New Enfield Acquisition + Pics

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MBman

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Hello all,

Just picked this up, its a beauty 1917 B.S.A. III* wearing Australian wood. The bolt matches the receiver. I assume this was just a rifle used by the Australians and then refurbed post-war at Lithgow? Did the Australians mark their rifles with any FTR/refurb marks?

The bore is like-new and the stock is in fantastic shape, minus a tiny crack on the right side. Is this anything to worry about, should I just leave it alone? Finally, what is the market value for a rifle such as this? Thanks.

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If you take this rifle apart(and you really should) you must remove the forend first, then the buttstock. Don't even try removing the buttstock first!

Look at Badger's excellent article, then check and see if your forend has the brass recoil plates in place in there. If it does and there is no cracking or other disasters happening then you're laughing. It certainly is a good looking example!
 
Thank you both for your help and kind words.

I plan to continue doing research into this rifle as time goes on regarding its markings and history. As far as that tiny crack goes, I will just leave well enough alone for now. When I found this rifle I was looking for more of a shooter grade rifle to take to the range, and not worry too much about. But having lucked out and found this MkIII* in as good of shape as it is, I'm not sure if I'd want to shoot it too much. Now I still need to find that more "experienced" range rifle.
 
MBman said:
Thank you both for your help and kind words.

I plan to continue doing research into this rifle as time goes on regarding its markings and history. As far as that tiny crack goes, I will just leave well enough alone for now. When I found this rifle I was looking for more of a shooter grade rifle to take to the range, and not worry too much about. But having lucked out and found this MkIII* in as good of shape as it is, I'm not sure if I'd want to shoot it too much. Now I still need to find that more "experienced" range rifle.
Click to expand...

I had a problem with my Lithgow, none of my bloody screwdrivers would fit the screws properly. Some of the slots are very narrow and very aggravating...beware of bunging heads.
Seems they want narrow parallel headed screwdrivers, not the normal tapering shape you can buy.
 
THAT is why in British and Australian gun making they are called TURN SCREWS...NOT screwdrivers, they are much narrower. Italian gun screw slots are thinner yet !!! Also hollow ground like CHAPMAN'S (tm).
 
wheaty said:
THAT is why in British and Australian gun making they are called TURN SCREWS...NOT screwdrivers, they are much narrower. Italian gun screw slots are thinner yet !!! Also hollow ground like CHAPMAN'S (tm).
Click to expand...

Funny thing is, I have no problem with other SMLE's and No 4's of various flavours, only with Lithgow...:mad:
 
 
MBman, nice find!!!!! definitely coachwood furniture ,there should be an ftr mark on the left side of the wrist just below the safety spring .
That type of spring was not normally used that late, from about mid 43 they used a flat spring which was just stamped out to save time ,but it's still correct for a 1917 made rifle.
Before you shoot it make sure the front action screw is as tight as you can make it, if it comes loose theres a good chance the forend will split from the action screw forward, and if that happens good luck finding a replacement( there hard to find in Australia)

cheers
Pete
 
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