My Father bought a Lithgow .303 Rifle in 1955. It has Lithgow SMLE Number 3 1942 stamped on the side.It doesnt have a regular army stock nor the bush stock. It has the adjustable V notched sight at the back.It is an awesome Gun.My father told me that to protect the barrel from rust ,it was filled with grease when shipped to Canada. He paid $35.00 for it.It is currently used for Deer hunting 70 years later.
I used No4s exstensively as a Cadet. We always detached the mags and loaded them by hand. I subsequently had an Enfield Envoy with scope on it which was loaded the same - but was a rechambered 7.62 rifle there is little point in loading the rifle with bullet clips from the top unless the ammo is already loaded into clips for you
Great vid dude. Brings back a lot excellent memories doing some pigging in my younger days with the No 6. I finished my shooting days with a No6 recaliibered to a 303-25, it was so sweet and accurate. Thanks again
Really fine stuff bro...been in love with the 'Smelly' ever since my dad brought one of the first available surplussed rifles home along with the sword bayonet, ca. 1960 - '62...your collection is AMAZING...friend here in S FL (USA) nearly caused a dee-vorce when he paid 10 Grand + for an oeriginal P14 sniper, complete with the numbered scope can. I've got a 1916 dated Lithgow - one of three SMLEs...one has the Austrian Gendarmerie logo stamped on the barrel's knox form.
Never realised how rare the No6 was. Was very lucky then in the early 70's whilst in Army Cadets we had 1 Being short armed and 13 to 16 yrs old I loved it over the longer heavier normal ones.
Ahhh SWEET! ... takes me back to my school Army Cadet days ... can't believe how we were as 15yr olds allowed to carry home (on public transport too) our issue SMLE rifles complete with bolts ... and NEVER an incident reported ... indeed 'those were the days!'
The wire wrap was added in 1917 to help reduce the splintering should the barrel burst, such was the reduced quality of metal work due to wartime production. Gunsmiths sometimes erroneously refer to rifles with the wrap rounds as "Grenade Launchers" refering to the rifle grenades (rod and cup types) used in the First World War. Infact they could be found on any wartime 1917-1918 SMLE
Great stuff mate!!! Lithgow factory rifle range, lmao!!! Brings back memories!! We were there yippee shooting 7.62 chambered Brens back in the 70's, comparing them to the GPMG M60. Had a ball, but it was a pain to go and keep putting the hillside behind the butt out, lmao... Someone gave us tracer seeded belts & mags, so after the first 4 fires on the hillside, we took the time to deseed the belts and mags. Stone the crows that bush burned,lol. All fires extinguished. Earned my crossed rifles with L1A1 and fiddled with the F1. Hopefully these days, the factory is doing as well as it was then. Workers were brilliant. Grew up with the .303 (illegal at the time) and 303/25 (terrible), had my MkIII stolen, very accurate rifle. Thanks for posting.
Thanks Jollygreenslug, I am, again now in 2015 reviewing your online info around the 303. Me, now, still seemingly 'semi retired' and returned to my first passion of farming.Thought my hunting and shooting days, a bygone era, yet sharing 6km of boundary fence with a National Park, 'heaven forbid one of my live stock ever be found there!'My place is seasonally host to every manner of feral.I am now, the reluctant 'shooter, hunter', not because I don't enjoy the sport.Rather I find it tough to spend the time, my mature aged ethic's around killing demand of me. No life aught be taken cheap: neither the filthy fox nor fking feral dog, and left in the field to simple rot.Carcase dressing and tanning of hide take a serious effort and some time to do.303 British, 'Rifle of an Empire' etc. The historic role of a rifle, provides me a locus of interest for the 303. An over lapping excuse for my gaining one, the need for a rifle 'at hand' is so far and beyond proven. Observation suggests 'grey haired farts' like me can become overly reflective, specialist history nerds. I shall not get into old trucks.Thank you for all the 'online' material you have posted, It is received with much appreciation,It is valued,Farting Pheral'still standing, still swinging me best'
someone once actualy told me that the reason why they made the mounts to sit lower was to actualy still have some cheek suport on the stock without the army having to remake but stocks with higher combs (raised).
i had a 303 ozzy police rifle,,i sold it because the gun shop said they couldent put a skope on it,,,damn,,that was a mistake,,i loved it,,verry accurat rifle,,yhanks for sharing,
Hi, I know it's been three months but if you still need to know,the lee enfield .303 was reloaded with clips.With the sniper versions if the scope was in the way it was reloaded with individual rounds from the top.
