S.M.L.E. No I MkIII by Lithgow…………SOLD

 Fantastic opportunity to purchase a brand new  S.M.L.E  Rifle

Well, have you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be issued with a brand new SMLE  (Short Magazine Lee Enfield) Rifle.  This rifle must be as close as it gets.  This is a SMLE Mk III* made in Australia at the Lithgow plant in 1944.  That being the most recent date on the rifle.  It is to be found on the underside of the wrist,  just behind the trigger guard, in the form of;  “SLAZ /44 / crown /5 /S”.

This rifle is in the standard form for a MkIII*.  The differences as compared to the earlier rifles are:  The lack of windage adjustment on the rear sights.  The complete lack of long range volley sights, even in the absence of provision in the fore-end for the them.  The complete lack of magazine cut-off device.  No Stacking hook under the fore-end nose cap.

The rifle is 45″ long overall.  With the pattern 1907 bayonet fitted, the rifle becomes a formidable 62″ long.  The round barrel is 25.1/4″ and completely shrouded by the stock work and steel nose-cap.  The trigger pull length 13.1/4,”  The top of the butt being marked with the letter “L” meaning it is a long fitment item.  The rifle is fitted with a ten-shot detachable magazine, released by the catch within the trigger guard.

Chambered in .303 British.  Fully stocked in Australian Coachwood by the Slazenger factory (hence the “SLAZ”)  The stock is in mint condition.  There are none of the dings and dents associated with normal military usage.  There is also an obvious lack of oil staining around the action.  The timber is in virgin condition; it is even possible without much effort to observe the finishers sanding marks all along the side of the stock.  There is none of the  patina or polished surface that builds up with constant handling.  The Australians also used special brass pins to strengthen the weaker parts of the stock and it is possible to see verdigris which builds up around brass in time.  This green reaction with air can only build up in time.  It is impossible to fake that effect.  With careful observation it is also possible to see it around the edges of the brass butt plate.  The brass butt-plate has the trap to store the pull through and oiler (A/F)  On the tang of the butt-plate are the letters “OA”,  these letters appear on many of the parts and indicate the involvement of the Orange manufactory who became the second largest facility in Australia by the end of the conflict.

The RHS of the steel wrist collar is marked as follows ” M A  / LITHGOW / SMLE / III* / 1942″   M.A. is thought to be for “Munitions Australia”.  The bolt arm has the matching serial number stamped into the back face, and the assembly number “R 927” which is repeated on the rear of the action.   The RHS of the receiver is marked with the serial number; “C/87653”    There are modern proofs applied to the top flat of the barrel dated 2009.  The LHS of the receiver is marked with the crossed flag proofs for Lithgow.  The rear sights are protected by steel “ears” mounted in the lower part of the stock and are graduated from 200 up to 2000 yards.  The forend nose-cap has similar protective ears for the front sight and bayonet lugs, the main round lug is marked with the matching serial number.   “SLAZ / 43” marked in the underside of the woodwork behind the nose-cap.

The finish applied to all steel parts is a grey-green parkerizing which is extremely good at resisting corrosion. It may be possible that this rifle was made for export to the USA and they liked their weapons finished with a parkerized finish.  Australia did become a massive exporter of munitions by the end of the War.  Action is fine- needs running in.  The bore is a thing of beauty – it looks perfect to the naked eye.

A rare chance to own a new S.M.L.E.

Stock No’  f  437

£ 825….SOLD

 

 

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