If you contact the Australian war memorial museum in Canberra Australia they can use the serial number of the rifle to trace what regiment of the Australian army this rifle was issued to
@ima4ster
6 жыл бұрын
Good tip. Thanks. I'll look into it.
@mattrich7998
6 жыл бұрын
ima4ster the AWM will not have that information at all. There is next to no chance of tracing the serial number sadly.
@ima4ster
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for posting this info.
@josemoreno3334
6 жыл бұрын
I down loaded the pdf. Thank you so very much for this grate info. My rifle was made in 1917. Now i can find out more about it's history. Thanks .
@MrConspark
2 жыл бұрын
There is a museum at Lithgow NSW (where this one was made) they might have Serial number information or Ian Skennertons Small arms Identification manuals are a good place to start.
@johnbrigg1776
Жыл бұрын
SMLE was still the British Army’s standard infantry weapon in the 1950’s and on which I trained in 1954. We we taught to NEVER refer to a rifle as a gun. A rifle fires a single bullet round whereas a gun fires a pellet round with many pellets. Also, NEVER apply the safety catch with the thumb. In the video, this is well illustrated. You can see quite clearly, that it is quite easy to fire the rifle accidentally with the forefinger when applying the safety catch with the thumb. Accidental discharge can have disastrous consequences, so the golden rule is to apply the safety catch with FOREFINGER and release with THUMB which can give a fractional time advantage between Release and Fire
@ima4ster
Жыл бұрын
Great input. In 1954, I was still a gleam in my parent's eyes. You have me by at least 19-20 years.
@josemoreno3334
3 ай бұрын
Mine was made in 1917 in Australia by Lithgow. No 1 Mk III*. It's in good shape and shoots great. Good video.
@ima4ster
2 ай бұрын
Thanks for commenting.
@MountainRaven1960
2 жыл бұрын
A nice gun I trained on as a young school cadet back in the 1970’s. As for Lithgow, I go there to do my shopping, passing by the small arms factory. They used to make Tic Tacs out at Lithgow too BTW.
@ima4ster
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for passing on your personal connections.
@graemesydney38
6 жыл бұрын
The rifle was always reloaded by a 5 round stripper clip placed in the bridge over the breach. To my knowledge they were only issued with one mag which was permanently stored attached to the rifle . (I have never seen one drop away so easily as your's did). Very accurate once you get use to the sights. Kicks like a mule and as reliable as a stone axe. They were issued with a khaki canvas sling (not leather).
@allangibson8494
5 жыл бұрын
They were originally issued with two magazines prior to WW1. The addition of stripper clip guides made this academic and it was stopped during WW1.
@garymckee8857
4 жыл бұрын
I had a US manufactured one never had any problem with recoil.
@MichaelKingsfordGray
Жыл бұрын
When I had one in the Army, we had several loaded magazines in our webbing pouches. We used to pre-load the mags, by hand, in the comfort of our camp, before heading off. Of course, we also carried multiple stripper clips. Your knowledge is faulty.
@LAFO-es5xt
5 жыл бұрын
Wow, a yank that can pronounce Lithgow correctly. Good on ya!
@ima4ster
5 жыл бұрын
It was sheer luck....I assure you. :)
@Emu10005
4 жыл бұрын
@@ima4ster Yes Mate,,,,Australian!! :-) lol My Uncle fought in New Guinea against the Japanese,,
@GreetingsandSalutations4007
4 жыл бұрын
That “Australia” is an import mark. Meaning that he purchased this rifle post-war
@ima4ster
4 жыл бұрын
Good to know. Thanks.
@GreetingsandSalutations4007
4 жыл бұрын
ima4ster you’re welcome! I hope that wasn’t bad news as it’s entirely possible that rifle served in proximity to your relative because the Australians saw a lot of action in the Pacific theater and they used this model of Lee Enfield.
@zhukie
6 жыл бұрын
FTR - Factory Through Repair, meaning the entire gun was gone over painstakingly and every necessary part replaced and returned to original factory specifications. Plus the (US-mandated) 'AUSTRALIA' dealer import stamping indicates that it was not a bringback
@ima4ster
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info. I wish I had asked my father-in-law more about his WWII weapons when he was younger.
@MyHollowpoint
8 жыл бұрын
Nice keepsake. Wished I had bought one when they were abundant. Worth considerably more now.
