A smle

[5THBATT]

My most interesting SMLE in the collection, some of you would have seen it before, some a few times, sorry

 

[Leviathan024]

So pretty!

 

[Cb750k]

Beautiful Lithgow

 

[smellie]

Beautiful rifle for certain!

Not often you run into a nice new 1939 rifle with a 1918 barrel-date; I should think the reverse would be MUCH more common.

DEFINITELY a Keeper!

 

[5THBATT]

She started out as a 1918 BSA hence the '18 dated barrel date & for some reason got a replacement receiver in 1939, the receiver is the only Lithgow part on the rifle, all other parts seem to be the original BSA parts from 1918, would appear the receiver is a purpose built replacement receiver as Lithgow were still producing the MkIII in 1939.
Ian Skennerton has inspected this rifle personaly & thought it was interesting enough to include a small write up in his latest book The Lee-Enfield page 566 iirc.

 

[dauph197]

Interesting. I just added a note in my book to remember me that I "saw" this rifle.

Thanks for sharing!

Martin

 

[HarryD]

It certainly is an interesting one, especially with no cut-off slot.

 

[EL34/6L6]

Stunning

 

[RRCo.]

"When you SMLE the whole world SMLEs with you!"

Thanks for explaining the barrel date.

So were the sale marks pre-NZ ownership or after?

 

[5THBATT]

"When you SMLE the whole world SMLEs with you!"

Thanks for explaining the barrel date.

So were the sale marks pre-NZ ownership or after?

Typical NZ sale mark