Help me identify this Enfield

weasel1

weasel1

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Rifle belongs to a friend of mine and we're just trying to find out a little more history. I did a little searching on my own, but there is a TON of info to sift through. I'm sure there is someone out there that can figure this out faster than I can! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

















 
10441351_10203830998952140_6190878114935154128_n.jpgIts a short magazine lee enfield made by lithgow(Australia) No1mkMkIII yours has been sporterized. This is how it did look ,this one is mine and its a 1942 lithgow.
 

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It's a sporterized Lithgow No. I Mk. III*, that has been drilled and tapped for a scope.

Approx value in that condition: about $100

The barrel wasn't cut, so it's restorable to original condition: the d&t holes can be filled in, replacement wood can be found. I just finished restoring a Lithgow SMLE, very similar to yours.

I paid $70 for mine at a Kamloops gun show a few years back, and mine had a crudely scratched "R" on the knox form- the flat area of the barrel just forward of the breech. The "R" meant that there was rust in the barrel- a couple of large patches about halfway down the bore.

Yours appears to have something on the knox- can you post a picture?

What does the muzzle look like? On mine, the last quarter inch or so was badly worn- you could barely make out where the lands and grooves used to be.

Here's mine- I'm going to do a write-up on it soon:

 
and here we go!







@ stevebc: I can see all the lands and grooves and it looks nice to my eyes. The whole bore looks pretty darned nice. On the knox, I can't see anything at all. There is a scratch, but that's all it is. No markings otherwise. Nice rifle to shoot. Ran a box of S&B through it yesterday. Much more of a kick than my SKS! Was never much of a bolt fan, but now I think I might need to have one ...


To all, my friend was contemplating restoring it. Is it really worth it to do ( value of the gun vs. cost of the parts to make it correct ) or do you think he should just shoot and enjoy it for what it is ?
 
Just shoot it after you have the headspace checked . don't WASTE your money restoring the wood use the money to buy an SKS.
mil surps are made to be shot have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
That's my exact thought too. He did get to fire my SKS and really liked it. Me thinks that's where his next $200 or so is going! The SMLE came from his father in law. Most likely the headspace was checked by him. If its any consolation, the 20 we fired yesterday ran flawlessly. Kept all the brass for future reloads ( neither my friend or myself reload ... yet ... ).
 
Restoring or not restoring. From my humble point of view, it is not a question of money but a question of interest and motivation. I just love military rifles and I will restore mine just for my own pleasure. In any hobby, the value we give to something or we are ready to pay for is a pure personal decision.

So, from my perspective I would say it worth a restoration, as long as the owner has the will to do it. If not, it is also fully reasonable to keep it that way. The most important thing is to keep using the rifle, whatever for shooting or for showing, these items must stay in "life".

If I can add a point, the rear sight protector is mounted backward. The angle part must face the muzzle.

That's my two cents!

Martin
 
I'll have to mention the sight protector to him. If I were a betting man, I'd say he'll leave it as is. Me, I'd probably restore it. Some things deserve to be put back the way they were.
 
Hey guy's. I'd like to thank weasel1 for posting these for me. I'm happy to finally find out what model this one is and was wondering if I could have some help with my other Enfield? I believe it may be more of a project than the previous model. Let me know if you can? Thanks in advance. If the pictures are not clear enough I'll post more. http://s24.photobucket.com/user/evilone1111/profile/
 
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It would be a great rifle restored but there are two things that would make me think long and hard before doing it. First, that it is drilled and tapped for a scope. You can plug the holes and refinish (with that really odd Australian grey-green park) but it will always show. Second is that finding the original Australian Coachwood stock would be very hard. Lots of British walnut and beech around but the Oz wood is scarce.
 
evil11 said:
Hey guy's. I'd like to thank weasel1 for posting these for me. I'm happy to finally find out what model this one is and was wondering if I could have some help with my other Enfield? I believe it may be more of a project than the previous model. Let me know if you can? Thanks in advance. If the pictures are not clear enough I'll post more. http://s24.photobucket.com/user/evilone1111/profile/
Click to expand...

That looks like a better start than the 1944 Lithgow. It's a 1917 Enfield and looks all there, metal-wise. Two things to consider: does the bolt serial match (not a complete deal stopper) and how is the bore?
 
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