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SMLE or No.1?

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    Posted: March 11 2021 at 4:47pm
it is marked to the 5th military district [western austrailia] for home guard use , common in WWII , my BSA mkIII is marked to 3rd in the same way , it apparently was in great condition after WWI so escaped the changes , they would include pinning the adjustable rear sight or replacing it with a fixed one and removing the cutoff , 

our aussie members can add more , 

it looks a righteus rifle with target sights and sling attachment added to the trigger guard - nice thing , 

it is an SMLE but also a no1 as that nomenclature was added between the wars , no worries , 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote captaincaveman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 11 2021 at 3:47pm
would it not have some sold out of service mark somewhere, or at least the remnants of one?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smerdon42 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 11 2021 at 2:22pm
wow pretty rare rifle, a target based h barrel Lithgow with h on the buttstock was moreEthan likely a target rifle pressed back into service for ww2 and used by better skill at arms qualified diggers .
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote captaincaveman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 11 2021 at 11:52am
Hi all,

I have a Lithgow SMLE Mk. III 1916 with a heavy Barrel. Now as far as I can tell the heavy Barrel's were manufactured from 1932 onwards. Am I correct in thinking that? 

The rifle has lots of early Lithgow markings ( I will post pics) as well as a few MA later post 1926 markings which the butt shows as possibly being done in 1945 if not before.

Barrel does not have a date on it, but a curious AR marking? Has the SMLE Mk.III standard parts like windage sights, cut off, button cocking piece etc. Has Mues competition sights which I assume were for army marksmanship as there appear to be no sold out of service markings I can see.

As a non shooting UK deac it does not have matching numbers, quite common over here.

But I'm arguing with myself over a few things!

Would this be classed as an SMLE still or a No.1 because of the changes, or are they just seen as essential repairs along the way? I can see both sides and am wondering if there's an official view (not found a definition online as yet) ? I f only they came with a service history as to what and why stuff was done !









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