These are original Australian WW2 produced Inner Bands for the SMLE, Rifle No1 Mk III & III*. As a wartime concession these were cast in bronze or brass.

Only produced in Australia between August 1942 and some time in 1945 when steel was reverted to, both the inner and outer bands were produced in bronze - or as it is sometimes stated brass. Originally these were blackened, however the blackening medium did not stick well to the metal and it is rare to find either these days with anything other than traces of the finish remaining.

These inner bands are in good to excellent condition, although all have been recovered from issue rifles. Many are marked 'III' in the flat of the screw boss, some are also stamped 'OA' for Orange Arsenal, some are unmarked. All take the standard 'Screw, Inner Band' as used with the original steel inner bands.

Unit of Sale; 1 band.

Original Australian Army Part No; N/K.

Stock No; EFDSMLESP92

Please note; These were only for the standard SMLE Mk III & III*, they were NOT used on the Australian Heavy Barreled SMLE which dispensed with an inner band altogether.