latest WWII edition: Australian SMLE Mk III*

[Spike 7.62 0]

I am on the quest for a well-rounded WWII collection. I want the primary and secondary small and side arm of each major warring nation and all the relevant militaria I can afford.

 

I never thought about Australia until this rifle became available to me. You may have seen it on Armslist recently. I had put it up for sale to see what I could net but ultimately decided to keep it.

 

It was arsenal refurbed in Dec 1946 so there is a mix of parts. The stock is 1915 the matching bolt and action 1918 so this could be a WWI collection addition as well.

 

At some point she belonged to the 5th Military District Western Australia which was a militia organization. CMF was the Australian version of our National Guard, which initially was supposed to stay domestic but did fight in the SW Pacific.

 

At some other point the rifle belonged to a unit designated 2/18 issued to soldier number 7121. There was no 2/18 anything in the 5th military district so it belonged to the regular army at some point.

 

The HV cartouche denotes the later, high velocity .303 cartridge.

 

D/|\D (tried to make the DarrowD mark) is the Australian military property mark; Dept of Defense.

[Spike 7.62 0]

[RobertJames 14]

Very nice!  I've got a Lithgow MkIII* from 1942.  It's got some of the updates to save manufacturing time, like the squared off cocking piece.  It still has the brass "jewelery" though.  Collecting Enfields is a lot of fun and becomes addicting.  Last gun show I went to I came home with a No IV mk I made by Savage marked 'US Property'.  Have fun and give us a range report.

[usnmars 136]

Nice gun. The 2 near the DD means coastal defense Queensland.

[Spike 7.62 0]

This rifle really got around; Western Military District and Queensland which is in the north east of the country. I'll have to research the Batteries in that command to see of one is designated 2/18. If not then the stock shows use in 3 separate Australian military organizations.

[Iggyort 44]

I believe the 12/46 indicates the last year that rifle was inventoried.

 

I will have to go check.

 

Nice peace of history.

[usnmars 136]

Good luck with your quest for the primary arms of WWII. That's how my colection started, blossomed, and grew exponentially.............. It turns into an addiction.