Author Topic: Need help ID'ing Brit .303 (Read 966 times)

Rhett · « **on:** February 22, 2003, 09:03:05 PM »

I've had this rifle for about a year and mostly took a friend's word for it that it was a jungle carbine, but there's a lot of stamps he didn't explain so I did some checking around on the net and I think his designation of it being a jungle c. is off. I don't know, here's some info though for those who know...

Part of the front bottom of the barrel and all of the top is exposed.

Has standard Arrow symbol for England.

Has wind adjustment on rear site.

Has unmarked brass buttplate.

Solid reddish woodstock that has no stampings at all.

Under the site it's marked HV SC for the less powerful ammo.

Overall barrel lenth is 20 inches, or 22 inches from bolt on forward. (this is what most people say is a jungle carbine. But it doesn't have the muzzlebreak/flash hider up front.)

Marked MA Lithgow of Australia both on Reciever and on trigger clamp, but according to a faq I read only ones marked Fazakerly, FY, or ROF are jungle carbines.

Marked Lithgow SMLE 11 1941 on trigger clamp.Reciever marked 8'42receiver also has MA V11 and MA V1 marked side by side. (Why?)

Has very small crown design on reciever with 1 marked over L. (Origin?Has one unidentifiable marke that has been stamped over and anther just above it that looks like a Star of David with what looks like an A inside of it and below that a F or 1) What is this? Nothing on FAQ's anywhere about it.

Has a weird looking shape that looks like a top of a rook chess piece, hard to describe.

On Receiver Ring it has MA V11 and the crown and LP logo again.

Has crown and flag design with L over P. Haven't found this on any websites yet, what does it mean?

Any help with this is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Venator · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2003, 01:42:34 PM »

I just had time to scan your post... will come back later this week and maybe add some more. From the description, it sounds like you might have a Lithgow "Rifle Club" rifle, made for civilian target shooting club competition. Most of the marks you noted are standard Aussie marks (the good thing about Brit Commonwealth arms is that they're stamped like a friggin passport - you can read everything about a weapon's history by its stamps). The Star-A is an early receiver mark, the MA means Lithgow, the LP is a proof mark, and you got some inspection marks.

Does the barrel step down in diameter? What is the serial number? Are you sure there are no stamps on the bottom of the stock? Is there an import mark? Where did you find it?

kevin.303 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2003, 03:28:36 AM »

it ain't a jungle carbine but it's still a good rifle. i also have a lithgow and they are usally good shooters

Rhett · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2003, 12:59:30 PM »

Quote from: Venator

I just had time to scan your post... will come back later this week and maybe add some more. From the description, it sounds like you might have a Lithgow "Rifle Club" rifle, made for civilian target shooting club competition. Most of the marks you noted are standard Aussie marks (the good thing about Brit Commonwealth arms is that they're stamped like a friggin passport - you can read everything about a weapon's history by its stamps). The Star-A is an early receiver mark, the MA means Lithgow, the LP is a proof mark, and you got some inspection marks.

Does the barrel step down in diameter? What is the serial number? Are you sure there are no stamps on the bottom of the stock? Is there an import mark? Where did you find it?

A friend sold it to me. He strongly claims it is a sniper but I doubted it then and more so now.

No stamps at all on the stock, although a BA is at the bottom of the trigger guard. Missed that one

What's an import stamp look like, I don't recall seeing any but I can't find my identa-site either.

I hate giving out serials, but the number is in the 66 thousand range. (Not really for privacy, just to tick off the BATF!) :wink:

Sorry about the delay, got too caught up in other stuff.

Venator · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2003, 06:12:11 PM »

Rhett, the BA means Bathurst Rifle Factory, another Aussie parts manufacturer. Inspection marks are the little crowns over the 1 and L, the MA VI and MA VII. HV SC means designed for the newer high velocity ammo, with short distance to rifling. I would gues there's an E in front of the serial number.

It could be a Rifle Club gun, especially if it has a standard rifle front sight and a reduction in diameter just before the front sight, or possibly a military No.1 that someone reworked the forestock on.

Either way, it's a Lithgow and that's very good.