WW II SMLE by Lithgow. (f 480)…………………… SOLD

Good clean example of the famous Short Magazine Lee-Enfield British Service Rifle

This rifle is presented in as clean as they come condition – having been used.  Usually damage to the wood-work is far worse on this type of service rifle.  Produced in standard form the rifle is exactly 43.3/4″ in overall length.  The round phosphated barrel is 25.1/4″ in length.  Trigger pull length is 12.3/4″ to center.  The rifle weighs 9lb 4oz.  Chambered in .303 with a ten-shot detachable box magazine.

The serial number 32366 is marked on both the receiver and the bolt handle.  The original phosphate mat grey finish still remains over all the metal parts of the rifle.  The stock furniture is all Australian coach wood with its distinctive orangey fine grained pattern  and carries dated Slazenger markings.  The timber is all in fine condition with a semi-mat surface.  There are very few of the usual rough service dents and scratches that occur on military rifles.  Typically for the Australian wood work there are the usual brass re-enforcement pins in what were considered the weak points of the stock. In front of the wrist socket, behind the loading bridge cut-out and both the front and rear sections of the hand-guard.   These were an improvement on the earlier Enfield rifles as many of the others are now turning up with cracked or split stocks in those exact points.  It appears the butt-stock could be an Australian replacement as that is dated behind the trigger guard as “SLAZ/44”

The wrist butt-socket is marked as follows; “MA / LITHGOW / SMLE / III*/ 1943”.  The rest of the rifle is all exactly as it should be for a SMLE NoI mk III*.  This rifle is of complete Australian build and it appears that no Enfield parts have crept into it over the years.  The trigger is the early serrated type, the trigger guard being marked “BA”.  The brass butt-plate is marked on the tang with “OA” as is the rear sight guard.  The nose-cap and bayonet fitting is marked “BA”.  The front sight protection ears are both marked with the star and “A” stamp.  The bolt head removal spring also has the star “A” mark and there are multiple enclosed star”A” marks just below the line of the wood-work on the LHS of the action, towards the rear.  All of these signs are Australian build and inspection marks.  Even the square cocking piece is marked  “OA43”.  The safety is marked “III”.

The SMLE has the classic flat nose profile produced by that distinctive nose cap which encloses the full length woodwork, on this example the serial number is not marked on that cap.  The open rear sights with their glare reducing back plate are marked up from 200 to 2000 yards.  There is a useful fine, vertical center line, on the rear facing cross hatched face of the rear sight which definitely helps the shooter acquire the mid axis he is shooting down.  This really was the most refined No Mark III produced during the war years.

The Mark III has no adjustment for windage on the rear sight, no slit in the LHS of the action for a magazine cut-off plate and no long range volley sights.  The action on this weapon is mechanically fine.  The bore is excellent and wear is minimal,  Cosmetically the only wear is honest high edge wear and bolt handle wear through usage, otherwise this SMLE shows all the signs of standard military usage. This 1943 SMLE is ready for a new lease of life following a thorough cleaning and total strip down and trip to the proof house.  A chance to purchase a solid piece of Australian World War Two history that will perform as well as the day it was issued.

Stock No f 480

£  575…..SOLD

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