by Member-Deleted » 19 May 2017, 8:42 am
In Skennertons book, "Australian Service Longarms", the The Lithgow factory mass produced S.M.L.E rifles in No1 Mk 3 configuration up until 1945, then produced another couple of thousand in the early 1950's, prior to re-tooling for the L1A1 around 1955. While other rifles were carried by Australian troops i.e the No4 Mk1 in the RAAF, P14 sniper rifle, No 5 Mk 1 in Malaya etc, the No 1 Mk 3 remained the standard up to and including the Korean war. To the best of my knowledge, the "experimental" No.6 shortened rifle and carbine were only issued for trials and never saw combat. Saw one go for $7000.00 a few years back, so they are pretty valuable collectors pieces.
As a point of interest, I am a collector myself, and own an all matching (including serial marked timber) No Mk 3 that belonged to my Uncle, and was then passed on to my father. This rifle saw service in both WW2 and Korea, and still shoots very well. For more info, you can contact the Lithgow factory itself, as they used to keep records of which rifles were issued where, although the ADF is very reluctant to tell you anything these days. The price for the standard rifle has gone through the roof since the 100 year ANZAC anniverary, and lots of people have profiteered by jumping on this band wagon. My first full wood Lee Enfield cost me $35.00, plus $12.50 for a bayonet...........