help with Lithgow SHT.LE III

jimmyjazz

jimmyjazz

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Need a little help evaluating a Lithgow SHT.LE III made in 1916

A buddy want s to trade with me but I have no idea of value any help will be appreciated.

Aside from some of the stock broken and missing around the action it seems in good shape.
Serial number on butt, nose cap and top of action have one serial number and bolt and side of action have another serial number.
Bolt face appears to have never been fired, completely smooth and clean most of it in cosmoline.










Any help would be greatly appreciated as I have no idea of military collectables.

Cheers,
JJ
 
That's in pretty rough shape. The wood around the action is very poor. I wouldn't shoot it in that condition. The metal work and bore look about right for that era. Lithgows are built like tanks, so it shouldn't be too difficult to bring it back from the brink. I would willingly pay up to $300, but no more for a full-wood rifle in this condition. Good luck!
 
Thanks for the input, I'm thinking if I trade him I'm just going sell it, no sense spending money on something I'm not going to keep.

Cheers,
JJ
 
JJ this is a bit of a rare bird in Australia and Lithgow collectors would love it.
A great shame about the broken stock but this can be repaired. Possibly not a good option if you want to shoot it, Queensland Maple can be very soft after so many years and the damage that is evident on the outside could be an indicator of something much worse internally. Check for a crack in front of the front trigger guard screw.
The 40329 on the butt and action is an inventory number for the 3rd Military District in Victoria. Curious, the number on the nosecap should match the action and bolt. It has a lovely butt and matching 1916 lithgows still with volley sight forend are a good find if you like your early lithgows.
 
Hello HarryD,

The 40329 on butt is also on the top of the action, and the bolt, nosecap and and right side of action all match, I didn't realize the 2 numners and thought it was mismatched.
I have added more photos of the numbers and no cracks in wood ahead of the front action screw.







 
Bore condition is key with one this old. It may have been re-barreled like so many were.

I love the gun just the way it is. It says "I've been there and done that!"

But that being said mismatched and with wood that is in dyer need of some love I'd put that one at the $250-$300 range, maybe less if the bore is quite rough.

Still though id be happier then a pig in S*** to have that one in my rack right in between my MLE and my own 1916 no1 mk3.

Keep me in mind if you do want to get rid of it as I'm always willing to give a good home to damaged and neglected war Heros;)
 
Forward volleysight is not there but the yardage disc is there.
Bore looks good, but hard to tell it like the rest of the metal has a coat of cosmoline, bolt face appears new not a sign of ever being fired.

 
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