@Transporter1022 The Ishapore 2a or the 2a1 are the models that are chambered in 7.62x51mm. They are GREAT rifles and I highly reccomend them. Some say they are better than the Lee Enfield because of the benefit of 1960's steel technology and the like. I don't know if I agree but either way it is a damn fine rifle and you should not hesitate to get it. I own one and I LOVE IT!!!
@MrMilfhunter2003 Rifles (various marks) made in Australia, Canada,USA, South Africa and India in addition to Britain. Price in US has gone up significantly in last 1-2 yrs. Common grade No1MkIIIs and No4 were in the $100-200 range, now in $250-400 range. Rare variants obviously much more, but even well used specimens will bring $200 retail.Recently have seen variants used by Ireland, Italy Greece and Siam(Thailand).
I am a Yank, and have an interest in surplus rifles and Garands and Springfield 1903's are a little expensive here, and enfields seem to be more affordable, what enfield would you recomend?
There should be some sort of date stamped on your rifle. Look under the bolt handle on the receiver band. It may be there, depending on where it was made. Some don't have it there, most do.
Mmm, very nice No.6 :D In WW2 the No.5 enfiled was apperntly used in the last months of the European theatre of war. Must of been easier to use a short lee enfield rather than a long no.4 or Mk 3 :D I do like Enfields ;)
I may have one of these with the receiver mounted sight. My rifle doesn't have the little grooves in the wood around the barrel. It does have the brass butt plate though.
Very nice I have a No.5, 4 and 1 MkIII. A beautiful selection of rifles. On question I have is what is the difference in the Lithgow bolt? PS Mauser K98 fans. Their magazines a rule hold 5 rounds. Lee-Enfields 10 rounds.
Its only a matter of prefferance, considering the era of the rifles. A well drilled tommy, aussi, or a canuck soldier can place a simular amount of fire down range. I have to agree with you that a semi is preferential in battle but considering a Bolt action rifle, your able to place rounds more selectively down range, have you ever fired a SMLE if you have you would know that are just as good or even better the the M1. if I had the choice I would take the M1 but only on select missions.
@Jollygreenslugg You are right about Le Enfields being made overseas, But surely in Canada, India, Australia, It is evident by their markings where they are made: but surely not in the USA?
You didnt show the "Long Tom" That long Lee Enfield rifle used in the first world war. It was stored and was used as a snipers rifle in WW2. It had some very strange sights on the left side of the rifle and I could never work out what they were used for, maybe you might know?
is there a place where i might possibly be able to get a reproduction lithgow ht short mount scope and base? i ha e a lithgow no1 mk3 here in the states and this is the only info ive found as far as original scopes and mounts
I am waiting on getting my licence. Paid for it on Monday. I want to get an SMLE N1 Mk3 but I don't know what to look for in barrel & bore. Can anyone point me in the direction of some good reading so I can learn what to look for....or a video outlining what to lookout for in an SMLE?
Any way i can get low turret mounts for my 1915 LSA no1mk3 I cannot find any for sale no one reproduces them I wanted ww1 pattern bases but the ausie basses patterned off the p14 would be fine.
Nice video, ggo information. I'd guess low mount got the cheek a little closer to the stock (probably still not comfortable though) - with the high mount you'd barely be resting your jawbone on it.
PLEASE HELP!! I recently came across what I think it a Pattern 14 Lee Enfield British .303, at least he butt stock has the Pattern 14 marking and the brass disk. However, the British .303 ammo is too big to fit in the gun. Does anyone know what caliber rifle this may be?
Chances are yes. It was not a desirable addition (unlike cuttoffs, early round cocking piece, volley sights etc) so no collector would ever try and add them to a rifle that didn't have them to begin with.
