Lee Enfield ID help

I don't think a Lithgow, friend; generally they marked theirs rather well.

I would think more likely a BSA built under the Dispersal program. At that time, BSA had the only plant in the UK capable of turning out the SMLE. They made some nicely-marked ones in 1940, then the Luftwaffe decided to visit the factory..... which they did quite impressively. Following that, production was dispersed, with parts being made in dozens of small factories and brought together only for assembly. At the same time, the NAME of the company was removed from the rifles and CODES introduced in the hopes that the Luftwaffe might forget where Birmingham was.

A Lithgow, even in the worst of times, would have been marked at least "MA" above everything else.

Photos would really help in this case.
 
It's a No. 1 Mk. III. Mine's an un-bubba'd rifle. Made in 1942. Tell your buddy to check the headspace.
"...the Luftwaffe decided to visit..." And completely destroyed it. Several return engagements, as I recall.
 
smellie said:
I don't think a Lithgow, friend; generally they marked theirs rather well.

I would think more likely a BSA built under the Dispersal program. At that time, BSA had the only plant in the UK capable of turning out the SMLE. They made some nicely-marked ones in 1940, then the Luftwaffe decided to visit the factory..... which they did quite impressively. Following that, production was dispersed, with parts being made in dozens of small factories and brought together only for assembly. At the same time, the NAME of the company was removed from the rifles and CODES introduced in the hopes that the Luftwaffe might forget where Birmingham was.

A Lithgow, even in the worst of times, would have been marked at least "MA" above everything else.

Photos would really help in this case.
Click to expand...
the man i was hoping weighing in. i`ll be definitely getting better photos
but it was very clear with the SPT II. the "p" is lower case but set at the same level as the S & T.
 
smellie said:
I don't think a Lithgow, friend; generally they marked theirs rather well.

I would think more likely a BSA built under the Dispersal program. At that time, BSA had the only plant in the UK capable of turning out the SMLE. They made some nicely-marked ones in 1940, then the Luftwaffe decided to visit the factory..... which they did quite impressively. Following that, production was dispersed, with parts being made in dozens of small factories and brought together only for assembly. At the same time, the NAME of the company was removed from the rifles and CODES introduced in the hopes that the Luftwaffe might forget where Birmingham was.

A Lithgow, even in the worst of times, would have been marked at least "MA" above everything else.

Photos would really help in this case.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, I only suggest the Lithgow because I had a sportered one with much of that information ground off in an apparent attempt to fit a stock with a slimmer wrist. I have two sportered 1917 models right now, both extremely well marked up. Plus I forgot that BSA built a number during the war....
 
infideleggwelder said:
how much is a sporter worth?
Click to expand...

Depends on condition and whether or not a good job was done. I pick up the common hacksawed stock versions for between $75 and $110 usually. Some guys ask as high as $175 ish, even more at Cabelas when they have one, not too many takers at that price though. If was done up nicely like say some of the ones Parker Hale and others were making with a nice pistol grip stock or such they can go for around $250 to $300.
 
Now proud owner, $100
it is marked
1942
SHTLE
III
all numbers match except mag on the rifle. will check more closely when i get the chance and a second mag and box of bullets coming in the AM pics forthcoming
don`t think barrel is cut and may be remilitarized perhaps, or maybe converted to 7.62 x 39?
 
1942 shtle III

it is now mine. probably not cleaned in 25/30 yrs. bore is a nice……dirt colour.
bolt is stiff, wood has been patched, all serials match except mag, and i may just clean it and leave it as is.
not sure what these two holes are for
the stock may have been sanded at one point, hard to tell but i like it
 
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