Brass band on Lithgow

[h.letourneau]

I recently bought a 1943 Lithgow SMLE . The middle band is all brass and marked MO . The buttstock sling swivel base is also brass. Is it correct or is the brass bands used on special rifles?
Thanks .

 

[JP]

- Correct for an Aussie SMLE, wartime expedient part usually painted black.

- MO Maribyrnong Ordnance Factories

 

[browningautorifle]

They are legit but I just can't lay my hands on the info right this minute.

 

[green]

IIRC the inner band was also made of brass.

 

[h.letourneau]

Yes the inner band is brass too. Just remembering now.

 

[John Sukey]

I know they are supposed to be black, but it looked so neat, I polished mine. The next owner can paint it black if he wants to.

 

[Gary D]

as others have mentioned it is correct, and they were blackened from the factory. Often they are polished because they look cool (mine is too), and although it was more commonly done by private owners there are known instances of it being done in the field.

 

[Gibbs505]

Indeed, in the field you would not want anything shinny