@ima4ster
8 жыл бұрын
Was it common to bring back weapons when you were in Korea?
@MyHollowpoint
8 жыл бұрын
Only if you wanted to do time. 68-69 was a different attitude :)
@Harbisondude
8 жыл бұрын
T., stripper clips were used to "re-charge" the rifle. The Garand 8-round en-bloc clip was a descendant of the system. We used stripper clips with the Springfield rifles and even today, 5.56 ammo comes on stripper clips for the magazines. That A.11 does indeed look like a "rack number" so that soldiers could grab the correct rifle when moving out of the barracks, I.E., during a alert drill.
@ima4ster
8 жыл бұрын
Good point about the stripper clips. Before uploading the video I realized that I forgot to mention them and gave the wrong impression about reloading, but this darn video took so long to make that I just figured that I'd mention it in the comments. I was counting on you bringing it up! :)
@thepatriot7153
Жыл бұрын
They were intended to be loaded with a five round stripper clip from above through the slot towards the rear.
@ima4ster
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for your feedback.
@solomongrundy9735
6 жыл бұрын
Lovely old warhorse, plenty of character.
@ima4ster
6 жыл бұрын
Yes, hopefully future generations will appreciate them as much as we do.
@Robert.72
6 жыл бұрын
Nice. I like the woodwork. Has character. FTR as you said. WW2 refurbishment. Seems that the bolt rear is early WW1, the markings say 1942, but the sight protectors indicate 1944 onwards (holes to give more light under the jungle canopy in the SW Pacific). All looks like a tight action, though. A nice example therefore of a country making do, and adapting weapons to current conditions in WW2. Australian 303 stamp is US import marking. You don't see that locally. Grateful for responses that rebut, as I'm only a novice.....:) cheers
@ima4ster
6 жыл бұрын
If you're a novice....not sure what that makes me. :) Thanks for the comment and hopefully others will chime in.
@deogratias273
5 жыл бұрын
The magazine was reloaded from above using a clip holding 5 rounds. Two clips for a reload.
@ima4ster
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for commenting.
@caption729
5 жыл бұрын
So why does it have a removable magazine
@genelangston7194
4 жыл бұрын
@@caption729 In case the original magazine, being exposed, was damaged.
@Seagullias12
2 жыл бұрын
@@caption729 for cleaning purposes. Also; easier to replace the magazine platform and 'W'spring should you need to. Constantly loading the magazine to capacity (10 rounds) would eventually weaken the spring; making the feeding up of new rounds less effective. The normal 'service' condition during patrols was for only 5 rounds to be placed in the magazine. 'Charging' the weapon to full capacity only took place once action was joined. The average carrying load of ammo was 150 rounds in 5 round charger clips, secured in a 5 pocket cotton bandolier (2 clips per pocket). One bandolier in each of two 'Basic pouches', and the third carried loosely for quick access: usually worn slung from the shoulder across the body. Nice looking weapon: only ever wipe it down with either gun oil or 'Linseed Oil'. Don't lacquer it or polish. The wood will sweat.
@myday805
7 жыл бұрын
The Mag was loaded by 2x 5 round stripper clips. A lot of surplus 303's were sent to the US for sale. Even more so once tougher gun controls came in.
@ima4ster
7 жыл бұрын
Did I forget to mention that. Thanks for the reminder.
@zhukie
6 жыл бұрын
You have "tougher gun controls"? Sorry, but as an Australian gun owner that is just a bit amusing lol
@allangibson8494
4 жыл бұрын
Prior to the MkIII the Lee Metfords and Lee Enfields were issued with two magazines - one chained to the rifle and one loose. Stripper clips were added after the Boer War experience with the Boer 1893 Mausers as it greatly sped up loading after the first twenty shots were fired.
@mattrich7998
7 жыл бұрын
Also the AUSTRALIA stamped on the receiver is a common stamp on rifles that have been imported into the USA.
@josemoreno3334
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for that info.
@johnnyasus86
5 жыл бұрын
Wrong, every single Lithgow rifle has it, at least the ones I saw
@seeker6213
6 жыл бұрын
Smell the wood - the furniture on these rifles is made out of coachwood. I believe it grows only in Australia. Very pleasant caramel smell, love it!
