Lithgow HT sniper 48334

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10-30-2013, 05:00 PM
Craig Eberhardt

Lithgow HT sniper 48334

Hello everyone,

Can someone check that this rifle is listed in Skennerton's book? I am a long way from my copy and I need to make a quick decision.

Any other info on it appreciated.

Also looking at sn 4014 enfield Ht sniper
Thanks

Craig
10-30-2013, 07:19 PM
Steve H. in N.Y.

48334 is on the list with a short bracket. Skennerton also lists 4014 Z with a medium bracket and this one underwent FTR in 1954.
10-30-2013, 10:14 PM
Craig Eberhardt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve H. in N.Y.

48334 is on the list with a short bracket. Skennerton also lists 4014 Z with a medium bracket and this one underwent FTR in 1954.

Thank you
10-31-2013, 03:23 AM
Son

Hi Craig. Rifle number 48334 hasn't surfaced before (recent years) for public sale or had details offered to me for my survey.

From the numbers, it went to store on 16/11/45, quite late in production, and was in the last 60 or 70 rifles completed before production was stopped mid Feb '46.
The scope and mounts should be numbered around the 1660 to 1670 mark.
I see in the picks, the scope case seems to have a number penned onto it. This should be the serial number of the rifle, but might not be.... If it has a number on it, would be interested to know what it is, might indicate the scopes were mixed up, might only have mixed the cases up. The engraved "Rifle No. XXXXX" on the scope being the correct one is more important.
10-31-2013, 07:08 AM
Craig Eberhardt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Son

Hi Craig. Rifle number 48334 hasn't surfaced before (recent years) for public sale or had details offered to me for my survey.

From the numbers, it went to store on 16/11/45, quite late in production, and was in the last 60 or 70 rifles completed before production was stopped mid Feb '46.
The scope and mounts should be numbered around the 1660 to 1670 mark.
I see in the picks, the scope case seems to have a number penned onto it. This should be the serial number of the rifle, but might not be.... If it has a number on it, would be interested to know what it is, might indicate the scopes were mixed up, might only have mixed the cases up. The engraved "Rifle No. XXXXX" on the scope being the correct one is more important.

Thanks Son,

The scope mounts are numbered 1742 which is also on the brass ring at the rear of the scope. I am yet to find out if this number is also on the front of the front base as well. It is a low mount scope though and it is serially numbered to the gun.

I think that the case is an extra.

The but is stamped R MA 11/45 which seems right.

The nose cap is matching and the stock is marked SLAZENGER 44 and has the plug.

Find out the markings on the barrel tomorrow morning.
10-31-2013, 07:31 AM
Son

Scope rings and bases numbered 1742 seemed a little out of step, but after looking through my data again, I see another rifle completed and sent to store on the same day with bases 1741. Other examples of numbers in the early 1700's were dated jan and feb '46. It appears some got out of sequence there, so no need for concern at all.

Cheers
10-31-2013, 07:16 PM
aussietomcatter

Good luck!
11-01-2013, 01:21 AM
Craig Eberhardt

Got it
11-03-2013, 08:38 AM
aussietomcatter

Lucky bastard! Pics when possible mate so I can drool over them! :)
11-04-2013, 05:56 AM
Craig Eberhardt

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussietomcatter

Lucky bastard! Pics when possible mate so I can drool over them! :)

Won't have it for weeks but I will post photos when I can.

I paid heaps for it but it looks like it is in great nick.

In 1988 I baulked at buying one in its original chest with complete CES for $900!!! It has taken 26 years to finally land one and I am rapt.

Now I need a matching high mount...
11-04-2013, 06:59 AM
Simon

Was the CES For the Lithgow Snipers similar to that for the 4(T)?
11-04-2013, 07:06 AM
Badger

For research purposes and comparisons, check the MKL for hundreds of close up pics displayed for both versions of the HT snipers.

1917/1945 No.1 MkIII* H.T. Sniper Rifle (Short Bracket)

1916/1945 No.1 MkIII* H.T. Sniper Rifle (Medium Bracket)

Hope that helps... :cheers:

Regards,
Doug
11-04-2013, 03:09 PM
Craig Eberhardt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon

Was the CES For the Lithgow Snipers similar to that for the 4(T)?

It was a long time ago but I recall a box, telescope, cleaning kit and leather caps for the telescope and scope. It also had a scope can. One of my very few regrets....
11-05-2013, 03:26 AM
Son

1 Attachment(s)

Here's a pic of an original box, two rifles (The box contained two rifles) two scope cases, two sets of leather scope caps, two TEL. SCT. REGT telescopes and their cases, two Owen Gun bayonets, a British sniper's pocket watch and a compass.

The box was decked out to hold two rifles with provision for two scopes in their cases. It also appears to be set up for two bayonets. I have included the Owen bayonets in this pic as they were apparently available for issue with the HT on request. Not sure about pocket watches and compasses in the Aussie kits. I'm told the rifles were issued without their crates so perhaps their wasn't much extra gear involved.

Attachment 46916
11-05-2013, 04:38 AM
Craig Eberhardt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Son

Here's a pic of an original box, two rifles (The box contained two rifles) two scope cases, two sets of leather scope caps, two TEL. SCT. REGT telescopes and their cases, two Owen Gun bayonets, a British sniper's pocket watch and a compass.

The box was decked out to hold two rifles with provision for two scopes in their cases. It also appears to be set up for two bayonets. I have included the Owen bayonets in this pic as they were apparently available for issue with the HT on request. Not sure about pocket watches and compasses in the Aussie kits. I'm told the rifles were issued without their crates so perhaps their wasn't much extra gear involved.

Attachment 46916

It was a long time ago but I recall that the Qld museum bought it...it is now welded up and no longer on display. As I said one of my few regrets.

When I get it can I send the photos to you for posting and your records? I am not very technical with such things.

Thanks to all the forum members for the assistance given to me in relation to this and several other purchases. I really appreciate it.

Regards

Craig
11-05-2013, 06:04 AM
Son

Once you get the rifle I will help you work through the details for my survey and if there is any more information I can get from it's markings, I will write it out for you. Also I have a brief history of them written that I will send to you.

The guys here will enjoy your pics, so if you can't load them up I would be happy to.

Cheers,
Brad.
11-05-2013, 11:55 AM
Simon

Brad,

Thanks for the pic.

I'm assuming the inverted "This Way Up" is to emphasise the point that it's Australian????:lol:

Cheers,

Simon.
11-05-2013, 03:43 PM
bigduke6

Interesting that the Owen SMG bayonet was part of the kit, you learn something new every day as they say.
11-05-2013, 03:48 PM
Bindi2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon

Brad,

Thanks for the pic.

I'm assuming the inverted "This Way Up" is to emphasise the point that it's Australian????:lol:

Cheers,

Simon.

Thanks to a certain Pime Minister ( JWH) we used to be able to have two one that way up full of 303s ( Lithgows of course ) and the other way up full of SLRS ( Lithgows of course ) Now days many of us just dream about what was or turned the empty one back to 303s and bought more Lithgows from O/S ( he tried to stop them being available to Australians )
Like that photo.:super: