303 original Australian help

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Hi Folks
Trying to figure out what this Mark III rifle would be worth. A friend of mine is interested in selling it and I may purchase it but don't know this ones value.

Here is what I know;

It is original and was never in service. Was packed in paper and stuffed with grease everywhere.

It was used by this fellow as a hunting rifle but not modified in any way. Probably less than 30 rounds down the tube.

Has flip up sights to 1000 yards.

Stamped Australia on Wood.

It looks like a real nice piece of history but whats it really worth?

I have like most people bought sported ones that were $125 to $200.

Here is a pic.

Thanks for your insight.

303.jpg
 
Some of the new looking guns were assembled by an the J. Jovino Outfit in the USA from surplus spare parts purchased in Australia. The stocks have a tendency to crack on firing after awhile, because re-enforcing plate were not fitted to the rear of the fore stocks like the ones assembled at the Lithgow Arsenal. Here is the warning put out a few years ago, by the late Dr Skip Stratton:

"No. 1 Mk III* (Lithgow - 'New') Often advertised as “collector grade” or “mint - unfired” or “unissued” and selling for $200 and up. Watch out for these! Quite a few “new Lithgow” rifles have been built just within the last few years from spare parts bought from the Australian government. The parts are new, and the rifles were never issued--but they aren’t Lithgow factory rifles by any stretch of the imagination! They’re recently-built parts guns. It is possible (though not likely) that some Lithgow-manufactured rifles with late-1945 (or later) dates were kept in storage and subsequently surplused out in unfired or unissued condition. Such rifles would have 5-digit serial numbers with either an “E” or an “F” serial number prefix, and the serial number would be stamped on the rear of the bolt handle and on the bottom of the fore-end, as well as on the receiver ring. Neither the nose cap nor the bottom of the backsight leaf will carry a different serial number on these rifles. Also, legitimate factory rifles will have brass or copper recoil plates installed on the fore-ends where the sear boss bears against the wood. If you find a “new” Lithgow with a 1943 or 1944 date, be highly suspicious. This was the height of the war, and virtually all rifles manufactured were issued. If you find the receiver marked with a “JJ CO NY NY” import stamp, assume it’s a parts gun unless you have clear evidence to the contrary. (Many “new Lithgow” parts guns appear to have been assembled on receivers imported by John Jovino & Co.) If you find a 4-digit serial number with no prefix letter and an “A” suffix, this is clear evidence that it is not a Lithgow factory rifle. If you find different serial numbers on different parts, this is clear evidence that it is a parts gun. And if the recoil lugs are missing, it is not only a parts gun--it is dangerous to shoot. There’s a good chance that the fore-end will shatter with as few as 20 or 30 round fired."
 
Well the first thing to cry about is the fact it was probably wrapped in its original paper which would make it worth alot more money than it is today even though it is close to perfect. IF it is a original Lithgow you should not shoot it and if you want a shooter then sell this and buy a different one to shoot, say a No4 Mk1. Is it a matching rifle, ie the serial number on all parts match?

Lithgow rifles for some reason do not fetch a premium price here in Canada but do in the UK or Australia, I can't figure out why but it is worth alot more than $200.00 if it is a original Lithgow especially in that condition.

I just looked-up Lithgows on EFD Rifles, they are a UK firm that usually rebuild rifles as they must re-proof everything they sell and a Lithgow from them is over 450 pounds which puts it over $600.00.

This like many Lee Enfields may have been out of service just because it wasn't needed, heck I just bought a ORIGINAL Long Branch No 4 in its original shipping case that was manufactured in the 40's and never issued. It is not strange to find unissued rifles but for sure not common.



Personally I would put it up for sale if you want at $500.00 and hold firm IF you want to sell it. If not as I said it is a perfect collectors gun and PLEASE preserve it.
 
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It really comes down to who's looking. I saw what looked like a brand new Lithgow at a gun show, with matching bayonet, marked HV on the buttstock. The price on it was $500 and there were no takers.

For sure a great gun...I think there is a bit less demand for SMLE's than there is for No 4's but who knows.

And re the Lithgow in the OP- yes, someone who knows what they are doing (can't stress this enough, and it does not mean just someone with a slotted screwdriver) should take it down and see if the two little recoil plates are there in the forend...that will tell the story on it.
 
That is interesting.
The Serial number is D 49571.
He bought this new when he was a very young man just out on his own. He is now turning 70 this year.
I will get him to double check for matching numbers.
Thanks for the help!
 
enfield303t said:
Well the first thing to cry about is the fact it was probably wrapped in its original paper which would make it worth alot more money than it is today even though it is close to perfect. IF it is a original Lithgow you should not shoot it and if you want a shooter then sell this and buy a different one to shoot, say a No4 Mk1. Is it a matching rifle, ie the serial number on all parts match?

Lithgow rifles for some reason do not fetch a premium price here in Canada but do in the UK or Australia, I can't figure out why but it is worth alot more than $200.00 if it is a original Lithgow especially in that condition.

I just looked-up Lithgows on EFD Rifles, they are a UK firm that usually rebuilt rifles as they must re-proof everthing they sell and a Lithgow from them is over 450 pounds which puts it over $600.00.

This like many Lee Enfields may have been out of service just because it wasn't needed, heck I just bought a ORIGINAL Long Branch No 4 in its original shipping case that was manufactured in the 40's and never issued. It is not strange to find unissued rifles but for sure not common.



Personally I would put it up for sale if you want at $500.00 and hold firm IF you want to sell it. If not as I said it is a perfect collectors gun and PLEASE preserve it.
Click to expand...

Well I've known this fellow all my life and I can tell you he never thought for one minute that it would be worth anything at all. He got rid of all the grease and used it as an extremely inexpensive dear gun for a few years and it did the job to put meat on the table in hard times. Then he put it away in favour of newer guns.

Thanks for the comment!
 
That has to be worth in the same range as a new No4mkII ($600-700) personally I'd look at the higher end - assuming it's not a parts gun (serial# says it isn't). I've never seen an unissued Lithgow, and I've owned a few Enfields including a new, wrapped No4. That wood is gorgeous.

PS if you buy it or not - get more pictures(and post them), I very much doubt you'll see another in that shape.
 
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In the late 1970s I bought a mint Lithgow at a show in Montreal. It was a 1919 dated receiver with a 5 digit/numeric s/n. The durn thing was so minty that I never took it down or even fired it.:redface: The Australian Coach wood stock was very attractive. It went to someone else whose need was greater than mine. I redeemed myself with the No1 MkIII a few yrs ago by picking up a very nice commercial BSA target rifle once owned by a gentleman in Winnipeg who had his name engraved on the receiver with jeweller's quality engraving. It is a dandy shooter.:)
 
You should defiantly pick that rifle up. If its story is true, then you have a really nice collectors piece. If not, then you have a really nice shooter.

Just price accordingly after you find out the origin. But by the sounds of the above comments, it sounds like a true deal.
 
I'd like to see more pictures: The stock looks awful shiny (varnish???!), and the rear sight protector ears seem to have suncorite partly worn off.

I has some suspicions.... But I AM a cynic...

;)
 
Looks like a nice clean postwar FTR (factory thorough repair) No1mkIII* - not a real collector's item, but a very shootable rifle. It wasn't varnished at the factory, but that's not a huge deal, the wood is correct for a Lithgow. Price takes a tumble with an FTR though, now you're looking in the $450 to whatever you can get range. Most folks wouldn't balk at paying around $500 (in my neck of the woods) for that, assuming the barrel is mint.

PS, Lithgow never made a No4 - ever, but they pretty much perfected the No1mkIII.
 
Hi Folks
Thanks for all the replies! There is a wealth of knowledgeable people on here willing to help.
After speaking with Neil and relaying the all your comments, he asked me to post it up for him. So at some point this week I will do that and as per his request. Its a little more than I was looking to spend that on a 303 at the moment. Given its condition I am sure there will be somebody looking for it.

Thanks again for all of your input and help.
 
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