Lithgow HB No. 1 MkIII* SMLE

Description

This is a good example of an accurised Lithgow No. 1 Mk III* HB which was a 'Range Rifle' as mentioned in Ian Skennerton's definitive book 'The Lee Enfield' which has been turned into a Telescopic Target Rifle post war. Since Lithgow SAF were the only manufacturer of the heavy barrel version of the No.1 MkIII* these became very popular with rifle clubs in Australia in the 1930's, as only CMF (Citizen Military Forces) personnel were allowed to own military calibre rifles & were required to shoot regularly. During WW2, the Australian government procured target rifles from rifle clubs under the National Securities Act. Rifle club members willingly handed over their SMLE's for the war effort & according to Ian Skennerton's book, many were used in the sniper program as they had already been accurised & were equipped with the heavy barrel, stamped with H. If not used in the Sniper program & made into a HT Sniper, (only around 1,600 were actually turned into HT Sniper rifles) these rifles were returned to their owners upon cessation of hostilities or if this was not possible for some reason, sold to target rifle clubs. We believe this is one of these which was then fitted with an original Field Instruments Company, Melbourne mount & matching 'Model 300A' 3 x power scope by a club member (see photos). This rifle is all matching numbers, has a 'H' marked barrel which has had thin cork strips inserted between the barrel & the wood in an attempt to float it. The barrel is marked 'MOTTY' which refers to H.J. Motton, a Sydney armourer who was well known for accurising these rifles. Motton is referenced in Ian Skennerton's book on pages 341 & 344 in relation to his work on former Sniper rifles or those formerly in the sniper program. Page 344 states "It is not uncommon to find commercially marked heavy barrels fitted to some Mk III* rifles, obviously ex-Rifle Club examples passed over to military service during the war & retained in the system afterwards. Such markings on the knox form such as 'MOTTY' & various propriety stamps may be seen''. No-one can be sure of the exact history of this rifle as these rarely come available, but this is surely a collectable old rifle. Whatever its provenance, this is undoubtedly an accurate & interesting rifle. Please view all of the photos carefully as they form the main description & override all others.

Specifications