SMLE query on double serial numbers |
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TwoFourThree
Newbie Joined: September 06 2021 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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Posted: September 06 2021 at 10:56pm |
Acquired a No 1 Mk 3* recently that has two, four digit serial numbers on the receiver ring. It is a 1942 Lithgow. The lower number matches the bolt and nosecap, although the nosecap has had its original number overstamped at some point.
The rifle has a H barrel, is full wood, and is in range rifle configuration. Neither number is correct for a '42 Lithgow. Can anybody offer a credible explanation for the meaning of the double serial numbers ? Photo below. |
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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noy uncommon but i dont have references on hand at the moment to help explain it in detail , im sure someone who does will jump in here ,
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Homer
Senior Member Joined: January 01 2013 Location: Brisbane Status: Offline Points: 664 |
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replacement action of an earlier rifle possibly.
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SGonger
Senior Member Joined: February 20 2021 Location: Utah U.S.A Status: Offline Points: 418 |
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Howdy y’all;A couple of more photo’s with the rear upper hand-guard removed & from the opposite side might be helpful for those here........if possible.
Cheer’s today.
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Anyone seen the Tardis Box anywhere? 🤨
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BJ72
Senior Member Joined: August 24 2019 Location: Qld Australia Status: Offline Points: 109 |
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I'd be leaning to agree with Homer. There's plenty of examples out other of Lithgow rebuilding rifles on new actions and applying the original rifle serial number. We refer to them as replacement rifles. I have one in my collection. It's marked as being refurbished in November 1945 (R MA 11/45) but it was built on a new 1945 receiver with a pre 1918 serial number applied. My rifle is like most rifles refurbished at Lithgow in the late 40's. The serial number is applied to the bolt and action only and all other components are unnumbered. In your case the bottom number will be your rifles serial number and the top number could be a unit or rack number. It was common for early Australian SMLE's to have the unit or rack number stamped on the receiver above the serial number. The only reason I say, could, is I'm not sure why they would still be applying them by 1942 or later. I thought that practice had stopped by then but I could be wrong. Perhaps they just copied both numbers off the old receiver. Other examples of replacement receivers I've seen didn't have a unit or rack number applied. For example I've seen a 1945 Lithgow receiver with an A prefix serial number. The practice of building replacement rifles seems to have been quite common at Lithgow.
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My idea of gun control is hitting what I aim at and nothing else.
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Homer
Senior Member Joined: January 01 2013 Location: Brisbane Status: Offline Points: 664 |
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All correct. I only said possibly because we can't see the rest of the rifle to give it context. I’d say the double numbering is as you say, it was applied because it was on the previous action. Don’t think I’ve seen it before either.
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BJ72
Senior Member Joined: August 24 2019 Location: Qld Australia Status: Offline Points: 109 |
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Yes, as Homer says, more pictures please TwoForThree. Lets see the rest of your fine rifle
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My idea of gun control is hitting what I aim at and nothing else.
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TwoFourThree
Newbie Joined: September 06 2021 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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Thanks BJ72.
My other SMLE is a '44 Lithgow with an A prefix serial number. Butt and forewood and nosecap are serial number marked and matching. Both are range rifles with 50's H Barrels fitted.
Neither have Assembly numbers on their receivers. I am intending to use the 'front end' wood off the '42 to 'restore' a cut back .22 conversion (not original manufacturer). |
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TwoFourThree
Newbie Joined: September 06 2021 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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As requested, more photos.
Aperture sight is a MUES. Sling is new, unissued. Fitted just before photo taken. |
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BJ72
Senior Member Joined: August 24 2019 Location: Qld Australia Status: Offline Points: 109 |
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Nice rifle While we might all chase those elusive all matching original rifles, these old range rifles are almost a collector category all of their own. A nice piece of history you can still take out and put to use.
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My idea of gun control is hitting what I aim at and nothing else.
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