For the Love of a SMLE

Drachenblut

Drachenblut

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Smithers, B.C.
Hello Everyone,

I am a collector of Enfields primarily. I am looking for a Lee Enfield No.1 Mk.III made between 1939 and 1945, I understand that Lithgow (Australia) made them, as well as Ishapore in India. I was wondering what the market price, conditions and values are of all matching No.1 Mk.III's and Mk.III * models are. I am also wondering if Australia made any No.1 Mk.III (or * models) in the Great War, as I have family connections that may have served at Gallipoli (The Dardanelles Campaign) in 1915. So, in addition, I am wondering if anyone here has a SMLE dated that year, perhaps made in Australia, I am unsure if they did produce any, or if it was all imported from England?

If anyone might furnish me with some ballpark figures, and perhaps a bit of history, it would be really appreciated. I also had family serve in WWII, and apparently they used a Lee Enfield No.1 Mk.III. The picture with the man and rifle in it is dated '42.

Yours,

Drachenblut
 
The No.1 Mk.III was also made at BSA during WW2, until production of the No.4 started up. I have a 1940 BSA which was actually used by New Zealand troops in the Mediterranean and North .

Lithgow started production in 1913, if I remember correctly, though at the time of Gallipoli I suspect most ANZAC troops were carrying British-made rifles, as the first Lithgow production actually went to England. Was your family member an ANZAC or a British soldier?

As for value, I suspect you could find one for under $500, depending on manufacture and markings. The most I ever paid for a SMLE was $600, but that was a Canadian marked SSA.
 
SMLE's

Quite a few Smellies on the EE at the moment. Hold out for a matching one with VG bore. Might want to get Skennerton's Enfield book to learn up on them.
Geoff
 
Yup, what they said :)

Many of them around, relatively speaking. I'd recommend taking your time to find one which has all the qualities you are looking for. you'll find everything from shot-out, non-matching examples to nice bore, matching number rifles with reasonable stock.

Lou
 
I picked up a sportered mk3*for $100 at a show a while ago.
One of tho other dealers asked me what i paid for it, when i told him, he thought i was crazy to pay that much. I still think i got a deal though< darn thing has as new riflings.
 
I have two SMLE sporters. My first rifle was a 1944, Parker Hale sportered Lithgow. I paid one dollar. My other one is a 1917 BSA with a 1940 Lithgow barrel. It is a home bubba job. And it was a freebie from my uncle.
 
Thank you gentlemen. My family member was a British soldier at Gallipoli, though it is noted somewhere in his journal that he had a rifle made from Lithgow, which he got off an ANZAC fellow, because he found it quote unquote "lighter" and "more handy" than his British one. No idea what that means, other than I've heard rumours of the stocks being made from something called "Australian Coachwood". Specifically, I am looking for two SMLE's. One 1915 dated, preferably Lithgow manufacture, matching with a VG or even G bore, the other a 1939 or 1940 dated No.1 Mk.III (possibly * marked, depends on price) any manufacturer. Matching, (magazine can be non matching on both) and VG to G bore.
If anyone has them for sale, run your prices by me.
 
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