Enfield-Rifles.com Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Enfields > Enfield Rifles
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Tell me what I bought
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Tell me what I bought

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
CaptainSlow View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: March 13 2018
Location: New Jersey
Status: Offline
Points: 4
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CaptainSlow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Tell me what I bought
    Posted: March 13 2018 at 3:46am
I just picked this up, I am not sure the seller knew exactly the history on this. I took pictures of the markings i could find. Any info on what it is I actually bought would be great. The rifle has been sporterized.

Pictures here https://photos.app.goo.gl/rWbE9vUoWP3kkLuk2
Back to Top
A square 10 View Drop Down
Special Member
Special Member
Avatar
Donating Member

Joined: December 12 2006
Location: MN , USA
Status: Offline
Points: 14452
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 13 2018 at 3:02pm
well you bought a sported australian , Lithgow SMLE mkIII , it looks well done when sported and has a nice clean look to it , looks to be a 1926 rifle 
Back to Top
CaptainSlow View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: March 13 2018
Location: New Jersey
Status: Offline
Points: 4
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CaptainSlow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 13 2018 at 3:35pm
Thanks, the guy I bought it from (nicest guy) said it was 1944, when I saw it I said "it says 1928 right on here", he still stuck with 1944.

Also this is my first rifle ever, and I am super happy with it.  I love the way it looks.

What about the serial numbers, there are two on the barrel, one matches the bolt, the other from what I read should have a prefix letter given its age.   I am still learning what I can about these rifles.
Back to Top
Honkytonk View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 30 2017
Location: Brandon Mb
Status: Offline
Points: 4770
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Honkytonk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 13 2018 at 5:04pm
Very nice and clean! Rear site gives it away. Definitely pre-1944.
Back to Top
Stanforth View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: January 08 2017
Location: Oxford England
Status: Offline
Points: 773
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stanforth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 14 2018 at 2:45am
The date error could be that it was a 1920's rifle modified in 1944.
Life.. a sexually transmitted condition that is invariably fatal.
Back to Top
A square 10 View Drop Down
Special Member
Special Member
Avatar
Donating Member

Joined: December 12 2006
Location: MN , USA
Status: Offline
Points: 14452
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 14 2018 at 2:38pm
i agree with stanforth , it may have a 44 barrel or perhaps one of those numbers comes up as a 44 [arsenal refurb] or perhaps the stock is marked 44 somewhere , that would be a replacement , the action definetly dates to 26 or 28 whatever that says on the wrist , i cannot see anymore , 

lithgow made the mkIII 22-41 after a brief change to mkIII* in 18-19 era , and back to mkIII* again in 41 , in the 26-28 period they were using a "B" prefix in their serial numbers , i dont know a lot more about lithgows beyond that for production but we have some members that are well versed and may even correct something , 

they used queensland maple for the stocks in the early years and switched to austrailian coachwood around 1941 , thats when Slazenger started making stocks as well - they oved the woodshop from lithgow , 

FWIW your backsight looks to be a fixed mkIII* type 
Back to Top
CaptainSlow View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: March 13 2018
Location: New Jersey
Status: Offline
Points: 4
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CaptainSlow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 14 2018 at 2:50pm
Thanks for the feedback guys, hopefully I will get to shoot it this weekend.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.04
Copyright ©2001-2021 Web Wiz Ltd.