@MAKER6450 most of the common commonwealth weapons were made in australia, No. 4's No. 1's Stens owens not many brens those were mainly made in Canada and Britain, and No. 6's From a CANADIAN
@imachristian100 They built Enfield rifles under license here in Canada also.....you think Britain provided every rifle for every Commonwealth soldier? They had a tough time equipping their own soldiers due to Germans wanting to invade and all.....
Australia did not make No. 4. They were made in US by Savage, marked "US Property" Long Branch In Toronto Ontario Canada. BSA, RSAF Maltby and RSAF Fazackerly. From an AMERICAN
Thats what most Yanks say. the SMLE was the rifle that won the war, in the hands of Commonwealth Soldiers. the only American unit that could be said of helping of winning the war was 506th 2nd battalion, Easy Company of the 101st Airborn. The M1 is a great rifle but it ain't the best its among the best
...on the battle field. Canadian troops have the reputation on the battle field as the ones that can get any job done (Ironically Easy Co. was the same way), we earned that reputation the hard way during WW1 in the trenches surrounding Vimy Ridge, where Canadian troops succeded where both the brits and the french failed in the taking of Vimy Ridge and yet you Americans take credit for that war aswell. Canadian troops did more in both world wars and in Korea then they get credit for.
@OOOTS2035 I got one for $100 the 2 weeks ago from an old farmer in my rural town in South Australia. They're starting to go up in price for about $350-$500 and they're going to keep rising. Ring up local gunshops or post an ad in the paper and hope the person selling it doesn't know what they're worth
I’ve never seen a No6; thanks for sharing. I was happy with my BSA No5 I finally got. Beautiful rifles!
Greetings from the USA & the great State of Florida :)
My Father bought a Lithgow .303 Rifle in 1955. It has Lithgow SMLE Number 3 1942 stamped on the side.It doesnt have a regular army stock nor the bush stock. It has the adjustable V notched sight at the back.It is an awesome Gun.My father told me that to protect the barrel from rust ,it was filled with grease when shipped to Canada. He paid $35.00 for it.It is currently used for Deer hunting 70 years later.
I used No4s exstensively as a Cadet. We always detached the mags and loaded them by hand. I subsequently had an Enfield Envoy with scope on it which was loaded the same - but was a rechambered 7.62 rifle there is little point in loading the rifle with bullet clips from the top unless the ammo is already loaded into clips for you
Great vid dude. Brings back a lot excellent memories doing some pigging in my younger days with the No 6. I finished my shooting days with a No6 recaliibered to a 303-25, it was so sweet and accurate. Thanks again
Really fine stuff bro...been in love with the 'Smelly' ever since my dad brought one of the first available surplussed rifles home along with the sword bayonet, ca. 1960 - '62...your collection is AMAZING...friend here in S FL (USA) nearly caused a dee-vorce when he paid 10 Grand + for an oeriginal P14 sniper, complete with the numbered scope can. I've got a 1916 dated Lithgow - one of three SMLEs...one has the Austrian Gendarmerie logo stamped on the barrel's knox form.
Mohammed Cohen n
Never realised how rare the No6 was. Was very lucky then in the early 70's whilst in Army Cadets we had 1 Being short armed and 13 to 16 yrs old I loved it over the longer heavier normal ones.
I love my Lee Enfield .303. I purchased it 10 year ago at a gun show here in Denver for $89 US.
thanks for posting about the number 6 and the snipers
Great stuff man I wish more Lee Enfield Number sixes were made
Ahhh SWEET! ... takes me back to my school Army Cadet days ... can't believe how we were as 15yr olds allowed to carry home (on public transport too) our issue SMLE rifles complete with bolts ... and NEVER an incident reported ... indeed 'those were the days!'
Wow! I'm telling ya, you have got to 'LOVE' the Lee Enfield rifles I've got the No. 4 Mk 1 nice, nice, very nice.