@ima4ster
6 жыл бұрын
That's a neat detail...especially since I'm into wood. Thanks!
@zhukie
6 жыл бұрын
Not at all only Coachwood...there were many local woods sourced for SMLEs c1.staticflickr.com/3/2813/10717748265_7c89670ac7_c.jpg c1.staticflickr.com/6/5493/10718030773_def1d96fb0_c.jpg c1.staticflickr.com/3/2880/10718068603_094bcb60a1_c.jpg c1.staticflickr.com/4/3806/10717892455_32217439b9_c.jpg c1.staticflickr.com/4/3710/10718191083_db974118bc_b.jpg c1.staticflickr.com/3/2836/10718013996_b3c2d93668_b.jpg c1.staticflickr.com/4/3752/10718301313_6b6c9b990d_b.jpg
@robman2095
3 жыл бұрын
@@zhukie But this particular one is most likely to be coachwood according to the write-up in your last listed jpg if it was made in 1942
@WasatchGarandMan
8 жыл бұрын
Thats a really nice example of a Lithgow No. 1 MkIII*! Lithgows seem to be the nicest example of the rifle in general but this ones really nice. If you are looking to shoot it often you can get a box of Wolf steel case for around 10 bucks a box on line
@ima4ster
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tip. I would like to take it to range....maybe a future video.
@TheDanCarr
3 жыл бұрын
A lot of people here in Australia refer to the SMLE as the Smelly. This wasn't because we didn't like the gun (a lot of us love the old Lee Enfield), it's just simply weird Australian humour
@ima4ster
3 жыл бұрын
I like it!
@Barbac62
6 жыл бұрын
in 1955 my father purchasing a lee Enfield .303 from a Hardwarestore in Canada with pretty much the same marking as yours . it came over on a boat from England . he paid $35.00 for it . this stock has been modified for sporting use. it also looks like it has holes drilled for a sniper scope .it has the same sights as you have . first thing he did was clean the barrel as it was full of grease from the boat trip. the Australian army was with the British army in Europe some working their way up threw Italy others threw France. Australia also shipped rifles to England to help out with supply as did other dominion countries. I am thinking that when the war was over the soldiers put their rifles in a storage area got on the boat and went home years later the British government needed the money and sold them to who ever. my father gave it to me and I use it for mostly deer hunting . I priced out a stripper clip and in Canada a five round charger is $100.00 (Ouch). he also bought a leather belt that has nine pouches each holds ten rounds of ammunition. That stays home . in case any one asks not for sale .I contacted Lighgow and they told me that they have no way of tracing a rifle when it left the factory . if it is anything like mine you have an awesome gun
@ernesttusekoafrika1216
4 жыл бұрын
I have it also but I am not sure how the rear sight works can you please teach me how to use?
@Barbac62
4 жыл бұрын
@@ernesttusekoafrika1216 push the button in on the left side of the back sight.
@ernesttusekoafrika1216
4 жыл бұрын
@@Barbac62 yes that I know. There are numbers on the back site which I think it's distance to the target. That's where I don't understand. Please help
@Barbac62
4 жыл бұрын
@@ernesttusekoafrika1216 on the video at 4:57 you see the numbers going up from 2-20, that is in one hundred yards. On the left side of where those lines cross is a button. This gun looks set for 200 yards. You push that in and the sight will move forward, that is for longer range shooting. You may need some oil to loosen it
@ernesttusekoafrika1216
4 жыл бұрын
@@Barbac62 thank you very much.
@australianmade2659
5 жыл бұрын
Just a beautiful rifle. Lithgow is still making rifles today. 🇦🇺👍🏻
@ima4ster
5 жыл бұрын
I didn't realize that. Thanks for sharing.
@martinbooth8684
4 жыл бұрын
It's top fed with 2 clips of 5 rounds each. The clips fit the groove and then are discarded
@ima4ster
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for commenting.
@rowanbae4733
7 жыл бұрын
holy shit! Lithgow isnt too far from my hometown! Great video, mate!
@ima4ster
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I learned a lot by making it.
@carblingautomotive
6 жыл бұрын
these are great guns 303 brit should be easy to find if you want to shoot ,lithgow nsw Australia,factory still exists today if you want to chase parts or history.... value with matching numbers is about $1000 aussie dolars say $700 us....lots of people bought war stuff home and plenty of enfields in usa collecters ....some us soldiers used these guns mainly in new guinee .. you should be able to buy stripper clips still it holds 10 unlike most other bolt actions which hold 5 or 6 rounds....
