My Rifle - Aussie clone.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Lithgow wooden carrying handles?

Yep. "Non-rotating" type on early trials versions and into early production.

There were TWO types: The early one was "non-rotating", the later, rotated..

Several pages of the Skennerton 1989 book, "S.L.R, Australia's F.A.L" refer to and show photos of the development of the carrying handles. This includes conversion of non-rotating types to "rotating". The classic "green plastic" handles came on line in 1965

The entire point of the handle was for "odd-job" carry. Stretcher bearer's for a start. Anybody else who had to carry / operate with a toolbox, ammo carrier, etc in a "hot" zone.. "Battlefield clearance", (cleaning up the two-way range after an engagement). Armourers lacking a suitable "cart" taking several rifles from the armoury to the workshop.