Lithgow HT Sniper Bayonet

[martins8589]

Hello all, I read somewhere some time ago I am sure it was in one of Skennerton's books which bayonet the Lithgow HT Sniper rifle was issued with.
I cannot remember if it was the Owen Bayonet or the Machete Bayonet?
I am looking for a reference to which book, page and paragraph it is in if anyone knows.
Many thanks, Martin.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

I too have found reference to the OWEN bayonet but can't find it in three of his books to prove it.

[Flying10uk]

but can't find it in three of his books to prove it.

Are you able to tell us which of his books you looked in, please, Jim?

[muz303]

I've had this discussion with a collector a number of years ago and kept a copy of the link from Ian's website:

New records discovered at the S.A.F. Lithgow Museum...
The Australian machete bayonet was originally intended for the new No.1 Mk III* H.T. sniper rifle! Probably as a tool rather than to bayonet charging Japs with a sniper rifle.
Notes on conversation with Lieut. Pyke, 24th Nov. 1943...
Regarding the inquiry for 3,000 short heavy barrels for sniper rifle conversion. A firm in Melbourne is making the mount to hold the telescope, Lithgow will assemble them to the rifle. The M.G.O. is having Machetes made for use with these rifles, they require pommel and crosspiece fittings assembled to them similar to the operations on our present bayonet. To see if this work can be performed by us, they are forwarding a sample Blade very shortly. We are to then see whether we can assemble the Pommel and modified Crosspiece and finish machine similar to the Bayonet. We will need to supply wooden grips, screws and nuts for securing same to Machete'.

Early machete bayonets were profiled on Bren equipment at Lithgow; bayonet production was at Orange by this stage. The run of Machete bayonets, approved in April 1944 for Airborne troops and re-designated Bayonet 'Parachutist' in 1946, was probably at Orange. Many were destroyed although some sold surplus in the 1960's. A.I.A. had produced a new model as well.

http://www.enfieldcollector.com/archive.html

Hope this helps.

[martins8589]

I've had this discussion with a collector a number of years ago and kept a copy of the link from Ian's website:

New records discovered at the S.A.F. Lithgow Museum...
The Australian machete bayonet was originally intended for the new No.1 Mk III* H.T. sniper rifle! Probably as a tool rather than to bayonet charging Japs with a sniper rifle.
Notes on conversation with Lieut. Pyke, 24th Nov. 1943...
Regarding the inquiry for 3,000 short heavy barrels for sniper rifle conversion. A firm in Melbourne is making the mount to hold the telescope, Lithgow will assemble them to the rifle. The M.G.O. is having Machetes made for use with these rifles, they require pommel and crosspiece fittings assembled to them similar to the operations on our present bayonet. To see if this work can be performed by us, they are forwarding a sample Blade very shortly. We are to then see whether we can assemble the Pommel and modified Crosspiece and finish machine similar to the Bayonet. We will need to supply wooden grips, screws and nuts for securing same to Machete'.

Early machete bayonets were profiled on Bren equipment at Lithgow; bayonet production was at Orange by this stage. The run of Machete bayonets, approved in April 1944 for Airborne troops and re-designated Bayonet 'Parachutist' in 1946, was probably at Orange. Many were destroyed although some sold surplus in the 1960's. A.I.A. had produced a new model as well.

http://www.enfieldcollector.com/archive.html

Hope this helps.

Awesome Muz, thankyou.

[Melanie_Daniels]

I knew that I somewhere saw a photo of a Sinper with bayonet - and now I found it again:

[CINDERS]

OZ GUN SALES - Online Firearms Classifieds - Lithgow HT Sniper.1 Out Of 100 FTR’d In the 1950’s

[martins8589]

I had seen this add but that was not where I read it.
Thanks anyway.

[browningautorifle]

I saw that one but it doesn't give us the detailed info he seeks. Nice looking rig though...for sure.

[Melanie_Daniels]

In the 50th only the "Owen"-bayonets were made in Lithgow - also for the SMLE.