This is a scarce example of a WWII issued Australian No 1 MK III H.T. sniper rifle that was assembled in 1944. The Australian Army never converted over to the Mk 4 No.1 rifles and instead used the earlier WWI style rifles manufactured at the Lithgow factory. This example was actually manufactured in 1917 and is considered as the "high" mounted sniper scope with approximately 1,250 total being manufactured. These rifles used the WWI 1918 pattern sniper scope that had 3x magnification. These rifles also used a heavy pattern "target barrel" that was actually developed after WWI by the Australian shooting clubs. These heavy pattern barrels are identified by a "H" stamped on top of the knox form of the barrel, as is in the case of this rifle, to designate a heavy pattern barrel. The buttsocket is marked with the capital "A" inside a star pattern over "LITHGOW/SHT.LE/III/1917," and the receiver, bolt and nosecap area all correctly serial numbered "84866". They were fitted with a set of claw mounted scope bases on the receiver that used a double claw front mount with a single claw off-set rear mount. The sniper scope, as noted, is a correct (albeit non-matching) 1918 pattern scope that is marked on top: "SIGHT, TELESCOPE/PATT.1918.(AUST)/AOC/V 37408/1944", and it has the correct top turret ring graduated from 1-10. The rifle is fitted with an original coachwood stock and handguard set that are correctly serial numbered to the rifle (84866) with the right side of the buttstock stamped with: "LITHGOW/SMLE/III */H/1943". The top of the buttstock is also fitted with an original/correct cheekpiece secured with two wood screws. It has the original green parkerize type metal finish on the rifle and blued scope and scope mounts. It is complete with a set of original leather scope covers and a commercial leather sling.

Very fine with 80% of the arsenal metal finishes as noted above showing wear on the edge and high spots of the rifle overall. The scope and mounts retain 97% of their blued finish with nice clear optics. The markings on the rifle and scope are clear and distinct. The wood components are all very fine with a nice matching medium brown color overall and visible stock markings. This is a seldom encountered example of a WWII Australian No 1 MK III sniper rifle.