Developed at the tail end of the 1930s and early 1940s upon request from the British government, the Smith & Wesson Light Rifle was a contender for military contracts with both the British and the Americans and squared off against the M1 Carbine as a pistol substitute for officers and support personnel. While it had some novel features, such as the dual-purpose magazine well/ejector port, it failed at trials. Large numbers of the Light Rifles were destroyed, both during testing and afterwards, including a reported incident of the British cutting their Light Rifle samples up with a blowtorch and tossing the resulting scrap into the English Channel. Per an included letter from Roy Jinks, this Light Rifle was part of a batch of 137 Mark Is found in S&W inventory in 1974, which were liquidated as curios with explicit instructions that they were not to be loaded or fired. Fixed blade front and adjustable notch rear sight. The wide magazine housing serves a dual purpose; the front section holds the magazine, and the rear portion is the ejection port, so the fired cartridges are ejected directly to the ground instead of into the air. The action operates from an open bolt, with the cocking hook on the right side above the patent markings, and right side mounted rotary safety. The left side of the action is marked with the two-line Smith & Wesson address. The pistol grip stock is made of a black plastic/composite material and is fitted with a serrated metal buttplate that is marked with the serial number. Includes a brown leather sling, four extra magazines, and a barrel wrench. Note: This item features a high-capacity magazine which has a capacity above 10 rounds and cannot be sold or transferred to residents in states where long gun magazine capacity is limited to no more than 10 rounds. Please check your local laws and regulations prior to bidding.

Excellent, 90% plus original blue finish, showing mild oxidization concentrated on and in the barrel fluting, some pitting visible on charging handle, and light scratches and handling marks overall. The right side of the magazine well assembly is dented; this dent is shallow, and does not affect function. The stock is excellent, with some light scuffs and scratches. Mechanically excellent.