| Place | Oceania: Australia, New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/16021.001 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Firearm |
| Physical description | Brass, Steel, Wood |
| Location | Main Bld: First World War Gallery: The Anzac Story: Gallipoli: Anzac The Landing |
| Place made | Australia: New South Wales, Lithgow |
| Date made | 1914 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Short Magazine Lee-Enfield No 1 Mk III Rifle
Description
Short Magazine Lee-Enfield No 1 Mk III Rifle. The receiver is marked with the Lithgow Small Arms manufacturer trade mark shield over 1914. The knox form and butt are stamped with 2MD over 31648. The rifle is complete with a webbing sling.
History / Summary
The Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) was the main battle rifle of the Australian Army for the First and Second World War and also the Korean War. The Royal Australian Navy and Air Force also used the rifle. Australian forces used both Australian made SMLE and British manufactured rifles. The SMLE was replaced by the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) in the late 1950's.
This particular rifle was issued to the Second Military District (New South Wales) after it was constructed in 1914, evidenced by their stamping of '2MD' into the wooden butt of the rifle.