Update 14th February 2015— 

• Shortened SMLE rifles... We have observed a number of shortened No.1 rifles with UK origin. These are often described as 'jungle rifles' but don't necessarily conform with the Lithgow WW2 'Shortened and Lightened' series (20.2-in. barrels; a few with 18.2-in. barrels). Inventory in official collections and being converted or modified from earlier or down-graded SMLE rifles, there is some reason other than 'jungle rifle' as they pre-date requirement for the Far East. Examination of some in the Robert W. Faris collection lead us to believe they were likely modified at Base Ordnance Depots or by unit armourers when there has been such a requirement. Some parts including bodies are unnumbered, drawn from spares; others from broken-down rifles.
  
  Some AFV and vehicle parts schedules list rifle racks- 2 or 3 clip racks are noted. However in some cases, their position and fitting precludes a 44.5-in. long SMLE. Pre-WW2, this only leaves a shortened No.1, by about 5-inches. Such a shortened rifle in the Faris collection, with obvious signs of being test fired, lead us to conclude that the only requirement for a 2nd line shortened rifle would be for vehicle carriage, even during WW2 when this particular example was done, modified from a 1941 Lithgow. Requirement for 'tanker' models extends well beyond the British realm as we well know. So after the word gets around, beware of fakes, as is the case with many U.S. 'tankers'!

• A belated post  courtesy of Ian Kuring, former Singleton Army Museum W.O. curator and author of 'Redcoats to Cams', and an acquaintance of Herb Woodend. Ian sent us some photos of a memorial in the Enfield housing estate. With original Pattern Room building preserved, this fitting tribute to Herb is now attached to the building wall, per these photos.

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• The Faris British collection catalogue will be available in a 2-disc set with .pdf files along with DVD Robert Faris memorial and collection album. 'FULL ON - FULL AUTO' should be available around April.

• Our first Small Arms Series Live DVD & computer resources CD is getting closer to release... The first issue is '.303 SMLE with Brian Labudda', a 1hr 23min DVD with history, models & markings, safety, live fire, field cleaning, armourer stripping & maintenance, range shoots and collecting segments.
  
  The accompanying interactive CD has out-of-print books as .pdf files, old and new photos in model folders, armourers charts as .tiff & .jpg files, research material such as manufacturing specifications, et cetera. Price for the 2-disc set will be $35; copy protection will be installed to prevent illegal copying.
  
  Next in the series will be '.303 Rifles No.4 & No.5 with Brian Labudda' , expected availability later this year. The planned series will include pistols and machine guns of British, U.S., German and Soviet origin. We are moving away from publishing due to declines in readers and fewer new enthusiasts along with increased restrictions on firearms and edged weapons collecting and ownership. DVDs and computer related media seem to be the way now.  'A picture is worth a thousand words' - details on movie and DVD even better

• A new internet firearms sales site in Oz, www.universalusedguns.com.au
  Check out their offerings. Based in Victoria, the manager is Andrew and after a hearty chat, we are happy to swap links. Good luck guys!

• We recently worked on a short documentary on Cobb & Co. at Surat and Yuleba in western Queensland. An interesting mix of Aussie history and country people, horses and the like. The DVD is $25 plus $4 p&p; if you are interested, contact Ian, idskennerton@hotmail.com 

• For New Zealand illustrated lists of rifles, carbines pistols, bayonets, artillery & AFV's from colonial times to present, go to www.armsregister.com  This excellent and frequently updated site is researched and maintained by Kiwi stalwarts Phil Cregeen and John Osborn. Great job, lads!

• New .22 rimfire sporting rifle from Lithgow, the LA101. This 'CrossOver' is a bolt action 5-shot rifle, a fitting successor to the Slazenger Models 1 and 12. It is touted to become available in .22LR, .22 WMR and .17HMR chamberings. The design is distinctively European and the 5-round plastic magazine is CZ compatible. Left-hand models are to be available and centre-fire variants in .223 Remington and .308 Winchester reported to be in the pipeline.
  
