Lithgow #1 Mark 3

[Tonymin]

I picked this up from a fellow Calgunner yesterday. His pictures are better than mine so I will link to his ad.
Most parts match. Magazine doesn't, they often don't. Bore looks great. I will shoot it today.
I would love some comments or info. I wanted an Enfield, found this Lithgow. It is WW2 years while most similar Enfields are WW1. What is the story? Thanks

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=942900

[Father Ted]

While Britain switched over to manufacturing the no 4 mk 1, Lithgow kept producing the no 1 mk3* as well as ishapore factory in India. Rifle appears to have been reparked as the * is almost illegible. Is there a jjco import mark? Bore does look great. I would remove the forend to inspect the draws before firing and check for copper pads as it is coachwood. Nosecap is unnumbered. How about the bolt, sight, and forend just under nosecap? I've seen plenty of 42's with 43 marked butt, but usually a 41 with 43 means its a replacement. Quite a few ww2 era lithgows were imported by jjco as well as a load of parts which he then made into complete rifles. Hope its a shooter.
Cheers
*** the MA/46 means that it or the rifle with that butt went through a factory repair at Lithgow.

[smle-man]

I'd be surprised if it doesn't have the copper pads. The foresight protector modification with the holes cut through the 'ears' is a unit armorer level modification which is where the recoil pads were installed also.

[Tonymin]

It looks reparked in the pictures but surprisingly it looks original in person. I shot it today and it is a fantastic shooter. I had some crappy corrosive ammo but got a half dozen bulls eyes at 100 yards and a decent 8" pattern which is probably the ammo. Pleasant shooter with mild recoil.
Bolt and receiver are the same number. Nose is not numbered. I have only done field strip so far and have not taken all the wood off yet. I have not found all the numbers yet. Stock also has a '46 stamp on it so might have gone through several rebuilds.
Yes I cleaned it properly for corrosive ammo. I just finished. I will probably do a further disassembly this week.
I am happy. Great shooter and pretty authentic.

[Father Ted]

Really no reason to remove the butt, but if you do ALWAYS remove the forend first.

[Tonymin]

I saw the square bolt end in a Youtube video. Must be so it doesn't back out.

[Tarasdad]

I had a Lithgow No.1 Mk.III* for many years. Shot Prvi Partizan ball into 2-1/2" at 100 yards. Probably shot better than that but that's the best my eyes would do with its iron sights. One thing I did learn is to be careful how much and what type of lube is in the bolt. Nothing like having your bolt nearly immobilized when the temperature drops.

[Enfield47]

Congrats, nice looking No. 1.

+1 for Prvi ammo and Wolf Gold (if you can find it). They make the best .303 British ammo and they are very reasonably priced. The baset part is that both are boxer primed and use quality brass cases that you can reload with.

[Tonymin]

Thanks, just ordered some Prvi ammo. Not cheap but best I could find. (gunbot)

[Tonymin]

What are these copper pads you guys are talking about?
I went shooting today and it cracked part of the lower handguard near the bolt. It had brass screws In the spot it cracked. A small piece broke off that I just reglued.
Also, I noticed the spring is not there under the nosecap.

[Tonymin]

It cracked a sliver at the copper screws near Australia. See pic from before it cracked.
Are these screws stock?

[Enfield47]

It cracked a sliver at the copper screws near Australia. See pic from before it cracked.
Are these screws stock?

The pic isn't working.

[Tonymin]

Fixed it, thanks

[Eddie1965]

No, those are not the screws/pads; you have to remove the action to see the pads. Mine had the pads and it broke in the same spot as yours (amognst other places as well).

[Father Ted]

Those are reenforcement brass threadwire that they did on coachwood forends and typically on front handguards as well. I love Lithgows but coachwood is just a poor species compared to walnut. The pads are covering the draws. Use your Google fu and you will see what we are referring to.
Cheers