During the interwar years the SAF Lithgow was basically working on a skeleton crew after winding down wartime production which reached its peak of 42,129 in 1918-19 so the No.1 MkIII SMLE rifles made in the 1920’s are very rare. According to Lithgow records only around 2,700 rifles were made that year with very few remaining due to attrition & use in WW2.

Offered for sale is this honest example of a early 1920’s interwar Australian made Short Lee Enfield (SHT.LE) with the early Lithgow shield which has all visible numbers matching, bar the nose cap.

This rifle has seen service & had several lives by the look of it. Some of that history is recorded by the markings on the stock plus it retains the magazine cut off which is highly unusual.

The barrel has been replaced with one marked G. SHAW 8/48, along with the various correct proof military marks. This barrel is excellent, has deep rifling & a good, clean bore.

If you are wanting a hard to find interwar Lithgow No. 1 MkIII, you should consider this rifle which would make an excellent centerpiece of your collection or a good start to one.

We are not going to try & rate the condition out of 100 as everyone seems to have a different opinion on what the percentages should be so we’ll let the pictures be the description. You will know if this is for you so view the photos carefully & make your decision based on what you see as they form the main description & override all written information. For more visit:

https://scgunshop.com.au/?product=rare-1922-lithgow-shtle-s-n-b2035

We think we have described it accurately & correctly but do not claim to be infallible so if we have got anything wrong, it is unintentional.

Whilst we check these out for serviceability, the warranty has expired & this is sold on an ‘as is’ basis. As with all used guns, we recommend you have this checked by a suitably qualified person prior to shooting.

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