Please be advised: this website contains the names, images and voices of people who are now deceased.

Collections WA has a responsibility to preserve and make accessible the history and culture of Western Australia in all its various forms. The intention of Collections WA is to support research, and to reveal actions of the past that have impacted upon communities, families, and individuals.

In doing so, Collections WA acknowledges the need to respond sensitively and appropriately in cases when accessing this material may be confronting to Aboriginal visitors and clients.

Please also note: Some historical materials within this portal may include language or opinions that today are considered inappropriate or even offensive. Collections WA does not endorse this language and apologises for any distress caused.

Continue

Continue showing cultural advice

Stop showing cultural advice

Collections WA brings together collections from libraries, galleries, museums, archives, historical societies, cultural organisations, community groups and other collecting organisations across Western Australia.

West Australian Rifle Association > Records

Lithgow .303 Mark III rifle

« Prev Item Next Item »

c. 1918

Overview

Rifle

Historical information

“CMF 3MD 2741” indicates issue to the Citizen Military Forces (Australian part-time/reserve forces) in the 3rd Military District, which covered Victoria, with “2741” being the district inventory or rack number.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-205-2025.128A

Inscriptions and markings

On stock
“CMF 3MD”
“2741”
“12/18”
“III HV”
"Lithgow" mark
Breech: “56735” “A2741”

Contextual information

"III HV” on the stock very likely records the month and year of CMF issue or reissue (December 1918), the Mark of rifle (Mk III), and “HV” noting the high‑velocity sighting standard used after the change in .303 service ammunition. In this configuration, the rifle is best understood as a Lithgow-made SMLE Mk III/III* in .303 British, later allocated to the Victorian CMF, retaining its military pattern with 10‑round magazine, charger loading, and standard SMLE sights.

Year

Last modified

Wednesday, 25 February, 2026

Completeness

83

West Australian Rifle Association

West Australian Rifle Association

Other items from West Australian Rifle Association

firearm

Lithgow .303 Mark III rifle

Media reuse | View full size | Item feedback

Scan this QR code to open this page on your phone ->

Full size unavailable (you're already seeing this image in its highest resolution available on Collections WA)

Loading...