  The barrel is cold hammer-forged, medium weight profile with target crown. A synthetic one-piece stock adds to a Steyr Mannlicher appearance. No fixed sights fitted, intended for Weaver style bases and telescopic sight. The trigger is not adjustable, with 1lb and 2lb springs..

• New US postal address for A&M Press... 1638 NE Beverly Drive, Grants Pass, OR 97526, USA. Our post office sub-station closed end of 2013.

• A new sniper record? Aussies this time. Delta Coy., 2 Commando Regt. in Helmund province. Two SAS marksmen fired simultaneously with .50 Barrett M82A1's at Taliban; GPS recorded 2.815km, killing the commander. Bullets were 6 seconds in the air; targets did not hear the shot. The 'Telegraph' story quotes 2 men firing simultaneously so unknown who scored the kill. From our experience, a little unlikely as the chance of having targets ID'd, verified and permission to engage, then ranging and confirmation by the spotter, and two troopers squeezing off at the same time is tall odds. Maybe SAS anonymity, not wanting to be named. But this beats the earlier British record of 2.47km.

• New www.sparrowforce.com website is updated as more photos come to hand. DVD & computer CD sets 'Footsteps of Sparrow Force' and 'Guns & Gear of Sparrow Force' are available, see top left of our home page.

• Our 'Enfield Pattern Room' DVD now available With specialised content, the copy run is limited. $19.50 plus $5 p&p in Australia, $8 p&p to N.Z. and $10 p&p to America & Europe.

• New 7.62mm NATO Sharpshooter rifle for the British Army? The L129A1 by Lewis Machine & Tool Co., Milan, IL The first batch of 500 Stoner type rifles was delivered, more likely to follow. One piece upper with full-length Picatinny rail, quick change stainless barrel in 305, 406 & 508mm lengths on a one-piece upper. Looks like an AR10 with M16 shorty butt.

• 40 Handbooks : US Krag, Carcano, MAS 36, Beretta Pistols, Hi-Standard Pistols, Glock Pistols, .303 SMLE, British No.4, M17/P14, Mauser Rifles, Win. Mod 97, Win. Mod 12, M1 Carbine, M1 Garand, 1903 Springfield, FN FAL, M-14, AR15/M16, Browning HP, C'96 Mauser pistol, .45 M1911, Luger, P-38, Makarov, AK47, SKS, Mosin-Nagant, Mod 70 Win, Mod 94 Win, .22 Mod 61 Win, Jap Service Pistols, 6.5 T'38 Arisaka, 7.7 T'99 Arisaka, S&W Revolvers, Walther PP & PPK, .22 Ruger Mk I & II, Schmit Rubin, Ruger Mini-14, Ruger 10/22 & Mod 1892 Winchester.

• Check our www.enfieldcollector.com site; there will eventually be pages on .577 Enfield, Snider-Enfield, Martini, MLM & MLE, SMLE, Rifle No.4, &c.

• Proofed Action Assembly numbers confirm original fitting of a breech bolt & body on SMLE's, especially Lithgows, stamped before the serial number after proof. PAA numbers are small engineers stamps under the bolt handle and on the corresponding area at the rear, right of the action body.

DVD & CD $35

DVD & CD $35

DVD only $19.50

#23 Lee-Enfield Parts Catalogue

WinM1892

Ruger10/22

SchmidtRubin

Mini-14

US Krag

NOW ~~~  Small Arms Identification Series   last series titles ... US$10.00 ea.
SAIS #22 British Empire Sniper Rifles with parts, line drawings, mounts & scopes.
New information on the Canadian, Australian & Indian conversions.
SAIS #23 Lee-Enfield Parts Catalogue shows MLM, MLE, SMLE, No.4, No.5 & .22 rifle parts by items. Side by side comparisons: bodies, bolts, sights, nosecaps, furniture, &c.
SAIS #24 9mm Sten Mk V, VI & II(S) to complement SAIS #11 on the Mk I, II & III Sten models. This is the final booklet in our Small Arms Identification Series manuals.