by Advisory Panel Member "Son"
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Lithgow SAF Museum Tour
by Advisory Panel Member "Son"
The Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum is a stand alone operation totally reliant on the volunteers for their time and expertise. Many of these gentlemen are retired former employees of the factory, and as such hold a great wealth of knowledge that they are willing to share with visitors. The setting up of a research area with access to displays and documents held at the Museum is on the agenda. There is a comprehensive range of reference books for sale, including what looks to be all the available works by Ian Skennerton, Ron Hayes’ Handgun Omnibus, as well as other detailed publications on the factory and the production of Lee Enfield rifles in general. They also sell a range of souvenirs too.
Funding for the upkeep of the Museum comes from their low admission fees, sales generated at the shop and any public donations they happily receive. As I understand, they receive no government assistance at all, and only occupy the land and building at the old factory front gate at the grace of the owners and current operators of the Lithgow Small Arms factory, Thales Pty Ltd.
Inside the foyer there is a display of Lee Enfield components in various stages of manufacture. Turn right down the corridor to enter the main exhibition hall.
This walking tour through the lower floor exhibits in the Lithgow SAF Museum begins inside the door to the left, where the display of production and prototype bayonets is on the wall. We proceed along the left side, to the back and then the right until we get back to the door. From there we go to the start again, but look around the machinegun displays on floor level on the left side and the rear walls. Continuing with a lap around the display pieces in the centre of the hall, finishing with the glass case inside the entry which houses the first production Pratt & Whitney machinery trials SMLE. Below that is serial number 0001 Lithgow L1A1, serial number 0001 F1, and serial number 8800001 Austeyr .
These pictures are to give you an idea of what you can find there. Come to Lithgow and walk amongst the history lining the walls, talk to the keepers about their experiences and take home fond memories of the occasion.
In 2012 they will be celebrating a hundred years of production at the factory.
Lithgow SAF Museum Tour
by Advisory Panel Member "Son"
(57 picture virtual tour)
by Advisory Panel Member "Son"
The Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum is a stand alone operation totally reliant on the volunteers for their time and expertise. Many of these gentlemen are retired former employees of the factory, and as such hold a great wealth of knowledge that they are willing to share with visitors. The setting up of a research area with access to displays and documents held at the Museum is on the agenda. There is a comprehensive range of reference books for sale, including what looks to be all the available works by Ian Skennerton, Ron Hayes’ Handgun Omnibus, as well as other detailed publications on the factory and the production of Lee Enfield rifles in general. They also sell a range of souvenirs too.
Funding for the upkeep of the Museum comes from their low admission fees, sales generated at the shop and any public donations they happily receive. As I understand, they receive no government assistance at all, and only occupy the land and building at the old factory front gate at the grace of the owners and current operators of the Lithgow Small Arms factory, Thales Pty Ltd.
Inside the foyer there is a display of Lee Enfield components in various stages of manufacture. Turn right down the corridor to enter the main exhibition hall.
This walking tour through the lower floor exhibits in the Lithgow SAF Museum begins inside the door to the left, where the display of production and prototype bayonets is on the wall. We proceed along the left side, to the back and then the right until we get back to the door. From there we go to the start again, but look around the machinegun displays on floor level on the left side and the rear walls. Continuing with a lap around the display pieces in the centre of the hall, finishing with the glass case inside the entry which houses the first production Pratt & Whitney machinery trials SMLE. Below that is serial number 0001 Lithgow L1A1, serial number 0001 F1, and serial number 8800001 Austeyr .
These pictures are to give you an idea of what you can find there. Come to Lithgow and walk amongst the history lining the walls, talk to the keepers about their experiences and take home fond memories of the occasion.
In 2012 they will be celebrating a hundred years of production at the factory.
Lithgow SAF Museum Tour
by Advisory Panel Member "Son"
(57 picture virtual tour)
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Collector's Comments and Feedback:
1. Here's an additional 150 picture photo montage of my tour of the Lithgow Museum in March 2010. ....... (Feedback by Bill "Bojangles" Robinson)
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