View Full Version : 1944 Lithgow SMLE III*
NIB. Never had a round in it. Thank you Santa.
...........................:thumbup:.............. .......
Patria Povo
12-26-2008, 12:27 PM
Nice one!
What are the import markings on it?
Planning
12-26-2008, 01:01 PM
now that is really a nice looking rifle.:thumbup: thanks for the pictures. :airtight:
Patria Povo
12-26-2008, 01:26 PM
Cool - if you had a JJ Co NY NY receiver stamp on an 'unissued' Lithgow, I'd be telling Santa's elves' to run for cover!
wwIIBuff
12-26-2008, 01:39 PM
Great rifle
Cool - if you had a JJ Co NY NY receiver stamp on an 'unissued' Lithgow, I'd be telling Santa's elves' to run for cover!
Why?
Nazgul
12-26-2008, 02:49 PM
HOLY!!!Crap!:eek:
Patria Povo
12-26-2008, 03:02 PM
Why?
They bought up some un-used and suspect parts from a Lithgow fire-sale about 15 years ago to cobble-together some rifles to sell as vintage and unissued. They may be good shooters - but they aren't what they were being sold as.
This gives a bit of extra info, though I think there is a more detailed article out there somewhere: http://www.angelfire.com/nh/milarm/fakes.html
Mine's a 44 too! They are my fave Lithgow's for history. Looks like yours might be just post the brass barrel-band era, but you still have some lovely coachwood there. :thumbup: Looks like an MA wrist-band and E=series - all good.
Now you need a matching Slazenger-made MA bayonet! And a brass MA oil bottle for the stock, if you don't already have one. I have a few Australian friends who would swap a left nut to be able to own that rifle back home!
Receiver and nose cap are matching, I have not had time to look closer., I just checked head space it won't close on the field or the no-go but takes an original MkVII round no problem. I think I have a complete rifle, I just put the first round through the action it has ever seen outside Lithgow. In the JJ Co. buy I have read there were some complete rifles and lots of parts assembled rifles. The wood is all SLAZ. A bayonet would be nice should you see one with the coach wood stocks.
Patria Povo
12-26-2008, 03:57 PM
The wood is all SLAZ. A bayonet would be nice should you see one with the coach wood stocks.
I had a Slazenger tennis racquet as a kid! I'm not sure they ever used coachwood in the bayonets - I have a couple of bayonet handles ('43 and '44) that look more like Queensland maple or maybe Jarrah.
Again, congrat's on a great rifle!
Otis61
12-26-2008, 06:06 PM
That has got to be the nicest milsurp I think I have ever seen.
Norton
12-26-2008, 08:55 PM
[QUOTE=Patria Povo;117287]I had a Slazenger tennis racquet as a kid! I'm not sure they ever used coachwood in the bayonets - I have a couple of bayonet handles ('43 and '44) that look more like Queensland maple or maybe Jarrah.
QUOTE]
First MJ that is a great looking rifle.. Those Aussie stocks alway looked the best IMO..
Second Povo did that Slazenger company make golf equipment ?
I remember a scene from Goldfinger when they mentioned Slazenger #7
brewskzilla
12-26-2008, 09:18 PM
Ah, yes, the Smelly... I still think it's just as accurate as anything out there, INCLUDING the k-31. Just my opinion, but you have yourself a beautiful rifle there.
Patria Povo
12-29-2008, 10:26 AM
Second Povo did that Slazenger company make golf equipment ?
I remember a scene from Goldfinger when they mentioned Slazenger #7
Yep, golf clubs, cricket bats and tennis racquets made their name that is still going strong: http://www.slazenger.com.au/Equipment/Cricket/Bats.asp?node=SubNode0_1
I think the Brit Slazenger also made stocks for their no.4 SMLEs during the war years.
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