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View Full Version : Included in the Library Now.

Stevo
10-17-2006, 11:12 AM
What do you guys think. Should I take some more pics of it to put in the Library?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/stevo8904/Lithgow1a.jpg

Unissued '44 Lithgow No1 MkIII*.
Light Infantry
10-17-2006, 11:21 AM
Yes, of course. I think we need the best example of any milsurp out there to use as reference.

How was this unissued. Was it made and then put away all these years? How did it show up in Canada?

LI
Stevo
10-17-2006, 11:24 AM
It's been in the country since the early '60's. My Father bought it in Toronto. Story at the gunstore was that there was a large freighter load of Aussie military surplus goods in the port, and this rifle had made it's way to the store somehow.

Dad took it home to Hamilton on the train, in a canvas case that was leaking cosmo everywhere. Times have sure changed.
Badger
10-17-2006, 11:31 AM
Wow....... :eek:

That's a beautiful looking piece .......... :thup:

I'm sure ~Angel~ could find a good home for it... ;)

Regards,
Badger
Stevo
10-17-2006, 11:42 AM
Wow....... :eek:

That's a beautiful looking piece .......... :thup:

I'm sure ~Angel~ could find a good home for it... ;)

Regards,
Badger

I'm sure she could. How does $1,000,000 sound?;) I always coveted this rifle and my Dad gave it to me a couple years ago. I intend my son to have it so ~Angel~'s out of luck, Badger.:p

Dad speculated that a sailor needed some beer money and liberated it from the cargo in T.O.

He or I have never seen another one like it in Canada.
myenfield
10-18-2006, 03:01 PM
I have what I would consider to be an unissued Lithgow No 1 Mk III* as well (like new but not FTR'd). IIRC, it is either 1942 or 1943. The wood has a very dull finish, not shiny like the one in the photo. If you are interested, I will post or email you photos.
Davo
10-19-2006, 01:18 AM
actually if I remember correctly there were hundreds of them piled like cordwood on the floor, covered in cosmo and wrapped in wax paper
Stevo
10-19-2006, 03:21 AM
actually if I remember correctly there were hundreds of them piled like cordwood on the floor, covered in cosmo and wrapped in wax paper

Really? Could have sworn you told it the way I remember.:o Sorry 'bout that, Dad.:)

Welcome aboard!
Redhorse
10-20-2006, 04:05 PM
Definately library material.Beautiful rifle.Regards Redhorse
tiriaq
10-20-2006, 04:18 PM
My Dad worked for Canada Customs. I remember him mentionning the load from Australia; the number 85 tons sticks in my mind. I purchased one of these rifles - it was an unissued 1942 Lithgow. IIRC it was $9.95, plus postage. Its long gone now.
Your 1944 is certainly worth displaying.
EvilAquaSnipe
10-20-2006, 04:46 PM
That is Awesome! More Pics, More Pics... LOL
Gibbs505
10-22-2006, 10:29 PM
Great rifle there stevo!
Stevo
10-22-2006, 11:40 PM
I have what I would consider to be an unissued Lithgow No 1 Mk III* as well (like new but not FTR'd). IIRC, it is either 1942 or 1943. The wood has a very dull finish, not shiny like the one in the photo. If you are interested, I will post or email you photos.

It's shiny in that pic because I'd just BLO'd the stock, and the flash makes it appear that way. It does have more of a satin finish.

Gibbs, glad you liked it. It's my favourite bolt gun.:dancingbanana:
Claven2
10-23-2006, 06:42 AM
That is Awesome! More Pics, More Pics... LOL

More pics can bee seen in the MKL postings under "Australia" ;)
ollie
10-23-2006, 03:21 PM
That explains where my '42 Lithgow came from, all matching and never FTR'ed. Beautiful Rifle Stevo! Worthy of a spot, methinks!
Cantom
10-23-2006, 08:02 PM
What do you guys think. Should I take some more pics of it to put in the Library?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/stevo8904/Lithgow1a.jpg

Unissued '44 Lithgow No1 MkIII*.

I read the story you posted on this rifle. I ended up with one of those painted Lithgows, yellow paint for the last foot of the forestock/muzzle. I got it at Lovetts for $100. Bore was a bit dark...but the rifle was otherwise like a new gun, perfect parkerizing and new Slaz wood. I still have it.
I just bought a Lithgow sporter with a good bore and intend to transfer the wood...

Wow, what a selection of smileys...what to choose...

I wonder where those perfect Lithgows were being shipped? Cleveland?
Claven2
10-23-2006, 08:56 PM
Possibly to Australia! Remember, many Aussies were posted abroad durign the war and remained as occupying troops in many locations the world over. As troops abroad got issued the SLR, they would have turned in their SMLE's which would then have either been shipped back to Australia - often via circuitous routes - or sold to an ally Commonwealth country, likely India who used these into the 1980's.