This is a very scarce example of a WWII issued Australian No 1 MK III H.T. sniper rifle that was arsenal refurbished/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 to produced these rifles. Reportedly there were approximately 365 of these sniper rifles manufactured/assembled in 1944. The rifle was originally a 1915 dated rifle that was completely rebuilt/converted into this sniper variant. They were all fitted with the WWI 1918 pattern sniper scopes with a 3x magnification. The scopes were attached to the rifles via a set of claw mounted scope bases that used a double claw front mount and a single claw, off-set rear mount. This set-up is identical to the WWI German GEW sniper rifles that proved to be very robust and easy to produce. They were also fitted with a heavyweight "target type barrel" that was actually developed after WWI by the Australian shooting clubs. These heavy pattern barrels can be identified by a capital letter "H" stamped on top of the knox form of the barrel as well as on the top of the wrist area of the buttstock, as in this case, to designate it is fitted with the heavy pattern barrel. The buttsocket is marked with the capital "A" inside a star pattern over "LITHGOW/SHT.LE/III/1915," and it has a matching bolt and nosecap. The sniper scope, as noted, is fitted with a non-matching, 1918 pattern scope, marked on top: "SIGHT, TELESCOPE/PATT.1918.(AUST)/AOC/V/1944", and on the lower right side with "RIFLE No.58305". The scope is fitted with a correct elevation dial graduated, "1-10" (100-1000 meters). The rifle is fitted with an original coach wood stock and handguard set with the right side of the buttstock stamped with: "MAO/SMLE/III */H/1944". 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 leather scope covers and a canvas scope bag that is numbered "94029".

Fine with 70% of the arsenal parkerized finish overall showing light wear on the edges and high spots overall with some wear and finish loss on top of the scope bases. The scope retains 85% of its original blue finish overall with clear optics. The stock and handguard set are all very good with a nice smooth reoiled finish and still retain the proofs and factory markings on the butt. A very scarce WWII Australian No.1 MK III* H.T. Sniper Rifle.