The wire wrap was added in 1917 to help reduce the splintering should the barrel burst, such was the reduced quality of metal work due to wartime production. Gunsmiths sometimes erroneously refer to rifles with the wrap rounds as "Grenade Launchers" refering to the rifle grenades (rod and cup types) used in the First World War. Infact they could be found on any wartime 1917-1918 SMLE
Great stuff mate!!! Lithgow factory rifle range, lmao!!! Brings back memories!! We were there yippee shooting 7.62 chambered Brens back in the 70's, comparing them to the GPMG M60. Had a ball, but it was a pain to go and keep putting the hillside behind the butt out, lmao... Someone gave us tracer seeded belts & mags, so after the first 4 fires on the hillside, we took the time to deseed the belts and mags. Stone the crows that bush burned,lol. All fires extinguished. Earned my crossed rifles with L1A1 and fiddled with the F1. Hopefully these days, the factory is doing as well as it was then. Workers were brilliant.
Grew up with the .303 (illegal at the time) and 303/25 (terrible), had my MkIII stolen, very accurate rifle.
Thanks for posting.
nice enfield collection I'm especially jealous of your no.6
Thanks Jollygreenslug, I am, again now in 2015 reviewing your online info around the 303.
Me, now, still seemingly 'semi retired' and returned to my first passion of farming.Thought my hunting and shooting days, a bygone era, yet sharing 6km of boundary fence with a National Park, 'heaven forbid one of my live stock ever be found there!'My place is seasonally host to every manner of feral.I am now, the reluctant 'shooter, hunter', not because I don't enjoy the sport.Rather I find it tough to spend the time, my mature aged ethic's around killing demand of me. No life aught be taken cheap: neither the filthy fox nor fking feral dog, and left in the field to simple rot.Carcase dressing and tanning of hide take a serious effort and some time to do.303 British, 'Rifle of an Empire' etc.
The historic role of a rifle, provides me a locus of interest for the 303. An over lapping excuse for my gaining one, the need for a rifle 'at hand' is so far and beyond proven.
Observation suggests 'grey haired farts' like me can become overly reflective, specialist history nerds. I shall not get into old trucks.Thank you for all the 'online' material you have posted,
It is received with much appreciation,It is valued,Farting Pheral'still standing, still swinging me best'
I shot one of these great rifles today. It had an unusual iron-sight designed to be used in jungles because the scopes used to fog up.
Thanks for putting that up .
someone once actualy told me that the reason why they made the mounts to sit lower was to actualy still have some cheek suport on the stock without the army having to remake but stocks with higher combs (raised).
top rifle is the Jungle Carbine, designed as a light carbine version of the Lee-Enfield during the Pacific.
I've just got myself a 1942 No 1 mk 3*. Its deactivated and doing a cosmetic restoration. I can see why JGS is interested in Enfields.
Ive never seen a scoped No. 1 mk.3 if thats the correct designation, only scoped No.4's. great series of videos, and keep up the collecting!
-gunny55
i had a 303 ozzy police rifle,,i sold it because the gun shop said they couldent put a skope on it,,,damn,,that was a mistake,,i loved it,,verry accurat rifle,,yhanks for sharing,
Very very cool! I love my no4 mk1!
Hi, I know it's been three months but if you still need to know,the lee enfield .303 was reloaded with clips.With the sniper versions if the scope was in the way it was reloaded with individual rounds from the top.
Great vid mate!
@Transporter1022
The Ishapore 2a or the 2a1 are the models that are chambered in 7.62x51mm. They are GREAT rifles and I highly reccomend them. Some say they are better than the Lee Enfield because of the benefit of 1960's steel technology and the like. I don't know if I agree but either way it is a damn fine rifle and you should not hesitate to get it. I own one and I LOVE IT!!!
@MrMilfhunter2003 Rifles (various marks) made in Australia, Canada,USA, South Africa and India in addition to Britain. Price in US has gone up significantly in last 1-2 yrs. Common grade No1MkIIIs and No4 were in the $100-200 range, now in $250-400 range. Rare variants obviously much more, but even well used specimens will bring $200 retail.Recently have seen variants used by Ireland, Italy Greece and Siam(Thailand).
I own 2 one is a rework in .308 by the Gibbs Rifle Co. Very Informative Video...thx
Great video.
love the no.6, have the no.5, love that too
i think it is to do with the shortness of the barrel , thats why it kicks so violently!
