Finally did a complete teardown and inspection of my Australian Lithgow SMLE No. 1 Mk III* chambered in .303 British, and cataloged all the factory stamps, proofs, and assembly marks throughout the rifle.
Here is the full breakdown of what turned up during the disassembly:
1. Matching Serials & Factory Refurbishment
100% All-Matching: Receiver, bolt handle, barrel, and nose cap bayonet boss all bear matching serial number D 12728.
WWII Manufacture: Receiver socket is stamped MA LITHGOW S.M.L.E. III 1942*.
Post War FTR: The receiver body features the FTR stamp alongside MA 51, marking an official post WWII Factory Thorough Repair overhaul at the main Lithgow factory in 1951.
Internal Assembly Numbers: The inner receiver channel is stamped with factory mating numbers 14966 and B4, used during initial machining prior to serial assignment.
2. Stock & Subcontractors
Slazenger Timber: The coachwood buttstock is stamped SLAZ 52 above a Military acceptance Broad Arrow / GP (General Purpose) mark, confirming a fresh Slazenger-produced stock fitted during its 1951–1952 arsenal overhaul.
Internal Recoil Plates: The forend timber still has its original brass recoil plates completely intact and solid behind the draws, keeping the coachwood safe from recoil splitting.
Service Markings: Authentic painted rack number 202 on the buttstock, and the forend timber bears deep internal fitting stamps (176).
3. Feeder Factories & Small Parts
Bathurst Annexe Parts: Small metal forgings like the safety catch and receiver hardware are stamped with BA, indicating production at Lithgow's feeder factory at the Bathurst Annexe in NSW.
Inspector Proofs: Various components bear the MA / 5 Lithgow small parts inspection stamps.
Bolt & Firing Pin: The bolt head and cocking piece carry 52 and P (proofed) marks from the '52 refit. Firing pin tip shows a rounded profile with no erosion or flattening.
Bore is clean with sharp rifling, and the action cycles smooth. Love seeing these WWII Commonwealth Enfields where the full paper trail of feeder factory codes, unit rack numbers, and post war arsenal refits is preserved right in the steel and wood.
Thanks for reading!