Value of Lithgow L1A1 skeleton

[Peter Laidler]

Any reason for the standard AD type serial numbers on the body and trigger mech housing plus the SR number?
Any reason why the AD serial numbers on the body and TMH differ? One starts AD63 and the other starts AD68

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[nzl1a1collector]

Any reason for the standard AD type serial numbers on the body and trigger mech housing plus the SR number?
Any reason why the AD serial numbers on the body and TMH differ? One starts AD63 and the other starts AD68

Well spotted Peter............ I was freeking out a little bit at the auction when I first examined the rifle and wondered the very same thing. I managed to get a photo of the rifle at the Lithgow Museum (SR8800028) and it too has a reused Body as you can make out AD 71 FTR XXXXX to the left of the ejection port. What a huge relief to me!

I think Lithgow assembled these 34 Special Rifles on the cheap using any 'spare rifles' floating around the factory at the time.

[tankhunter]

I think Lithgow assembled these 34 Special Rifles on the cheap using any 'spare rifles' floating around the factory at the time.

OR, assembled from left over spare parts from stripped Unserviceable Rifles. This would explain the mismatch of the TMH & Reciever Serial Numbers.
Makes sense to me, Why modify a complete matched ser,no Rifle if it's servicable & a shooter ready to be returned to a unit?
Much better to complete the project with bits & bobs if it's NEVER going to fire again.
DP's were moded similarly, but usually from worn & out of limit weapons. Perfectly adequete for the task in Dry Training.