I just picked up a nice & mostly matching 1942 dated Lithgow from epps. It looks like its covered in shellac. Is it or is it just dried grease? No signs of ftr but the butt is dated 43. Is it a replacement? Before anybody asks, pics will be forthcoming.
Question for the Lithgow experts
- Thread starter desporterizer
- Start date
Not a military thing, but it was a common thing back in 'the olden days' to spray the whole rifle with shellac. The idea was to preserve wood and metal against the elements for use outdoors. And though it looked like crap, it did do its intended job well.
It will strip off with the use of acetone or paint stripper, you will probabley find the surface underneath in nice condition.
Or it might just be many coats of BLO on wood and metal, I have seen that. It would clean off easily too.
It will strip off with the use of acetone or paint stripper, you will probabley find the surface underneath in nice condition.
Or it might just be many coats of BLO on wood and metal, I have seen that. It would clean off easily too.
Last edited:
WAIT! I doubt it's shellac!
Many late Lithgow refurbs were paintbrushed in service with a hot mixture of BLO and Coal Tar Kreosote.
This mix hardens into a shellac-looking coating and where it got on the metal forms a yellowy crust often mistaken for shellac.
Disassemble the rifle and look where the handguards meet the forestock. If it's factory, there will be hardened dark-brown to blackish looking residue where the mix leeched between the wood when applied. I usually scrape this off with a flattened brass casing mouth.
The over-splash on the metal comes off with a light rubbing of fine steel wool. I'd leave the coating on the wood as it's correct if it's what I described.
Many late Lithgow refurbs were paintbrushed in service with a hot mixture of BLO and Coal Tar Kreosote.
This mix hardens into a shellac-looking coating and where it got on the metal forms a yellowy crust often mistaken for shellac.
Disassemble the rifle and look where the handguards meet the forestock. If it's factory, there will be hardened dark-brown to blackish looking residue where the mix leeched between the wood when applied. I usually scrape this off with a flattened brass casing mouth.
The over-splash on the metal comes off with a light rubbing of fine steel wool. I'd leave the coating on the wood as it's correct if it's what I described.
Dates
The date on the rifle is it manufacture date the one on the butte is a issue date. If it is still there check for SLAZ (Slazenger) date on wood parts this will be there manufacture dates. Also check the barrel knox date to see if it was re-barreled. Nice fine if it is all matching.
The date on the rifle is it manufacture date the one on the butte is a issue date. If it is still there check for SLAZ (Slazenger) date on wood parts this will be there manufacture dates. Also check the barrel knox date to see if it was re-barreled. Nice fine if it is all matching.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
Your butt stock is almost certainly original to the action.
The butt date is the completion military acceptance date. It is quite common for Lithgows to be completed in the year following the action production date.
As a matter of interest, check the knox form for the barrel assembly (breeching) date. It could easily be either 1942 or 1943. Other dates would indicate FTR replacement.
Check the left side of the butt socket for an FTR date, usually "MA 54" or similar.
Agreed. It is VERY common for the butt date to be a year later than the receiver date - this means only that the receiver was finished in November or December but the rifle was assembled in January or February.
From 1945 onward, it is also pretty common to see no date at all on the barrel, but by 1954 or so, the date reappeared. During this timeframe you also often see A P on top of the knox form which would have indicated a ww2 spare barrel meant to serve as replacement at a first line repair shop.
My personal theory is that these "P" barrels were used up in production in 1945 when hostilities were winding down since production of SMLE's was being throttled and lots of spare barrels were available. They are also often not serialized. You see this on brand new unissued 1945 dated SMLEs.
From 1945 onward, it is also pretty common to see no date at all on the barrel, but by 1954 or so, the date reappeared. During this timeframe you also often see A P on top of the knox form which would have indicated a ww2 spare barrel meant to serve as replacement at a first line repair shop.
My personal theory is that these "P" barrels were used up in production in 1945 when hostilities were winding down since production of SMLE's was being throttled and lots of spare barrels were available. They are also often not serialized. You see this on brand new unissued 1945 dated SMLEs.
