No1 MkIIIs

[oldlithgow]

I posted this picture in the picture post area but I think we need a couple of stickies for Canadian, British, Russian, German, US, and all others in the Milsurp area to post pics.
I believe it would be more appropriate to flow with the topic at hand.

All but two are rebuilt from sporters or broken full stocks, in most cases I like to keep the original parts and stocks but some have been sourced to have only appropriate manufacturers marked parts. Still more to restore out there.

 

[louthepou]

I think your devotion to the No1Mk3 is greater than mine! Very nice!

Lou

 

[AdrianM]

Wow...Great collection.

I'm on the other end of the spectrum...looking to buy my first restoration candidate.

 

[enfield1]

Very nice, very nice indeed. Great to see the old ladies back to their former glory.

 

[x westie]

Hell of a nice collection of the famous SMLE, you should charge admission for us CGN's to view,,,lol

 

[bogusiii]

How the heck did you take that picture? I mean, where were you to fit them all in?

 

[Claven2]

I like the 7th from the top, looks to be a proper pre-1915 MkIII. Restoration? If so, must have been tough to find the fore stock.

What are the years and makers depicted?

At least 5 of them are readily identifiable as either Lithgows or Australian rebuilds of British made SMLEs.

 

[nelly]

Leave a few for the rest of us!!!



Nice collection!

 

[oldlithgow]

No.1 mk III update

Here is a list in order top to bottom:
1. 1915 Lithgow (needs Lithgow volley sight)
2. 1917 Lithgow (h)
3. 1942 Lithgow
4. 1929 Lithgow
5. 1941 Lithgow
6. 1942 Lithgow
7. 1900 BSA Co Sht L.E. ConD IV ( converted Mk1*)
8. 1915 Enfield (original configuration worn barrel but will soon have a .22 conversion)
9. 1909 BSA (needs proper for-stock)
10. 1918 BSA (Canadian Navy)
11. 1909 BSA (marked N.S.W.)
12. 1918 BSA (FTR date 1952)
13. 1944 Ishapore
14. 1918 Enfield (Australian Issued)
15. 1917 LSA (New Zealand Issued)

I have a few more waiting for part but early MkIII wood is hard to find and Lithgow wood is like looking for buried treasure. I have a 1913 Lithgow (FTR) that I would like to build soon and a couple of Lithgows 1918 &1917 waiting for fore-stocks. All the numbers match the bolt and receiver but most being ex-sporters don't have the nose numbers matching but are from the proper manufacture. I am always on the look-out for 1914, 1916, and 1919 Lithgows and for the treasures such as a Lithgow trigger guard with a un-milled swivel (1917) and volley sights.
I took the picture from a step ladder and hoped for the best.

 

[gordonlbyrne]

awesome verry nice lots of satisfaction and enjoyment in sourseing out parts and putting these rifles back together I'm sure.sure is great to see them all now if only I could touch them

 

[englishman_ca]

"a Lithgow trigger guard with a un-milled swivel (1917)"

Wot is that?

 

[oldlithgow]

This is an excerpt from Ian Skennerton& Brian Labudda Small Arms Identification Series “Australian SMLE Variations”
Pg. 28 Showing the trigger guard variations and years see the second in from the left.

"a Lithgow trigger guard with a un-milled swivel (1917)"

Wot is that?

 

[englishman_ca]

Wow! Thanks for that tidbit, duly noted. I have encountered all of the others, but I have never come across a trigger guard like that. If I do, I'll snag it for you!

 

[kjohn]

Very nice indeed!!! If some of those old "smellies" could talk, we would all be like kids sitting on the floor listening to Grandpa talk about the old days.

 

[stevebc]

I have a few more waiting for part but early MkIII wood is hard to find and Lithgow wood is like looking for buried treasure. I have a 1913 Lithgow (FTR) that I would like to build soon and a couple of Lithgows 1918 &1917 waiting for fore-stocks. All the numbers match the bolt and receiver but most being ex-sporters don't have the nose numbers matching but are from the proper manufacture.

Sounds like me- I've a 1917 Lithgow Mk.III that also needs a fore-end and related parts. While I'd love some lighter coloured wood to match the butt, I'd take any wood I could get at this point. I have managed to find a Lithgow nose-cap, though.