Beautiful rifles, and a very interesting video, I didn't know Enfields were every made in any place but England
God bless
Bugger me....never knew that they made a six?! I think the Lithgow factory was built around 1912 (I could be wrong); thanks for posting. Cheers.
weapons like that make me proud to be British
Would love to see the difference in size and profile of a standard #1mk3 barrel to a , Heavy target/ sniper #1 mk3
I am a Yank, and have an interest in surplus rifles and Garands and Springfield 1903's are a little expensive here, and enfields seem to be more affordable, what enfield would you recomend?
I want to buy a No6 Can you help?
There should be some sort of date stamped on your rifle. Look under the bolt handle on the receiver band. It may be there, depending on where it was made. Some don't have it there, most do.
Thanks, very informative.
is it worth taking the trip to lithgow do they have tours of the factory or like all the old guns on display?
ah yes the 303 lee enfield....best rifles of them all
Hi Mate I recently purchased a 1941 Lithgow Chambered in 22 Hornet, I am looking for a Enfield side Mount I’m having trouble finding the right one
Mmm, very nice No.6 :D In WW2 the No.5 enfiled was apperntly used in the last months of the European theatre of war. Must of been easier to use a short lee enfield rather than a long no.4 or Mk 3 :D I do like Enfields ;)
these are sweet videos. how many enfields do you own?
I may have one of these with the receiver mounted sight. My rifle doesn't have the little grooves in the wood around the barrel. It does have the brass butt plate though.
Thanks for your video, I have a No 4 Mk1, I'm looking for a No 5 or No III SMLE 🇦🇺🇨🇰🇬🇧🇬🇸🇰🇾🇲🇸🇳🇿🇵🇳 sorry I didn't know which flag is Australian?
🇺🇸
Aussie flag, Star beneath the union flag.
Very nice I have a No.5, 4 and 1 MkIII. A beautiful selection of rifles. On question I have is what is the difference in the Lithgow bolt?
PS Mauser K98 fans. Their magazines a rule hold 5 rounds. Lee-Enfields 10 rounds.
Ive been to the factory in lithgow many years ago
Hey Jolly, you there? Been years since your last vid… We miss 'em
Its only a matter of prefferance, considering the era of the rifles. A well drilled tommy, aussi, or a canuck soldier can place a simular amount of fire down range. I have to agree with you that a semi is preferential in battle but considering a Bolt action rifle, your able to place rounds more selectively down range, have you ever fired a SMLE if you have you would know that are just as good or even better the the M1. if I had the choice I would take the M1 but only on select missions.
do you recommend the enfield with or without the scope mounts??
perfect weapon!!!!
OMG!
You are my hero!
@Jollygreenslugg You are right about Le Enfields being made overseas, But surely in Canada, India, Australia, It is evident by their markings where they are made: but surely not in the USA?
okay i have most of those i like your jungle carbine nice
You didnt show the "Long Tom" That long Lee Enfield rifle used in the first world war. It was stored and was used as a snipers rifle in WW2. It had some very strange sights on the left side of the rifle and I could never work out what they were used for, maybe you might know?
jim bo long range volley sights
Meant for firing at large groups of enemies beyond 1200meters
It was a carry over of 18th century ideology
used for firing up into the air at varying angles as determined via dial on front aim was to literally lob them into trenches
what type of scope did you say these are? cant make out what you said, my speakers aren't good
Don't u just love the enfield
is there a place where i might possibly be able to get a reproduction lithgow ht short mount scope and base? i ha e a lithgow no1 mk3 here in the states and this is the only info ive found as far as original scopes and mounts
Nicholas Ryczywot ive got the same issue with my 1915 LSA. MK3
I am waiting on getting my licence. Paid for it on Monday. I want to get an SMLE N1 Mk3 but I don't know what to look for in barrel & bore. Can anyone point me in the direction of some good reading so I can learn what to look for....or a video outlining what to lookout for in an SMLE?
Are you on the shooters forum? I'm sure I have seen a pic of this collection on there
Any way i can get low turret mounts for my 1915 LSA no1mk3
I cannot find any for sale no one reproduces them
I wanted ww1 pattern bases but the ausie basses patterned off the p14 would be fine.
Nice video, ggo information.
I'd guess low mount got the cheek a little closer to the stock (probably still not comfortable though) - with the high mount you'd barely be resting your jawbone on it.
