Lithgow SMLE MK3*

[Pocketfisherman]

I just took in a Lithgow sporter. As my first SMLE I was hoping to put it back to proper military spec. It is numbers matching (bolt, barrel, receiver)

Did they all come with lighter colored stocks?

It is marked MKIII* 1920

Cheers

 

[stevebc]

They were mostly stocked in coachwood or queensland maple, both of which are or can be lighter coloured wood. I've seen some suggestion that if it's WW2 wood, it's coachwood, which if true would suggest yours may be qm.
But I'm as new as you to the "let's restore a Lithgow" game.
Finding uncut wood is proving to be a real challenge.

 

[Pocketfisherman]

I know the wood is going to be a challenge. If I could get a ruff stock set To use as a template. I would be willing to pay to have a new set duplicated in maple just for kicks. I know it would be expensive but a Lithgow in maple would rock

The one on there now looks like maple for sure.

 

[smellie]

Nineteen TWENTY?????

Ah.... that was a VERY Good Year!

Not many made, what with the Great War just ending.

A bit of advice for this one: pop over to milsurps and get onto their LE forum. They have an Australian ARMOURER on there who is also a collector. If ANYBODY can steer you straight on this baby, it will be him.

I know I sure can't.

Wonderful find!

You will HAVE to post some pics when she goes to the range!

After all, the rest of us DO need something to drool at occasionally.
.

 

[Pocketfisherman]

I know, I am excited. After doing everything I can do with my Garands, the Enfield bug has bitten hard. I looked at this one for 5 days on EE, contacted the guy, turns out to be 1920 sporter all matching. It is missing the safety and of course wood. I wonder if there would be a market for replacement SMLE wood? There are tons of sporters out there worth saving.

Anyway the rifle was a score for 120.00