Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (DibsInNH) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:32:11 GMT

Jolly Green,

Thanks, too! I really enjoy finding out about the history of the different rifles that I own. I appreciate the willingness of everyone to share their knowledge. This is a great place to hang out.

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (Gearhead222) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:55:56 GMT

So if there are NO brass reinforcing pins in the lower handguard behind the charger bridge and there are NO brass reinforcing plates,then it is relatively safe to say that the stock is not Coachwood?In other words, the non Coachwood stocks were hard enough that they did not need pins nor recoil plates?This particular Lithgow has two crosswise pins through the upper rear handguard to hold a plate that holds the handguard to the receiver but no lower handguard brass pins.Thanx again-Gearhead

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (jollygreenslugg) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:33:53 GMT

Greg,

Lovely rifle, very nice example of a mid-WW2 Lithgow.

DibsinNH,

Most WW2-dated Lithgow rifles have a later date on the buttstock from the one on the receiver. The receiver date is when the receiver was finished, not when the rifle was assembled. It would seem that there was a backlog of receivers and as they were assembled into rifles, this happened later on, hence the later date. I have 1940, 1941 and 1943 Lithgows, and they all have a later date on the...

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (Ed Novak) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:54:25 GMT

I'd start by checking your rifle for the recoil blocks. If they are present, the problem is solved. If they are not present and you don't know what the wood is, can you post photos? There are some very good and experienced eyes here which likely can identify the wood for you and advise. I've never seen Queensland Maple in person or in a photo; your Lithgow will most likely have Coachwood. If it were me - "if wishes were fishes..." - and the rifle is really nice,...

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (Gearhead222) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 13:56:05 GMT

Saw the picks and had read the thread previously-just don't know if I want to mess with Coachwood.I shoot all of my rifles and do not want to chance a broken stock.I read another thread where the owner wrote how his Lithgow SMLE has a Queensland maple stock.How can you tell if you have a Coachwood stock?This trade is not finalized and I can trade for a less expensive British SMLE-Gearhead

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (Ed Novak) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 13:20:55 GMT

Gearhead: Go back to the start of this string and read all the postings, please - the Coachwood/brass recoil blocks are covered in excellent detail therein, I think. Remove the fore end and look for the brass blocks - always remove the fore end before the buttstock on any SMLE/No.1 new to you. If you will review the immediate string and work back through previous strings, you will find a lot of very good information, including photos. Posting about this issue, dtd 9/20/07 has nice photo(s)...

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (Gearhead222) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 12:22:04 GMT

Should I expect it to have the protective coachwood blocks?If not there,where do I buy and install these?What happens if these are not installed?Does the wood crush?-Gearhead

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (DibsInNH) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:32:09 GMT

ptrthgr8,

I just checked the barrel band on my rifle and, underneath a heavy coat of black paint, I found a nice, solid piece of brass...just like yours. Very nice!

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (DibsInNH) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 20:25:49 GMT

ptrthgr8,

That is one beautiful looking rifle. I just picked up the identical rifle but mine is not nearly in as good a shape as yours. Yours is a keeper!

I don't mean to hijack the thread but I wanted to see if anyone can explain the markings on the rear buttstock. As I just mentioned, I have the same rifle. It's a '42 dated Lithgow SMLE but the rear buttstock is stamped with the '43 date? Does that mean it was FTR'd?

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (Renfield54) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:30:08 GMT

97th....

Coachwood is particular to Austrailian-made rifles, like the Lithgows.

Yours is a #4 Mk 1.......not a #1 Mk111 (*) It's fine, as is.

FWIW........Steve

"Dusty old helmet.....Rusty old gun......They sit in the corner and wait"
~Audie Murphy--1925-1971~

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (97th signalman) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:09:18 GMT

I read the suggested post with all sorts of comments on the neccessity for recoil blocks in rifles with "coachwood" forearms. I am not familiar with coachwood. My 1943 Maltby NO4 MKI has a mix of wood in its stock furniture. I will attach some photos. Can anyone tell me if the forearm looks like coachwood?

[/img]

Check out the thread I started when I first got this rifle -- JJCO import is in the title (in this forum). Lots of good info there about this issue.

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and...

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (97th signalman) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:48:44 GMT
Thanks jrmc75 for the photos of recoil blocks. What are they made of...Metal, wood? Are they neccessary for the No4 MkI as well? Are they standard on issue Enfields? What happens if you don't have them?

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (ptrthgr8) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:08:42 GMT
Is there anything special about the sling?

This is the first Enfield I've received that had a sling with it and the date on the stamp (1943) sounds right. Is this a correct sling and if so anything to write home about?

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

That Lithy turned out very nicely indeed.

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (in itinere) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:49:10 GMT
I second 97th's post... I unsure what a recoil plate is as well... anyone got a photo adn explanation for us newbs?

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (Renfield54) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:10:51 GMT
That's a GREAT lookin' Lithgow!! I've got a '42 myself, with the brass band, but, overall shape is NOTHING like yours!!

Mine went thru India on it's way to me, it's got the Ishapore screw, and an Indian buttstock installed, but still a sweet shooter. And yes, the recoil plates ARE installed .....I made sure of that before takin' the ol' Sgt.-Major out for the first time!!

Makes mine look downright...

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (97th signalman) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:07:39 GMT
I am kind of new to Enfields. Hence my question: What are recoil plates?
I shoot every gun that I have.

Re: Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (A square 10) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 08:37:47 GMT
i agree , thats a good looking rifle , not yet had the opportunity to find a really nice lithgow myself - you have done very well with this one , im liking the looks of the brass swivels and band

Photos of my Lithgow No.1 MkIII*

feeds@yuku.com (ptrthgr8) — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 22:55:53 GMT
Hi, all.

Here are the promised photos of the Lithgow I picked up a few weeks ago. The recoil plates haven't arrived yet, but I'll be sure to get then installed before actually taking this gem out to the range.