I was in a local gun shop to with is normally a bad idea and it was I found a lithgow lee Enfield sporter and has got me to thinking I have always wanted one and this one is really price great under 300 the action works great the stock is fine had a peep sight on the back I didn't see anything that was wrong other then it was a sporter stock. If I bought it how hard would it be to restore it back to original would it be worth restoring it or not even mess with it thanks. Is lithgow a lower quality or not worth as the other manufacturers I don't know much at all about the lee Enfield thanks
lee Enfield lithgow
- Thread starter jrbaker90
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shuvelrider
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A pic of the "sporter" would help. Considering when some rifles were "sported", the barrel could have been shortened a bit, original sights replaced, metal ground off, odd ways that people drill and tap for scope mounts. This all affects the possibility or lack of possibility, to put a former warhorse back into correct form. If your barrel and receiver are unmolested, then make a list of all the bits and pieces you need for that type rifle. It will not be the cheapest project to do. Your gonna need a wood set----butt, forearm, handguard (front and rear), barrel bands (front and rear) plus the screws, buttplate and screws, nosecap for the end of the stock, trigger guard, etc. Find a schematic of that rifle or look at pictures, here a place to start in your search.http://ssporters.com/index.html and https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/ltc-default.asp? Hope this helps, I did a LongBranch Enfield in the same fashion. Only gave $50 for the rifle and found everything else, I had the barreled action and buttstock. Only put around 150 into parts. Good luck.
You say a peep sight on your rifle, is that an aftermarket like Williams or Lyman? Or do you have a #4 rifle ? Pics would help.
You say a peep sight on your rifle, is that an aftermarket like Williams or Lyman? Or do you have a #4 rifle ? Pics would help.
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shuvelrider
Member
My Lithgow #3 is on top, made around 1943, I do have a sported #3 from England as you can see. It's dated 1918, I liked the appearance of it when I found it in a gunshop. My restored LongBranch is above the Jungle Carbine.
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Lithgow is the Australian manufacturer for Enfield. Just like BSA or any of the other makers. They are good rifles. I love my 1941 No1 MkIII*.
DougW
Member
The biggest possible issue is if the rear sight still exists. If it was milled off or modified, you will not be able to restore it to it;s original greatness.
shuvelrider
Member
I was wondering also about that, since he stated it had a peep on the rear. A pic would help to determine what rifle he has, I read what he posted but a pic is worth a hundred words here.
I really don't know if the rear sight is there I'm afraid it isn't I didn't look close enough at it I was in looking at revolvers and saw it lsitting there and I know it was something older and I saw it and read the tag and I got to really thinking about it. It looks almost exactly like the middle one in the picture. I aint quite talk myself into yet I have looked at 2 more gun I am interested but I have always wanted a Enfield
shuvelrider
Member
Well, if they are asking a bit under 300 for it, I would pass and keep looking. There are better deals (cheaper) out there for sported rifles. Now that price would be ballpark for a complete #3 and or a #4 rifle, would not want you to sink that much and then more for parts to do a resto. You could throw him a lowball price if you really want it though. Just my opinion.
bainter1212
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How long has it been on the shelf? I picked up my No.4 after seeing it sitting on the shelf collecting dust, priced at $400 for a whole year. At the end of the year, I pointed out to the shop owner that the rifle had sat for a whole year and would he take $200? He said yes and we shook hands on it.
I personally think that the Aussie No.1s are the best made and maintained. If the barrel is uncut, the front sight and buttstock are in place, it might be worth restoring. I would offer $200 for it though....not $300. Very few sporters are worth that.
I personally think that the Aussie No.1s are the best made and maintained. If the barrel is uncut, the front sight and buttstock are in place, it might be worth restoring. I would offer $200 for it though....not $300. Very few sporters are worth that.
Lithgow is a small town west of Sydney where the small arms factory is.
It's still making arms for the Australian army and is once again getting into the civilian market.
Has a nice museum attached to it now. Worth the drive if you ever find yourself in Sydney.
A nice feature is the rising sun (ANZAC) symbol made up of an example 303 and matching bayonet from every year of production.
http://www.lithgowsafmuseum.org.au/
It's still making arms for the Australian army and is once again getting into the civilian market.
Has a nice museum attached to it now. Worth the drive if you ever find yourself in Sydney.
A nice feature is the rising sun (ANZAC) symbol made up of an example 303 and matching bayonet from every year of production.
http://www.lithgowsafmuseum.org.au/
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