Lithgow Rifles Survey

[muffett.2008]

There are a few S/N's that have been given that have not been uploaded onto the spreadsheets.
These are usually ones that I have asked for clarification on and are usually just missing the letter prefix or are in a range that does not match the year .
If you have one of these questionables, please get back to me with the info.
Thanks,
Kev.

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.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

1944 with 5/44 dated barrel. S/N E98966. No recoil blocks installed and traces of yellow paint up front.

[jmoore]

Seen at a shop yesterday:


1940 B41605: 1 '41 barrel, matching #: MA no windage having rear sight, matching #, but '40 dated: mismatched and ill fit Ishapore bolt assy.: 1941 butt appeared matching with no buttplate, but fore stock Bubba'ed, so no top wood or nosecap.

[sean6.555]

Lithgow(MA) 41 action 43 acceptance with 4-43 barrel
all matching No. D50702
->S<- marked
not FTR,
R on knox flat
I will try to get one of its brothers info this weekend.

[muffett.2008]

Latest update. Notice a few patterns emerging. Blue are the FTR years, Green are correct date of assembly, Yellow are Anomalies, barrels changed out of service, White are rebarreled in service(barrel date should match butt date if butt is original), Year only(e.g '53) are Club Armourer replacement barrels.
Attachment 62617


This overall chart gives an indication of totals made per year block, approx. S/N change and shows a rarity pattern for the interwar years. Red are Questionable.....incorrect S/N range for year. Orange are Anomalies, showing up in duel years......subject to clarification.
Attachment 62619
Attachment 62620
Attachment 62621
Attachment 62618

[Son]

Hey Muffer,I have just been told about a 29 dated receiver with a 39 barrel.... here is his description.... Is it possible?

I just bought a Lithgow all matching, everything is MA 39 or some stock parts are 1940, in Queensland Maple and Coachwood.... all flipping matching all Australian. The Barrel date is 12-39 and the blue on the main parts of the rifle is near 95% (not a reblue I have been collecting for many years now and the stampings are fresh and not rounded, correct and real blue........the bore is smokey but strong lands and groves (probable some neglect after it got to the US... lots of folks over here are clueless about corrosive priming. any way here is the kicker that has me lost. The receiver date is 1929! not 1939! When lithgow was gearing up for WWII did they use old receivers. The bolt matchec and the bolt head is dated MA39.... what is going on? Thanks for any replys.

[muffett.2008]

Brad, Demo would say yes, but I would have reservations.
It would depend on the barrel versus receiver stamps, a ,29 barrel will have view marks and inspection stamps to IX,
Attachment 63590 whereas a '39 would be up to VI.
The proof marks for this timeframe should be crown/GR over L, Attachment 63592
whereas from 1940 on it was crown over L,Attachment 63591
MA stamps would also appear on the later date, but not nescessarily be present on a '29 barrel if made pre '25........remembering that barrels were not dated until fitted, and S/N added, one or more out inspection stamps may be visable, if an early barrel, this would be crown/ 1 or 2/L arrow/Attachment 63594
if a later barrel it may not have the crown and may range from 1 to 4,Attachment 63593
other stampings may also place the actual timeframe, but without seeing these markings, it is impossible to say yea or nay.
The repair program for 38/39 show 2500 rifles upgraded and 39/40 another 500.
So yes it is quite feasible.

[Aussie48]

Another to add to your list:

1940 Lithgow No 1 MK 3 no star has magazine cutout slot but no cutout plate all matching barrel, bolt and receiver, S/N B47007

[Son]

I pilfered the pics he posted of the 29 Lithgow. The barrel is view stamped to IX, and has Crown over 3 over L on it. Both barrel and receiver have crown over GL over L proofs.
The owner says the foreend is marked Slaz, so that isn't original... interested on your take, mate... here's the pics.

Attachment 63600Attachment 63599Attachment 63598Attachment 63597

[muffett.2008]

Looks nice Brad, I would love to see the other side of the barrel, if it has the same S/N and steel batch stamp, and how many stars on the barrel in front of the nocks?
I am inclined to think it was a rebarrel job in '39, War was declared in September and there would have been a big rush to get every firearm up to a serviceable standard.

Just noticed the year stamp on the receiver, it is misaligned, maybe a spare one? usually the factory stamping is very straight.

Aussie48, what month and year on your barrel?