Lee-Enfields - 1917 Lithgow 'Marksman' SMLE rifle

A look at a Lithgow-made 1917 Lee-Enfield SMLE Mk III, reclassified as No.1 Mk III and converted around 1934 to a No.1 Mk III H (Aust) heavy-barrelled target or ‘Marksman’ rifle. It was owned by Oscar Bell of Gundagai, NSW, Australia. Oscar was born too late for WW1, he served in the interwar 7th Light Horse troop of Gundagai, and then served in the Volunteer Defence Corps, Australia’s WW2 ‘Home Guard’. Oscar was a farmer, a family man, and a community member, and he worked hard in later years to preserve Gundagai’s stories and history. This rifle was preserved locally in Gundagai and came into my care this year. It will be tidied up and preserved for display and commemorative use.

Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:30 Buttstock stamps
2:04 Wrist markings
2:12 Receiver markings and numbers
2:35 SMLE Mk III* What is it?
3:00 Aussie production - star or no star?
3:47 Rear sight
4:23 Band
4:33 Nose cap and tired timber
4:56 Varnish to go
5:16 Oscar Bell
5:46 Barrel date and details
6:03 The H 'Marksman' rifle
7:17 Plans and outro
7:36 Stella blooper reel