Australian M1 Garand

Assuming this is legit, it has to be one of the rarest of them all. I have heard things about the Australian attempts at manufacturing the M1 and M14 and they weren't complimentary but still, an interesting piece it is.

on used guns


Calibre 30-06
Make Lithgow
Model 30M1
Action Semi auto
Scope Open sights
Condition Excellent Very good
Serial No. 00009

Price $8500 +post
Advertised 27 Aug 11
Licence No 408604668
Comments This rifle is an extremely rare test model for their M1 Garand project, marked ADI Lithgow Australia. It is one of a very, very few, known to survive at the cessation of this project. Dealers / collectors
Contact kayhunt@bigpond.com or phone 0429 453 429
Transfer by Michael Hunt, Meadowbank, Olympic Way Koorawatha NSW

My understanding is that Lithgow contracted to make M1 receivers for Century Arms in the US. Century made up rifles and sold them here. The program was a last gasp at Lithgow and did not survive its restructuring. Official usage---very doubtful. Interesting if you collect commercial guns.

I have heard the quality was pretty poor .. and if they are commercial then the 8k is a bit of a joke.

Got to say, I have my doubts. ADI? When did they start marking that on firearms of the vintage this is supposed to be? and 30.06? with M14's in 308 why would you go backwards? Did not manage to locate the listing to have a look.

Have a read of this previous post.

M1 Garand ADI Lithgow Receiver

I sure wouldn't want to pay that kind of money and find out it wasn't what it was said to be. I would have thought the dealer would have researched more.

They are cast reproductions, we did some engineering work for them early on, they paid me with a receiver marked Badger 1 as the serial number.

They look good but I can't speak to the quality as I have never built it, it lives in a drawer in my desk.

At least one or maybe even two too many zeros on that price.

Buy the rifle, not the story.

My .308 SA inc. Garand was made in 2003 and it has an ADI receiver. Look great, functions and shoots fine. I've had zero problems with it.
Other than the receiver and barrel, all parts were a mix of late WWII and 65 series parts.

The Lithgow cast receivers were pretty much off the mark as far as accuracy. Owner above describes what are often found as problems since there is not the strength or precision of original forged receivers apparently. I've seen headspace problems listed over the years. Serrations on sights are often messed up and easily worn as material is softer.

If these had been any good, Century would still have them in their catalog. Several companies can manufacture M1 receivers, but the abundant supply of surplus at present doesn't warrant the bother. Price quoted here is purely a fisherman searching for the odd fool. Worth is perhaps 10% of this and maybe no more than 5% of asking.

I bought one when they came out. Love to shoot M1s , so pick up a NIB one and save the old warhorses . Yeh , that worked out. As I was out shooting it the first time , it was acting up a little on functioning , but was shooting good groups where it should. I don't remember what the problem was, but it seemed minor and I figured it would smooth out when broken in. Then it happened. Don't know what , exactly , but somehow a large jet of hot gas and burning powder shot up out of the action , bounced off the underside of my hat brim leaving a black scorch mark , and hit me square in the face. It was moving so fast some whipped around my safety glasses and smoked my eyes. The glasses were black and my forehead , nose and cheek areas were black and felt on fire ( powder was prob'ly still burning ). I packed up , drove to the gunshop , walked in , tossed the rifle on the counter , and told the owner I wanted a cash refund. One look at my still unwashed face , and he did so.
On the plus side , he contacted the other 5 people he'd sold these to and had them brought back and returned the whole lot to Century.
Chris

Rare...maybe in the sense that there were a lot fewer than the SA rifles. Valuable.....no at least not to me.
It's the same in any field of collecting.