Australian Lithgow SMLE No. 1 Mk. III* .303 British Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $700
WOA#: WY240117CB025
Make: Lithgow Arms, Australia
Model: SMLE No.1 MK. III*
Serial Number: A44561
Year of Manufacture: 1919 (Arsenal refurbished 1941 & again in 1945)
Caliber: .303 British
Action Type: Bolt action, detachable 10 round magazine
Markings: The right side of the receiver is marked “A44561”. The right rear side of the receiver is marked with an import mark. The rear of the bolt handle is marked “A44561”. The right side of the stock collar is marked “Lithgow SHT.LE III* 1919”. The right side of the buttstock is marked “MA Lithgow S.M.L.E.”, “III HV”, “1941”, “R MA”, and “6/45”. The front of the nose cap is marked “A44561”. The underside of the forend is marked “44561” and the rack number “22” in white. The underside of the rear sight is marked “C8925”. There are various small acceptance and proof marks scattered throughout. The left ricasso of the bayonet is marked with a crown stamp over “1907” over “11 18” over “Wilkinson”. The left side of the pommel is marked with a South African “U” broad arrow mark.
Barrel Length: 25”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post set on a ramped base and between two protective wings. The rear sight is a u-notch set between two protective wings, with a sliding adjustable escalator.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece wood stock has a straight grip with finger groove, barrel band, nose cap assembly with sight wings & bayonet lug, two sling loops, and a brass buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate has pitting and heavy scuffs throughout. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. The buttstock is more heavily worn, with more noticeable compression marks and scratches. There are a few spots with small divots throughout. There are three thin cracks in the center of the rear-most upper handguard section. The LOP measures 13.3” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition as arsenal refinished.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 10 round detachable magazine in Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to arsenal refurbishment
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is sharp. There is moderate erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 6 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There is wear to the finish on the receiver and trigger guard assembly, with some light spots of surface rust on the bottom of the trigger guard. The finish on the edges of the rear sight wings is worn. There is pitting on the underside of the nose cap assembly. The bolt and action show usage wear. The screw heads show moderate to heavy use. The markings on the metal are sharp but those on the wood are worn. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition as arsenal refurbished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with one 10 round detachable magazine, a green sling, and a South African marked Pattern 1907 bayonet made by Wilkinson in its scabbard.
Our Assessment: The SMLE was the primary service rifle of the British Empire and commonwealth nations from its introduction in 1902 until it was replaced by the FAL in the early 1950s. The No.1 Mk III was introduced in 1907 and served was the main variant of the SMLE until it was replaced by the No.1 Mk III* in 1916. The Mk III* differed from the MK III in that the volley sights were removed, as was the magazine cut-off. The No.1 Mk III* would eventually be replaced in British and Canadian service by the No.4 Mk I in 1942. As for Australia, it would continue to use the No.1 Mk III* for the entirety of the Second World War.
This is an example of an Australian SMLE No.1 Mk III* made by Lithgow Arms originally in 1919, which was then refurbished in 1941 and again in 1945. The receiver, bolt, nose cap, and forend have matching serial numbers. The wood is worn, especially in the buttstock, but the refurbishment markings are still legible. There are three small cracks in the rear-most upper handguard section as well, which appear to be coming off of the brass tack holes. The metal finish is worn, but mostly present. The markings are very sharp, with a really nice Lithgow shield present on the stock collar. The bore is dark but the rifling is sharp and should make for an adequate shooter once it’s been cleaned. The rifle comes with a modern green sling and a South African marked Pattern 1907 bayonet made by Wilkinson. This would fit into any Australian, SMLE, or Second World War collection. Please see our photos.
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