Lithgow Rifles Survey

[Homer]

Without seeing it Brian I would suggest the second number is the inventory number for the military district it was issued to. That's generally the case when there is some confusion over a second number. Also 51000 is probably too low a number for normal run in production. The first 1917 dated actions seem to come in at about 60000 from what I've seen, happy to be corrected there, I certainly haven't seen them all I'm at work so I can't really assist with photos to demonstrate right at this moment but I will tonight.

[muffett.2008]

Thanks Brian, I'm in agreement with Andrew, the S/N would be 81404.
The question regarding position of the date stamp was a bit leading up until 1918, the date stamp was between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch below the Shield.
From 1918 it moved up to the base of the shield and the point of the shield was in line with the middle digits.
This positioning gives us an idea on whether it is a replacement receiver or not.
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[muffett.2008]

May update.
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[303Aus.]

1/ Lithgow -- 1915 -- No. 1 Mk. 111 -- Ser' 35370 -- 1945 barrel no Ser'.

2/ Lithgow -- 1920 -- No. 1 Mk. 111* - Ser' A80706 - 1921 barrel matching No.

3/ Lithgow -- 1941 -- No. 1 Mk. 111* - Ser' C41863 - 1953 Lithgow barrel -- Motty fitted.

4/ Lithgow -- 1942 -- No. 1 Mk. 111* - Ser' C98854 - 1942 barrel matching No.

5/ Lithgow -- 1943 -- No. 1 Mk. 111* - Ser' E86573 - 1944 (Jan) barrel matching No.

More to come.

[22lrdave]

If Muffett.2008 is still doing his survey,I have a 1941 Lithgow No1 MkIII, (that I've restored from a sporter). Serial# B74269.The barrel looks to have 11 '44 stamped on it, but I'm not 100% sure if that's right. Maybe one of you guys could confirm that's a rebarrel date.

[muffett.2008]

Nice rifle, yep....all's good.
When the next update is posted, please check your numbers.........I lost all this with a Ransomware virus and only pieced it back together by using the last posted update and all the scraps of paper with numbers that I had not thrown away.

Beside these two lists I run here, I lost other sheets with additional info, those I cannot get back.......and I doubt that I'm inclined to retype them, finding all that info would be just to labour intensive.

[muffett.2008]

Ian from LEONORA W.A, please contact me direct on Email: aberdeenrc@ozemail.com.au
I have lost the pic's of your 1930 rifle, if you can resend to that email address, also is that 5MD on the top?

I tried to add this on Gunboards, but the bulk of the text disappeared, as that site is where I picked up the virus my new Security program gives me limited access over there.

[mike16]

My 40 MA Lithgow III serial number B56204 has a matching barrel dated 5 -41.

[muffett.2008]

Oct. '16 update.
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[Colorado68]

Hello folks.
My first post and first SHTLE I've owned.
It's a 1916 Lithgow. Serial number is a bit strange as it has the number 1 over what would be the serial number. 1/8617
Would this mean it's production #18,617 for 1916?
Barrel does not have a serial number but was manufactured/replaced in 1942.
The rest of the rifle has matching Ser#'s to the receiver(bolt,butt,forearm,nose-cap)
Hope this helps your survey.