAC Mk VII ammunition commenced production at the Footscray factory in February 1918.
    MF Mk VII ball and blank ammunition ceased regular production in 1960, however, a special order for 303 ball for the cadets was manufactured in 1962. After 1962 303 Mk VII Ball was imported (Kynoch ICI, then Indian Mk VII from Kirkee Ammunition Factory). The Indian ammunition was repacked at the Footscray factory in the late 60's and early 70's.

  7. Thank You to dbelham For This Useful Post:


  8. #5
    Legacy Member ufo8mydog's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by LNM View Post
    Thanks so much for posting these pics.

    They help a great deal.

    I now know that Lithgowicon made No.2 magazines. Is there a Lithgow star anywhere else on the No.2 case?

    Does the No.3 case have a Lithgow star anywhere on it? It would appear that the Lithgow star was in the exact place that was modified during the conversion from No.2 to No.3 case. That would explain why my case has no markings.
    On the No 3 case there is no Lithgow markings on it.



    ---------- Post added at 03:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:43 PM ----------

    My No 2 magazine has a small 4.

    My No 3 magazine looks like it has a number one.

  9. #6
    Legacy Member ufo8mydog's Avatar
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    Credit to Demo for these photos of his No 2 Lithgowicon magazine.


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