Earliest Lithgow Rifles

We have discussed this before, not reaching any conclusion due to lack of information, but while trawling through a few files I came across a snippet of enlightenment.

As we have recently been following the Pratt and Whitney rifle sold from the Farris Collection, it reminded me of the followup rifles produced as out of run production before the 1913 rifles were made.

I have previously put up information on these rifles, the first 10 being in a test run, followed by two presentation rifles, these being presented to Parliament and the Minister of Defence, before the SAF began it's normal production.

That meant that there were twelve rifles not counted in production figures, manufactured in 1912.
The question was were they dated 1912?..........it looks like a no.

Both the presentation rifles were not marked in anyway, clean skins, so we can assume that the preceding 10 rifles(9 given to assembly staff, the other was on display in the managers office, taken by Radcliffe when he resigned) were also cleanskins.

So for us serious Collectors, the jobs not finished yet.
Attachment 83255

Also note the early use of Coachwood.

Fascinating. The part about quality surprises me a tad.

I gather you may have these two volumes as well Muffett pretty good info in there.
Would be nice to view one of them, be worth a pretty penny today though.

From what I can gather, the one in the case at front and centre of the Lithgow Museum was Clarkson's and it was handed in for destruction by his descendants during the purge of the late 90's.

Luckily, someone knew, or was told what it was and it found it's way home, and more importantly was saved.

Sadly, I think the other examples would have been less likely to have had the same opportunity.

Son or Bindi may wish to chime in here, but I think there were some skeletons of the trials rifles shown to us when we got the back room tour years ago.

There was definitely one barrelled action out back. I have pictures of it at home but I'm not there.

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Originally Posted by Lithy

From what I can gather, the one in the case at front and centre of the Lithgow Museum was Clarkson's and it was handed in for destruction by his descendants during the purge of the late 90's.

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Is it true that ADI handed in the whole colleciton and the Museum had to petition the government not to destroy it???

Very interesting article.

Yeah, at least one barreled action out back during the tour. Mind you, my fave was the ex-Gallipoli 14 Lithgow.

I remember that one sluggo. Got a photo of you holding it.

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Originally Posted by Jollygreenslugg

Yeah, at least one barreled action out back during the tour. Mind you, my fave was the ex-Gallipoli 14 Lithgow.

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Was that the one on its own in a cabinet? If so it wasn't on display when I was there a few weeks ago.

There was one complete rifle on display in the cabinet and one part rifle at the back.

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Originally Posted by Jollygreenslugg

Yeah, at least one barreled action out back during the tour. Mind you, my fave was the ex-Gallipoli 14 Lithgow.

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Welcome back, where have you been hiding?

Been fighting the black dog for a bit. Happy to be back, all good now.



---------- Post added at 02:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:58 PM ----------

That was a fun day, actually both days were. 2007 and 2010, how time gets away.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lithy

From what I can gather, the one in the case at front and centre of the Lithgow Museum was Clarkson's and it was handed in for destruction by his descendants during the purge of the late 90's.

Luckily, someone knew, or was told what it was and it found it's way home, and more importantly was saved.

Sadly, I think the other examples would have been less likely to have had the same opportunity.

Son or Bindi may wish to chime in here, but I think there were some skeletons of the trials rifles shown to us when we got the back room tour years ago.

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Thank god someone was Eagle eyed and clearly had an interest in Enfields and Australian history.

It's an important survivor that's for sure. It could have so easily have gone into the mangle...

I would hope it's secured for the nation in the Lithgow collection.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jollygreenslugg

Been fighting the black dog for a bit. Happy to be back, all good now.



---------- Post added at 02:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:58 PM ----------

That was a fun day, actually both days were. 2007 and 2010, how time gets away.

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It's good to see you posting again Jolly! I will find those photos first chance I get.

Hi JGS good to see you back. As said one complete out front one action out back.

Great to see you back, Matt!

Heres a couple of pics from the HT Club outing a few years ago. I did not post any back then as there was a couple of people sniffing about looking to reproduce the stamps'''

Pic 1, the rifle in the case...

Attachment 83316

Pic 2, the partial rifle "out the back"

Attachment 83315

Pic 3, ONE marking from the rifle out the back

Attachment 83314

Pic 4, nice little stamp on the bayonet too.... (not sure where this pic came from)

Attachment 83317

Nice looking bayonet too, just about flat new.

A few more

And for Jolly!

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Originally Posted by Homer

And for Jolly!

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This is the one that was missing from it's display case when I visited a few weeks ago.

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Originally Posted by Homer

And for Jolly!

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Chiming in late, but thank you for those fantastic pics, Homer!

Hi all i have a 1914 lithgow no1 mk3 with no* the serial number is X 5669 i have matching barrel action nose cap it has lithgow front band , magazine is unnumberedthe bolt is un numbered as well(NOS) it has been updated a bunch through out the 30s with a bunch of stamps on the left band . After cleaning it up i am getting ready to send it out to headspace it and test fire the old girl .it has no volley sights

Outstanding thread many thanks to those whom put it together. Great to see Lithgow's without JJJovino stamps:D

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Originally Posted by BruceHMX

Outstanding thread many thanks to those whom put it together. Great to see Lithgow's without JJJovino stamps:D

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I must say, some of my most collectable lithgows had JJco stamps.

Smerdon,
What's with the X prefix on your '14? they should not have a prefix and range from a four digit to five digit serial.

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Originally Posted by Homer

I must say, some of my most collectable lithgows had JJco stamps.

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I never knew that. Then again with Jovino purchasing such a mass quantity rifles and parts I can see where that would happen.

QUOTE=muffett.2008;417800]Smerdon,
What's with the X prefix on your '14? they should not have a prefix and range from a four digit to five digit serial.[/QUOTE]

Muffett i believe it went through a service during ww1 at one of the British factories and was returned to Aussie service . It is covered with litghow markings and service stamps . The other thing is could it be a chrome lined barrel ??? Some of these had a x prefix i believe

Attachment 88804Attachment 88803Attachment 88802Attachment 88801

That rifle has had more inspections than the Queen's Guard.

I don't think the X is a prefix.

Someone with greater knowledge than I will chime in with an explanation.

Yes if anyone has any idea what the x means please by all means lets find out the mystery ,i would like to return it to volley sights but the forend is like finding rocking horse ****. Btw i am a Aussie in USA .

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Originally Posted by Lithy

That rifle has had more inspections than the Queen's Guard.

I don't think the X is a prefix.

Someone with greater knowledge than I will chime in with an explanation.

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I believe the x is from RSAF or LSA inspection markings from what i understand they refurbished weapons in England and sent them back to us aussies .

Please can we see the whole rifle including butt?

Here you go guys this is after she has been cleaned up
[ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH]Attachment 88847[/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Looks like it need some BLO or some sort of treatment, looks dry enough to spit dust now...

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Looks like it need some BLO or some sort of treatment, looks dry enough to spit dust now...

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She has one coat so far , needs many more but I am taking the slow and steady approach to doing this it is ready for another coat soon .