My "Brand New" 1917 Lithgow

[aussietomcatter]

Will be there with bells on, looking forward to it mate!

[aussietomcatter]

Shot with 180GR Remington, with the sights set at 300 yards. Shot quite high, but after adjusting my aim, bang on!

F**K they are a lovely rifle!

[aussietomcatter]

Got her in my hands yesterday:












Some more pictures:

[Peter Laidler]

There is something quite ferocious looking about a No1 rifle with a bayonet isn't there.............?

[Brian Dick]

I have a 1916 just like it. Almost identical in fact and also stocked in Queensland maple. The barrel, (dated 1918), and bolt head were replaced on mine post WW1 but that appears to be all that was changed. I have to agree with Peter. They are definitely built for business. You don't need to get too close with the good old P'07 bayonet fitted either!

[Homer]

Its a good rifle mate. These WW1 vintage lithgows in matching condition are getting very hard to find.

[Peter Laidler]

About a year or so, Graham Priest (Author of the definitive spike bayonet book) wanted some photos of current bayonet fighting skills and tactics so we invited him to the School of Infantry and to an afternoon class with the Infantry instructors. We also took a No1, a No4 and an L1A1 with bayonets. The class and the instructors all had a go with them and while they were really in awe of the reach and ferocity of the old rifles, ESPECIALLY the ferocious looking No1, the drills were pretty much as they always were. After all, you can only stab a man .........anyway.......... But at the end of the afternoon, the class/instructors concensus was that the little SA80 and bayonet was the preferred choice. Strange isn't it?

On another point - if you'll excuse the pun....., the bayonet is the badge of the Infantry - as you'll see from my avatar/logo. Prior to making that 1.5:1 replica of the SA80 bayonet for the HQ Infantry foyer, I made a similar large size No1 bayonet and a No5/L1A1 bayonet and asked the top brass which they wanted on the sign. To a man, they all wanted the SA80 bayonet on the grounds that it looked a more ferocious 'weapon' than the others......... OInce again, strange isn't it?