Lithgow L1A1

[Peter Laidler]

At the time of peak production, Australia had a big Army comparatively speaking, with 10 full-strength Infantry battalions AND support arms AND with 2+ battalions fighting in Vietnam AND a full battalion permanently in Malaya.

I don't know for sure but I don't think Britain sold many L1A1 rifles - they were just tooooo expensive! We tried to sell virtually new but certainly FTR'd L1A1's to the newly formed Lebanese Army in the late 80's but that failed even for a give-away price. although we did ''gift' zillions to the Sierra Leone Army - but enough said about them....... I think that they started to 'gift' rifles eventually but not until the 70's. I only have the saga piecemeal from the people I know and worked with. One of my bosses, WO1 Clive Connors had the full insight into the episode. Australia had to make a living and exports were valuable currencyespecially when the African Countries were paying in the £Sterling they'd received as foreign aid.

Another person who was well aware of the story was one of the members of the steering committee who was involved with the interchangeability of parts called Capt Steve Sxxxxxx from the SASC. He often used comment that Lithgow were always well ahead of the game, once they'd got the new machinery.

I'm sure that I have asked this before, but did Canada sell LB made L1A1's abroad? Gift them to foreign nations?

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.

[enbloc8]

From what I understand, the Canadian government had a standing policy against any foreign weapon sales. So no, there were no Long Branch-made C1s/C2s sold outside of Canada. I'm told that they did try to sell parts to other nations that had L1A1s, but they were turned down as too expensive and too "oddball" in many cases compared to standard production.

Because of this, Long Branch Arsenal eventually lost its relevance once the Canadian Forces were fully equipped by the mid-60s, and was finally shut down in 1976. And because Canada dropped all their C1s and C2s in the shredder in the 90s (including 50,000 Colt Canada-rebuilt C1A1s in war reserve), all that remained were a comparative handful in civilian and police hands, and whatever parts were sold off as surplus. Needless to say, assembling a C1 or C2 of any sort in the States is a daunting task!

[David TS]

At the time of peak production, Australia had a big Army comparatively speaking, with 10 full-strength Infantry battalions AND support arms AND with 2+ battalions fighting in Vietnam AND a full battalion permanently in Malaya.

I don't know for sure but I don't think Britain sold many L1A1 rifles - they were just tooooo expensive! We tried to sell virtually new but certainly FTR'd L1A1's to the newly formed Lebanese Army in the late 80's but that failed even for a give-away price. although we did ''gift' zillions to the Sierra Leone Army - but enough said about them....... I think that they started to 'gift' rifles eventually but not until the 70's. I only have the saga piecemeal from the people I know and worked with. One of my bosses, WO1 Clive Connors had the full insight into the episode. Australia had to make a living and exports were valuable currencyespecially when the African Countries were paying in the £Sterling they'd received as foreign aid.

Another person who was well aware of the story was one of the members of the steering committee who was involved with the interchangeability of parts called Capt Steve Sxxxxxx from the SASC. He often used comment that Lithgow were always well ahead of the game, once they'd got the new machinery.

I'm sure that I have asked this before, but did Canada sell LB made L1A1's abroad? Gift them to foreign nations?

The West Side Boys - hmmm.

Operation Barras was at least payback though.

[Peter Laidler]

I asked about Canadian LB L1A1 sales because I never saw one in private hands. We had them at the big Base Workshop at Wetter in Germany and some of them might have 'gone around the block' due to our 'pooled' Ordnance stockpiles but even then, I only ever saw one LB L1A1 in British Service although Lithgow AD's were quite common. There's another LB L1A1 at Warminster

[enbloc8]

I asked about Canadian LB L1A1 sales because I never saw one in private hands. We had them at the big Base Workshop at Wetter in Germany and some of them might have 'gone around the block' due to our 'pooled' Ordnance stockpiles but even then, I only ever saw one LB L1A1 in British Service although Lithgow AD's were quite common. There's another LB L1A1 at Warminster

Did the LB rifle you saw in service still have the Canadian disc sight?

I've heard it said that one of the big arms vendors in Canada is sitting on over a thousand C1A1s that it can't sell. Supposedly they're ex Ontario Provincial Police rifles that were initially sold to a British dealer, then when the laws changed the lot was purchased by the Canadian vendor, who brought them back to Canada...just in time for THEIR laws to change too!

[browningautorifle]

I'm told that they did try to sell parts to other nations that had L1A1s, but they were turned down as too expensive and too "oddball" in many cases compared to standard production

Canadian parts were exactly the same as Aussie and UK parts. No oddball here.

I've heard it said that one of the big arms vendors in Canada is sitting on over a thousand C1A1s that it can't sell

I seriously doubt that statement. By now they would have been broken down for parts kits and sold that way. Our laws aren't going to get easier any time soon in that area. Those that have them can't even take them out to shoot. No one would sit on immovable rifles.

[enbloc8]

I seriously doubt that statement. By now they would have been broken down for parts kits and sold that way. Our laws aren't going to get easier any time soon in that area. Those that have them can't even take them out to shoot. No one would sit on immovable rifles.

I'll admit it sounded puzzling to me too...C1A1 parts kits (or even individual parts) would find a ready and eager market in the States. About the only reason I could think of for sitting on immovable rifles is not wanting to take the loss on the books.

[Peter Laidler]

Both the backsights on the LB rifles I saw were/are the bog standard UK spec leaf backsights.....

There's a thing BAR........ Backsights and top covers spring to mind. Both well used consumables that differ and if you need them you don't buy Canadian production OR UK for that matter as they were too expensive anyway

[mrclark303]

It's good to see modified Lithgow build L1's being used by NZ special forces in Afganistan.....got to give it to them...they get value for money out of their arms purchases!!!

Unconfirmed via my fiend.....He heard they came from the handful of reserve L1's kept by the NZ Navy for use as "line thrower" rifles.

Apparently when a Semi 7.62x51mm rifle was required for SF use....."they" raided the stores...... liberated a small number, tricked them out with US commercially available Picatinny quad railed forends and railed dust covers, then fitted a silencer.

The result was......so I am told, highly satasfactory......I hear (rumour) it was very well received because "gas off " single shot mode...it could be reach out and give someone the good news in a very quiet fashion!

Love to see some pics of these rifles

[Nick S]

Apparently when a Semi 7.62x51mm rifle was required for SF use....."they" raided the stores...... liberated a small number, tricked them out with US commercially available Picatinny quad railed forends and railed dust covers, then fitted a silencer.

The result was......so I am told, highly satasfactory......I hear (rumour) it was very well received because "gas off " single shot mode...it could be reach out and give someone the good news in a very quiet fashion!

Love to see some pics of these rifles

Here you go... moderators made by MAE...