Lithgow SMLE Mk III Question

by
posted on March 5, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
2-smle.jpg

From the archives: a reader inquires about the sling swivel on his Lithgow No. 1 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III.

Question: I have a Lithgow No. 1 Mk III, heavy barrel “Club Rifle” SMLE. In front of the trigger guard is a competition sling swivel. How do you use this type of swivel?

Answer: The Lithgow Small Arms Factory, in Lithgow, Australia, manufactured the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) Mk III from 1912 to 1953. The heavy barrel indicates that the rifle in question was modified by the Australian Army for use as a sniper rifle during World War II and the Korean Conflict.

During World War I, the sling swivel at the front of the trigger guard was omitted for ease of manufacture and was replaced with a loop. The loop was used to secure a canvas breech cover to keep mud out of the action during combat. The SMLE with the breech cover loop is more commonly found than the sling swivel.

The sling would be attached to both the forward sling swivel near the muzzle and the swivel in front of the trigger guard. The sling is lengthened and twisted one turn. The left arm, for a right-handed shooter, is placed through the loop and the left hand is placed under the fore-end of the stock. Experimentation is necessary to get the correct sling length so that it provides adequate support.

Please submit your questions to [email protected].

Lead photo is of American Rifleman Digital Managing Editor Evan Brune‘s personal Lithgow No. 1 Mk III. Unfortunately, we could not locate the original photo supplied by the reader.


See more: Lee-Enfield Rifle—Workhorse Of The British Empire

Latest

USPSA 40K Members 1A
USPSA 40K Members 1A

USPSA Membership Surges Past 40,000, Shattering All-Time Record

USPSA & Steel Challenge top 40,000 members for the first time, marking a major milestone and reflecting booming grassroots participation and competitive growth.

New: Laser Ammo Flash Bolt For AR Dry-Fire Training

Laser Ammo’s new Flash Bolt turns your AR into a dry-fire practice powerhouse.

Bunker Club Fuels 22 Junior Athletes With 2025 Grants

Bunker Club awards 22 junior shooting athletes $6,363 each to support their competitive journey in 2025.

4 Illinois Rifle Teams Set Sights On 2025 NRA F-Class Nationals

Four Illinois rifle teams set their sights on the 2025 NRA F-Class Nationals, ready to compete in Mid-Range and Long-Range events.

USPSA: Celebrating Growth, Fueling The Future

USPSA celebrates surpassing 40,000 members, with growing participation signaling a dynamic new chapter for the practical competition shooting community.

Competitors’ Corner: July 2025

Highlights from the July 2025 issue of Shooting Sports USA, the NRA’s competitive shooting journal.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.