Lithgow SMLE serial no locations

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Lithgow SMLE serial no locations

Post by LikeAntiques » 30 Dec 2018, 2:37 pm

Hi All,

I'm thinking of getting a Lithgow SMLE. I want to get a matching numbers one.

Could those in the know please tell me all of the serial number locations on the rifle? Did these locations change between WW1 WW2 production?

Cheers!
LikeAntiques
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Re: Lithgow SMLE serial no locations

Post by No1Mk3 » 30 Dec 2018, 6:00 pm

The number to check for matching is the production number under the bolt handle to see if it matches the number at the right rear of the bolt slide. Lithgow SMLE rifles were always initially numbered on the front right of the receiver ring, right side of barrel, nose cap, under the rear sight, fore wood and buttstock. All numbers should match. Not too common to see this as many bolts were altered/replaced during maintenance. Cheers.
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Re: Lithgow SMLE serial no locations

Post by LikeAntiques » 30 Dec 2018, 7:03 pm

Thanks for that. Did the location or the number of places change during the production runs between WW1 and WW2?
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Re: Lithgow SMLE serial no locations

Post by No1Mk3 » 31 Dec 2018, 5:50 am

No mate, less likely to see the fore wood numbered though. The only real difference is that after 1939 bayonets were not match numbered to rifles, Cheers.
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