PLEASE HELP!! I recently came across what I think it a Pattern 14 Lee Enfield British .303, at least he butt stock has the Pattern 14 marking and the brass disk. However, the British .303 ammo is too big to fit in the gun. Does anyone know what caliber rifle this may be?
Chances are yes. It was not a desirable addition (unlike cuttoffs, early round cocking piece, volley sights etc) so no collector would ever try and add them to a rifle that didn't have them to begin with.
I have a 1898 model,would you know roughly what it is worth,has all the bells and whistles
mickycricket original 1898 mark1s are worth a shit tone.
It's actually an SMLE but they added the I to make it the "Smiley." It's just a nickname.
an 1911 BSA SMLE and a 1942 No4
@MAKER6450 most of the common commonwealth weapons were made in australia, No. 4's No. 1's Stens owens not many brens those were mainly made in Canada and Britain, and No. 6's
From a CANADIAN
I dont mean to be stupid, but what do you mean when you say number 5 or number 6.
This rifles can realy reach the german k98. :) There they had done a realy good work.
what was the yellow can?
@Jollygreenslugg you are right........
@imachristian100 They built Enfield rifles under license here in Canada also.....you think Britain provided every rifle for every Commonwealth soldier? They had a tough time equipping their own soldiers due to Germans wanting to invade and all.....
Are 303's legal for civillian use? I didn't know. I thought they were too large to be legal. I want one.
Haha what? There is no limit. You can own a 20mm as far as the law goes if you want, if there was such thing as a 40mm then have it as well
I understand what the HT stands for but can anyone tell me what the V in HV stands for?
On my SMLE Mk.3 the HV means it’s sighted for High Velocity ammunition
were any of the no 6's made in 308?
But its Stamped on the Gun SMILE not SMLE.
Hey I have a 1915 Lee Enfield MkIII SMILE. Can anyone tell me what the I stands for in SMILE?
vegemite? marmite ftw! lol, love the rifles
You ever get one thst says drill purpose only. Marked DP
Very nice rifles. What is Vegemite?...
+Tommy Stone Vegemite is a type of savoury spread made from concentrated yeast extract.
+Tommy Stone yep its the fluid that comes out of yeast infections
+mike C but stronger.
Australia did not make No. 4. They were made in US by Savage, marked "US Property" Long Branch In Toronto Ontario Canada. BSA, RSAF Maltby and RSAF Fazackerly. From an AMERICAN
That No. 6 is sweet look'n
Thats what most Yanks say. the SMLE was the rifle that won the war, in the hands of Commonwealth Soldiers. the only American unit that could be said of helping of winning the war was 506th 2nd battalion, Easy Company of the 101st Airborn. The M1 is a great rifle but it ain't the best its among the best
but the thing about a modle 6 is that it could be as good as a sniper rifle as the other 4, they can shoot 2/300 yrds no problem dead on
nice
think u the word u were looking for was "Flash Suppressor"
Brass Butt-plate to smash jerry in the face :P Awesome Collection.
...on the battle field. Canadian troops have the reputation on the battle field as the ones that can get any job done (Ironically Easy Co. was the same way), we earned that reputation the hard way during WW1 in the trenches surrounding Vimy Ridge, where Canadian troops succeded where both the brits and the french failed in the taking of Vimy Ridge and yet you Americans take credit for that war aswell. Canadian troops did more in both world wars and in Korea then they get credit for.
@OOOTS2035 I got one for $100 the 2 weeks ago from an old farmer in my rural town in South Australia. They're starting to go up in price for about $350-$500 and they're going to keep rising. Ring up local gunshops or post an ad in the paper and hope the person selling it doesn't know what they're worth
Durn it where can I get some Vegemite in Halifax Nova Scotia? best regards marmaloon.
Just how many million is a Squillion?
कितने मिटर दूर जाती है लिवर कितना है बोर राईफल कितना कितना है
ever fired a jungle carbine? , trust me it kicks like a fucking mule
they range from like 100 bux to 3000 not hard to find either!
A lot of money on that tarp!
we are not making cars any more or anything else ....but we are still making rifles...
You can still own guns in Australia... The laws are a lot tougher to obtain a licence and certain weapons are banned to the general public.
i dont know about that... but its fucking good..