Questionable Lithgow No.1 Mk III*

[ct241]

Hello everyone

Been quite a while since I've posted. Anyway, quite a few years back, I got a Lithgow No.1 Mk III* in a private sale on an online sales board. Its been somewhat puzzling to me and I've gotten a lot of mixed opinions on what its origins may be.

An album of detailed photos can be seen here: Lithgow SMLE No1 Mk III* - Album on Imgur

Before I get started, I will note that it is a "JJCO NY NY" import, which immediately throws up red flags, but I'm aware of what typically is seen on those parts guns. I'll list details as evidence towards two different options.

"Its an original rifle":

• It has OA and MA stamps all over it.
• The barrel and receiver are proof marked
• The barrel is dated 9-'44
• There are broad arrows marked on the rifle
• There are a number A in star of inspection stamps on the rifle
• There appears to be a very faint '46 stamped into the buttstock
• Recoil pads are installed in the stock and there is cracking in the stock. Its clearly been well used.

"Its a JJCO parts gun"

• Its marked JJCO NY NY
• The receiver is dated 1945, which was typical on JJCO NOS parts guns.
• The serial number is lacking a prefix indicating it's from 1912 to 1918, so this would have had to have been a replacement receiver.

Below are a couple photos to attach to the thread. I've got too many to warrant directly uploading to this thread. See the imgur link above

If anyone has any thoughts, I'd be very glad to hear them! I can get more photos of specific things if necessary as well.

Information

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