@waynemcauliffe-fv5yf
Жыл бұрын
Cheers mate
@ima4ster
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for stopping by.
@randallkelley3599
8 жыл бұрын
Jeff Cooper always said, a 308 or equivalent bolt gun is about as good as it gets. I like the scout idea for a rifle, so I bought a 16" M1a....Great vid and most cool rifle...
@ima4ster
8 жыл бұрын
The only thing left is to take it to the range and shoot it!
@brianoutlaw7406
6 жыл бұрын
ima4ster the safety on my smie is not crisp unless I hold it manually. Is this correct or what is the fix?
@danmcnew1334
5 жыл бұрын
The a11 mine has a number also inventory number it is a lot of these rifles have that when crated up .
@brendanmuscat867
5 жыл бұрын
WW1 issue original as the striker is the push button style and not the 3 grooved style used in WW2. And the sling is a WW1 issue being leather and not webbing. The Australia mark means that it was issued to another country (probably the US) and it was FTR'D for service in WW2. If you look at the barrel knox form it'll have a month and year in which the FTR took place. Also I'm sorry to say that this rifle is far from original as most of the parts are WW2 style like the rear sight, rear sight wings (no lightening dimples) Still a nice SMLE though
@ima4ster
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info. I had to do my own research primarily based on KZitem videos. Unfortunately, I never discussed his war guns with my father-in-law.
@YouNormalBloke
5 жыл бұрын
According to the Australian War Memorial D prefix serial number were from "late 1941 to 1942" - www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/australian-issued-rifles-and-bayonets-first-world-war
@wattlebough
5 жыл бұрын
ima4ster Well done, sir, in pronouncing Lithgow correctly. That's music to this Aussie's ears.
@ima4ster
5 жыл бұрын
I assure you it was completely by accident. :)
@kevinwilson9589
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks, now I know how to pronounce the name of my rifle!
@averageoutdoorsmannz2015
3 жыл бұрын
WNTRS could be short for the surname Winters. And A11 could be a quality grading. Just shooting in the wind though.
@ima4ster
3 жыл бұрын
Sounds reasonable.
@sgtmajvimy
5 жыл бұрын
No. 1 mk. III. 1942 ? Ok. Interesting. Never knew they made the older no.1 mark III so late. The stubby nose of this classic rifle is the easy way to spot them. I have one from 1917. The III on the band refers to Mark III. The never said no. 1 on on it since it was the only one at the time they were created. So in WWI they were referred to as Mark III. In WWII, they were replaced here in Canada and the UK with the No. 4, Mk. I. SMLE. Australia had coastal watchers on various islands in the pacific. They would have been armed with current weaponry at the start of WWII, and probably not upgraded. US troops would have encountered/interacted with them during their island hopping campaign. This might give you a started point for more research. Interesting. Thank you for sharing this. For the markings, look up a Canadian gun store called Marstar. They have a list of L.E. SMLE markings. Again ,this should help you.
@ima4ster
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info. I wish I had talked more with my father-in-law about his guns and swords. I'll check out Marstar.
@allangibson8494
5 жыл бұрын
Australia never made the Mk 4 as Lithgow got caught with Mk 3 tooling setup when world war 2 started. You will see Lithgow SMLE's with up to 1953 dates as it was used in the Korean War.
@scottmcgahey9720
3 жыл бұрын
lithgow never retooled for the mark 4 they only ever made mark 3s
@Tihrig
5 жыл бұрын
I know youd never sell your lithgow smle... But if you do. Id be willing to pay for it. I'm an Australian native and moved to the states as a child, legally :) I'm 100% American though in heart and spirit. I wish to thank your father-in-law... Thank you sir for your service.
@ima4ster
5 жыл бұрын
It has a sentimental value that goes beyond its historic value for the family. Some day, everything will have to go though. Thanks for commenting.
@scottbeyl4543
3 жыл бұрын
I have a 1941 Lithgow SMLE with the magazine cutoff.
@ima4ster
3 жыл бұрын
Have you ever shot yours?
