1941 Lithgow SMLE No.1 Mk III* .303 British Bolt-Action Rifle, Australian WWII, FTR-Marked, 25.2 in Barrel, 10-Round Magazine
Australian-made during WWII, this 1941 Lithgow Short Magazine Lee–Enfield No.1 Mk III* combines wartime production with an arsenal Factory Thorough Repair (F.T.R.) marking. It retains correct SMLE configuration details, has clear Australian acceptance and inspection marks, and features an excellent bore with sharp rifling. A U.S. import mark is present, and the rifle includes a 10-round detachable magazine.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The stock shows consistent scratching and blemishing, with widespread surface scratches, finish wear, and general handling marks. Patches of pitting are visible in multiple areas on the metal. Traces of cosmoline remain in a few locations.
What’s Included
- Lithgow SMLE No.1 Mk III* rifle (.303 British)
- 1x 10-round SMLE-pattern detachable steel box magazine (installed)
Built at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory in Australia and dated 1941, this No.1 Mk III* represents wartime production with period-correct receiver socket marking "MA LITHGOW S.M.L.E III* 1941." Australian D ^ D acceptance and MA inspection marks are present, underscoring its government acceptance and service history.
The rifle is F.T.R.-marked, indicating a Factory Thorough Repair arsenal program during its service life. It also bears a U.S. import mark reading "No 1 AUSTRALIA KNOX TN 303 BRITISH." A painted rack or inventory number is visible on the butt, consistent with unit or institutional tracking practices.
Core SMLE features are intact, including the charger-bridge for 5-round chargers feeding a 10-round detachable magazine, the SMLE nosecap with bayonet boss and transverse screw, and a 25.2-inch barrel. The Mk III* configuration is correct without a magazine cut-off or volley sights.
Sighting equipment consists of a protected blade front sight and a tangent rear sight with ladder/slider. The rifle uses a round-knob bolt handle, a thumb safety, and a full-length hardwood stock with a one-piece fore-end and two separate handguards, sling swivels, and a brass buttplate. Length of pull measures 13.0 inches.
The bore is a standout: bright and clean with sharp rifling, rated Excellent. This condition supports the rifle’s appeal for both collecting and range use, paired with its documented WWII-era Australian origin and F.T.R. history.