1943 Australian produced No. 1, are you certain it was used in Europe? If so, probably not in NW Europe, but possibly in Italy. The European theatre received priority of supply - “Germany first” and so the No. 4, adopted by the British and Canadians in 1941 would have been the standard rifle supplied to British, Canadian, New Zealand, Indian and other troops attached to 21st Army Group (NW Europe) and 8th Army (Italy). Lithgow was the Australian Arms factory and supplied Australian and New Zealand forces throughout WWII, and by 1943 Australian army units were reassigned to the Pacific theatre. Your rifle is more likely to have been used in the Pacific theatre than in Europe.
You are probably right, from memory my researching of the markings in an old book said the FTR mark (field through repair) was done in europe. However would make sense if it was australia
@@Outbackarms Don’t take my comment as Gospel, although the vast majority of 21st Army Group was equipped with the No.4, the No.1 saw service right up to the end of the war with the 8th Army in Italy, so it may well have been supplied to them. No. 4’s were made by RSF Enfield and Fazackerly, BSA in Birmingham, Long Branch in Canada and Savage in the USA, with the vast majority of supply going to Europe, while the No. 1 Mk. III was still manufactured in Ishnapore and Lithgow. By 1945 British, Indian, Burmese and African troops in Burma were using a mix of No. 1’s and No. 4’s even down to Section level. However, Australia never adopted the No. 4, manufacturing the No. 1 into the 1950’s and used it during the Korean War. Even if your rifle didn’t make it to Europe it almost certainly had a very honourable service life - Papua New Guinea, Island Hopping across the Pacific, and possibly even service in Korea.
@keithorbell8946 yeah fascinating, your most likely correct. I'll have to keep researching just exactly where it was used but italy would be more likely
Imaging buy a Remington, like that at a farm sale for $50 with 200 rounds black cordite stick powder, in the 80s, then cutting the stock and maching scope mounts, to make it a hunting riffle, my brother, the idiot 😅 i guess sometimes guns get mistakenly swoped, when i shot the thing with open sights that were to far apart, like everyone had 20/20 vision back then.
It's how historical artefacts gain value over time. Stuff like that was not nearly as rare as it is today and given how inexpensive these rifles were, it can be argued that it may have been a sensible decision to turn it into a hunting rifle. It's a different story now though. I remember when IV8888 used to test a mint Arisaka with overpressured rounds a couple years back. They shot it up with a Garand at the end. I believe it still had the emperors seal. I wonder what he would tell himself if he could travel back in time.
Australia would have no reason to send the outdated SMLE to European forces especially in 1943. Their major priority was for the few troops the still had remaining in the pacific.
yeah im not to sure what the go was, the book i looked at said the markings on the reciever meant it had been sent too the front lines in europe but i probably miss read it and may have been sent to africa or more likely asia. But i dont know much just a bloke who likes his rifles
I also have a 1942 Lithgow lee enfield it even has the brass band that your one has, I also always wondered why it has the brass fitting instead of the steel one?
for some reason i prefer tangent sights over peep sights🇦🇺
I have one the same year and manufacture. It's my favorite possession.
Very nice
1943 Australian produced No. 1, are you certain it was used in Europe? If so, probably not in NW Europe, but possibly in Italy. The European theatre received priority of supply - “Germany first” and so the No. 4, adopted by the British and Canadians in 1941 would have been the standard rifle supplied to British, Canadian, New Zealand, Indian and other troops attached to 21st Army Group (NW Europe) and 8th Army (Italy). Lithgow was the Australian Arms factory and supplied Australian and New Zealand forces throughout WWII, and by 1943 Australian army units were reassigned to the Pacific theatre. Your rifle is more likely to have been used in the Pacific theatre than in Europe.
You are probably right, from memory my researching of the markings in an old book said the FTR mark (field through repair) was done in europe. However would make sense if it was australia
@@Outbackarms Don’t take my comment as Gospel, although the vast majority of 21st Army Group was equipped with the No.4, the No.1 saw service right up to the end of the war with the 8th Army in Italy, so it may well have been supplied to them. No. 4’s were made by RSF Enfield and Fazackerly, BSA in Birmingham, Long Branch in Canada and Savage in the USA, with the vast majority of supply going to Europe, while the No. 1 Mk. III was still manufactured in Ishnapore and Lithgow. By 1945 British, Indian, Burmese and African troops in Burma were using a mix of No. 1’s and No. 4’s even down to Section level. However, Australia never adopted the No. 4, manufacturing the No. 1 into the 1950’s and used it during the Korean War. Even if your rifle didn’t make it to Europe it almost certainly had a very honourable service life - Papua New Guinea, Island Hopping across the Pacific, and possibly even service in Korea.
@keithorbell8946 yeah fascinating, your most likely correct. I'll have to keep researching just exactly where it was used but italy would be more likely
Had one from 1943, selling it is my biggest regret
Visions of your granddaddy’s SMLE they brought back from Gallipoli.
No my poor brass well back re loading I guess
I'm looking for a lee enfield myself right now, but I dont even really know where to go. Where did you get yours?
hey mate got it from a family friend but theres loads for sale on usedguns.com and ozgunsales.com. they are good websites
@@Outbackarms Thanks man. I'll take a look. Wasn't really sure I those guys were trustworthy.
@rustyspartan4258 yeah its people selling through the website mostly, just be careful. I havnt had a problem with it so far
Imaging buy a Remington, like that at a farm sale for $50 with 200 rounds black cordite stick powder, in the 80s, then cutting the stock and maching scope mounts, to make it a hunting riffle, my brother, the idiot 😅 i guess sometimes guns get mistakenly swoped, when i shot the thing with open sights that were to far apart, like everyone had 20/20 vision back then.
yeah ken oath shame to see the sporterised versions. wish we could. buy them by the crate like the old daya
It's how historical artefacts gain value over time. Stuff like that was not nearly as rare as it is today and given how inexpensive these rifles were, it can be argued that it may have been a sensible decision to turn it into a hunting rifle. It's a different story now though. I remember when IV8888 used to test a mint Arisaka with overpressured rounds a couple years back. They shot it up with a Garand at the end. I believe it still had the emperors seal. I wonder what he would tell himself if he could travel back in time.
Australia would have no reason to send the outdated SMLE to European forces especially in 1943. Their major priority was for the few troops the still had remaining in the pacific.
yeah im not to sure what the go was, the book i looked at said the markings on the reciever meant it had been sent too the front lines in europe but i probably miss read it and may have been sent to africa or more likely asia. But i dont know much just a bloke who likes his rifles
I'm about to buy a Lithgow factory refurbished No.1 MKiii with Mues Special Vernier peep sight, anything to look out for ? It's from my local gun shop
I also have a 1942 Lithgow lee enfield it even has the brass band that your one has, I also always wondered why it has the brass fitting instead of the steel one?
Didnt even know that! I assumed they were all brass. I'll have to try do some research
Did Lithgow use gumwood for the stocks?
Coachwood apparently.
How much is one of these gonna run you in Australia? (Not counting the licensing/gun club fees and all the prerequisites for owning a firearm)
around 600-1000 depending on the qaulity. I got mine for $500
getting expensive , a matching bolt and gun serial number over a grand.
There is literally no way of telling where it went or if it left our shores.
This is a SMLE MkIII
Yes,yes it is
No1 Mklll* if you’re being picky
You did the reload a bit wrong-ish
This gun is a nightmare to the Japanese
ما اسم هذه البندقية
lee enfield SMLE mark 3