Butt Slide Types

[peregrinvs]

Anyone intrested in Lithgow Barrel production?

Yes. What have you learned about Lithgow barrel production?

Cheers,
Mark

[Kev G]

Very late arriving at this thread but there were also the MK3 variants culminating in the MK2/3 slide.

ZGB,the Aussie MKI slide with the rounded trigger axis pin machining is A22. I'm waiting for Kerry at Lithgow Small Arms Collection to get back to me to see if he can trace when the change over occured to the simplified square machining.

Will try and do some pics Peter but work is taking all my time lately.

Brit P , I think all the Monotype guns to the end of production (RB serial range) kept with the 'scalloped' rear end.

ATB Kevin.

[Brit plumber]

Sorry this has taken so long

This is a work in progress so with more info, I should be able to pin down production further.

All Lithgow barrels carry individual serial numbers which are separate to the Gun serial number marked on the barrel. As normally found the second or ‘Spare’ barrel was suffixed by the letter ‘S’, Also on these barrels can be found the manufacture date in the format 12’45. I’ve been collating what details I can from these barrels and have come to the following conclusions. As further numbers are passed over I may be able to be a bit more specific.
I have found that the barrel serial numbers as roughly twice the gun serial numbers for the first few years but as further new replacement barrels are required, this becomes less reliable.
It would appear the Mk1 barrel was deffinately in use at least until April 1942, Gun serial number A2500, but deffinatly no later than Feb 1943, Gun serial number A7350.
When Bren production ceased in August 1945 some components were still being produced as spares, but production had slowed dramatically and possibly ceased in late 1945/ Early 46. Sometime in the early 1950s Lithgow started producing the Mk2 Barrel again, the earliest I have observed is Aug 1952 and the latest is March 1954, approx 4000 barrels were produced in this time and judging by the quantity of Lithgow, Enfield and Inglis guns FTR’d in the 1950s programme, there are probably many more outside these date ranges yet to be seen.
I’m still looking at the various carry handle assemblies manufactured by Lithgow, the earliest is identical to the early Enfield pattern with the 1 piece machining, and lightning holes in the collar (rarest), The next is a 1 piece machined item like the earlier pattern but minus the lightening holes, most often encountered on the Mk1 barrel but sometimes found on Mk2 barrels,( possibly recycled from Mk1 scrap barrels). Next came the much simpler type, very much like the Enfield Mk1m/Mk2 type, and then the last version I’ve encountered, a cross between a Mk3 and a Mk2 type. This type is a Mk2 type with a machined curve in the leading edge in the same style as the Mk3, this is the most common type observed and could possibly date from 1945 or more probably, the 1950s FTR programme.

ATB Chris.

[Peter Laidler]

Jeeeeeees........, I'd better update the Lithgow barrel info before the book is printed...................

[peregrinvs]

the last version I’ve encountered, a cross between a Mk3 and a Mk2 type. This type is a Mk2 type with a machined curve in the leading edge in the same style as the Mk3, this is the most common type observed and could possibly date from 1945 or more probably, the 1950s FTR programme.

Well, well. I saw one of those a few months ago and wondered what it was. I think I vaguely assumed it was some sort of FTR modification to lighten a Mk2 sleeve.

Mark

[ZGB]

The earliest date i have for the Mk2/3 scalloped handle is on a 12/43 dated barrel s/n A6954 then its common on 44/45 barrels.The change over date from holed to solid handles seems to be between 2/42 - 5/42 can not be more specific with the info i have.

[Kev G]

Yes the Korea war might have stepped things up a little bit at Lithgow in 50's with 3 RAR arriving in Sept 50.
The year before 49-50 Lithgow had only made 15 Bren gun attachments and brackets and reconditioned 50 Brens.

[42rocker]

Great Thread, better if updated with pics. Help Please. Pics of the different type of mk1 slides please.

This is a link to some mk1 slide pics posted by Brit Plumber

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=60896&page=2

Do all of the mk1 manufacturers looks the same? Two basic styles of slides? Are there more or just these two for all of the manufacturers?

Later 42rocker