Yes meatball its bad news if you thought you had a minty and matching from the factory Lithgowicon. Your research is all correct in that you have a fully matching JJco lithgow numbered by JJco. They are not my thing but many seem to have and enjoy them so perhaps you can learn to love it.

RJ the 1918 lithgow would not be correct with the A suffix in the serial number. I'm sure you probably meant A8888