@scottbeyl4543
3 жыл бұрын
@@ima4ster yes I have. Dad got it out of a barrel of import 303s sometime in the 1950s. He cleaned the cosmoline off and finished it with linseed oil. Tight old gun. I haven't shot it in decades. I found a bayonet within a year or two of its date.
@mattrich7998
7 жыл бұрын
On the knox of the barrel there will be two D's and a number between them.Can you tell us what that number is? as that number will designate what military district its from in Australia
@ima4ster
7 жыл бұрын
I'll check as soon as I can and get back to you.
@wattlebough
5 жыл бұрын
Military districts in Australia during WW2? That's new. What do you mean?
@simonvandoren1181
2 жыл бұрын
Walnut stock . Chinese stamps.i have the same.x Philippines police. Lithgow was a arms Depo in england.they trained what they had left during blitzkrieg to Hong Kong.
@ima4ster
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info.
@badpossum440
2 жыл бұрын
Lithgow is (even today) an arms factory in New South Wales Australia, it is the primary army weapons maker in Australia, nothing to do with England.
@michaelworsley3341
7 жыл бұрын
your rifle mark A 11 is a School cadet rifle and the letters on the butt is from the school it was issued too
@ima4ster
7 жыл бұрын
That answers that question. Good to know. Are you a student of the Lee Enfields?
@michaelworsley3341
7 жыл бұрын
ima4ster No not really i used one in cadets, loved it but would still prefer my old L1A1 (FN FAL)
@Moonbahmemories
5 жыл бұрын
michael worsley z
@Moonbahmemories
5 жыл бұрын
Agree the AII look like its armoury number for a cadet rifle. We lost them back to the army in 73 74 we had smellys from the first and Second World War. Army took them and gave us about twenty SLRs. We even had 4 Brens. Of course with an important bit missing. The good old days
@YouNormalBloke
5 жыл бұрын
I though the T.S. might signify Training Ship, i.e. RAN.
@viruk78
4 жыл бұрын
I'm coming into this discussion late. You may have already found the info. by now. But WNTS stands for Watts Naval Training School, Norfolk. Other than that, I can't help you.
@ima4ster
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks. Good to know. Nobody had commented on that yet.
@bcabmac
4 жыл бұрын
I didn't know that. Would you have any references to what "TUNS" stamped on the receiver would mean,? Thanks
@dalanwanbdiska6542
2 жыл бұрын
Wow
@ima4ster
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching.
@nelsonrumley2618
4 жыл бұрын
Mental to take 5 and striper clips one or two Site in yards
@ima4ster
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@CHACH208
4 жыл бұрын
I have the same model and looking for additional info.
@ima4ster
4 жыл бұрын
You might read the comments to this video for information. Quite a few people offered input that I wasn't aware of.
@nate-otero
6 жыл бұрын
He probably got it from a digger during the war
@ima4ster
6 жыл бұрын
Nateorius Me a digger?
@nate-otero
6 жыл бұрын
ima4ster sorry a digger is a slang word for Australian soldier
@zhukie
6 жыл бұрын
Name given from WW1 digging trenches...all our soldiers are known as 'diggers' since, up to and including the present day. Also 'digs' for short.
@maxl3189
3 жыл бұрын
@@zhukie while we where diggin trenches, the Maori where scaring them away with their haka haha
@supersonicdan1251
8 жыл бұрын
because it's an Australian No1. Mk 3 it would have been made by lithgow arms
@ima4ster
8 жыл бұрын
Yes...it's stamped Lithgow on the gun.
@supersonicdan1251
8 жыл бұрын
it also has the WW1 type striker on the bolt
@zhukie
6 жыл бұрын
All Australian WW2 rifles were SMLEs...unlike the Brits/Canadians/New Zealanders we never fielded the No.4 Mk1s
@Grummash
8 жыл бұрын
A very interesting video... but I can't add anything to what you know already - I know nothing at all about rifles.
@ima4ster
8 жыл бұрын
I learned a lot in making this video.
@josh656
5 жыл бұрын
Mark III* ("Star) WANT
@dasboototto
3 жыл бұрын
still being used in Afganistan
@ima4ster
3 жыл бұрын
That's amazing.
@Barbac62
3 жыл бұрын
@@ima4ster They were Retired from the Canadian North in 2018. Still being used by Canadian Rangers
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