RIFLE: MA LITHGOW ARMS MODEL SMLE III 1941, SERIAL NUMBER 54196, 2- TONE, NOT INCLUDED, 26, 303, BOLT Notes: The MA Lithgow Arms SMLE No. 1 Mk III* is a quintessential bolt-action rifle produced in Australia during the height of World War II. This 1941-dated model is chambered in the powerful .303 British caliber and features the iconic Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) action, renowned for its smooth "cock-on-closing" bolt and rapid rate of fire. While the standard military issue typically utilized a 25.2-inch barrel, this specific unit is noted with a 26-inch barrel and a distinctive two-tone finish, suggesting it may have been maintained or refinished for specialized use. As a Lithgow-manufactured piece, it represents a significant chapter in Allied small arms history, offering a blend of rugged military durability and the precision engineering characteristic of Australian wartime production.