Value of Lithgow L1A1 skeleton

[Rusty.303]

I have just returned from a friends house where I was offered a Lithgow L1A1 skeleton [corect term?]. The rifle and all accessories are mint and still sealed in plastic wrap and what I presume to be the original foam box. This rifle is exactly the same as the one on display at the Lithgow Small Arms Museum, see Milsurps - Lithgow SAF Museum Tour.
If anyone has any information to provide regarding value, rarity etc it would be appreciated.

Thanks

Information

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[nzl1a1collector]

Is it a Bi-Centenary L1A1 with Blond wood?

[nzl1a1collector]

I managed to find the thread you mentioned, I take it your referring to the rifle that's been attached to the mechanical display board. The Sectionalised Special Rifle (SR) looks to be one of the military ones (Although it has a New Zealand carrying handle on it). Recently (May 2007) at an Australian auction a Sectionalised Bi-Centenary L1A1 sold for AUD $5000 (there are only 34 of them) so I would say a normal Sectionalised L1A1 rifle in new condition with all its bits must be worth the same?

[Rusty.303]

G'Day and thanks for the help nzl1a1collector.

I was not aware that there was a Sectionalised Bi-Centenary L1A1.
I have just done a quick search for "Sectionalised Bi-Centenary L1A1" showing pictures of one to be auctioned by NZ Antique & Historical Arms Assoc in July 2011 [Lot 1250].
I have noted that the serial no of the rifle to be auctioned was SR88400004.
Just a stab in the dark but could "SR" at the front of the serial mean "Sectionalised Rifle" and following that could "88" indicate the year of bicentenary 1988.
Please not this is only a theory and not based on any known fact, however it would not be an unusual way to start a serial no for a bicentennial/commemorative.
Do you think this could be a way of separating a normal Sectionalised Rifle and a Sectionalised Bi-Centenary.
As soon as I get a chance I will get the serial no to compare both.

Yes you were correct the wood is blond and yes the rifle I described at the LSA Museum was attached to the mechanical display board.

Thanks

[nzl1a1collector]

'SR' is suppose to mean 'Special Rifle'.
'88' is the year of assembly 1988.
'00004' is the rifle number.

The rifle is marked on the right hand side:
Australia'S BI-CENTENNIAL 1788-1988
S.A.F. LITHGOW LI.AI. PRODUCTION 1958-1988.

These rifles were produced in 1988 to commemorate Australia's Bi-Centenary and Lithgow's 30th year of L1A1 production. Only 34 rifles were assembled for sale to the general public.

The original Sectionalised Rifles made for military sales numbered from SR1 through to in excess of SR525.

If you can get the serial number of the rifle it will confirm which type of rifle it is. Military or Bi-Centenary, but if it has blond furniture then its more likely a Bi-Centenary rifle.

[nzl1a1collector]

Here's a couple of pics of the above rifle

[Rusty.303]

BINGO that's it, minus the plastic wrap.

Thanks again.

[Peter Laidler]

Any reason for the standard AD type serial numbers on the body and trigger mech housing plus the SR number?
Any reason why the AD serial numbers on the body and TMH differ? One starts AD63 and the other starts AD68

[nzl1a1collector]

Any reason for the standard AD type serial numbers on the body and trigger mech housing plus the SR number?
Any reason why the AD serial numbers on the body and TMH differ? One starts AD63 and the other starts AD68

Well spotted Peter............ I was freeking out a little bit at the auction when I first examined the rifle and wondered the very same thing. I managed to get a photo of the rifle at the Lithgow Museum (SR8800028) and it too has a reused Body as you can make out AD 71 FTR XXXXX to the left of the ejection port. What a huge relief to me!

I think Lithgow assembled these 34 Special Rifles on the cheap using any 'spare rifles' floating around the factory at the time.

[tankhunter]

I think Lithgow assembled these 34 Special Rifles on the cheap using any 'spare rifles' floating around the factory at the time.

OR, assembled from left over spare parts from stripped Unserviceable Rifles. This would explain the mismatch of the TMH & Reciever Serial Numbers.
Makes sense to me, Why modify a complete matched ser,no Rifle if it's servicable & a shooter ready to be returned to a unit?
Much better to complete the project with bits & bobs if it's NEVER going to fire again.
DP's were moded similarly, but usually from worn & out of limit weapons. Perfectly adequete for the task in Dry Training.