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THE Lee-Enfield .303 was the standard rifle for the British and Commonwealth troops. There were several Marks (versions) of the rifle.
From photos it appears that the Australians were equipped with Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield (S.M.L.E) No. 1 Mark IIIs or Mark III*s which were probably manufactured in Australia in Lithgow, NSW. It had a ten round magazine. The 25.2in barrel had five groves with a left-hand twist.
Australia troops were also issued with a small number of American-built Lee-Enfield No. 3 Mark I rifles (designated P14). These rifles had telescopic sites and were used by snipers.
The .303 was a rimmed cartridge; an older generation cartridge than the rimless cartridges used by the Germans. |
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