[Aussie Anthony]

What’s with the hidden message in the second photo??

 

[Aussie Anthony]

How much are they worth as new compared to the vales of the war used lithgows?

That’s very difficult to answer. Some people would pay top dollars for a rifle that’s totally worn out, but has a military history and a collector value. Others want a shooter which is in as new condition and care little for serial numbers and originality. I have a few “shooters” in my safe, not overly valuable, the rest are for visual enjoyment and an investment.

 

[Aussie Anthony]

No, I won't mention the first word but the last two say "Joe" and "Biden".

Biden stuck out immediately, the rest sort of fell into place.

 

[Aussie Anthony]

I definatly wanted a new condition rifle. I don't think I'd get that with a war issued one. It was listed however as a Lithgow made rifle.

The parts are all made at Lithgow, that’s a start. It’s just the location of assembly that is up for debate? Is there a JJCo stamp anywhere on the rifle.?

 

[Aussie Anthony]

Nothing like that on the exposed metal. Would it be under the wood by any chance?

Can’t say for sure, but I’d assume it would be visible.

 

[Aussie Anthony]

Check here, very hard to see.

 

[Aussie Anthony]

Unclear, but looks like a J and NY.

 

[Aussie Anthony]

Some were complete rifles.

Indeed, some of the best rifles in Australia are JJco marked, stamped but luckily never left home.

1940 Lithgow MkIII

A nice original example, a jjco rifle that luckily never left Australia.

www.gunboards.com

 

[Aussie Anthony]

Perfect, thanks.
Yours has the strake (punch) mark to "lock the screw"
But not the witness mark (line) to show where to lock it for consistent torque.

Not many do have a line there, centre punch yes. Line no.

 

[Aussie Anthony]

We simply can' have you being Happy . That won't do Plonker. Sell the rifle to me and gain salvation. LOL. It sounds like your rifle is same thing mine is but I think you have recoil pads and mine doesn't. Thus you can shoot it and I can't shoot mine. I knew that lack of recoil pad scenario when I bought mine so I've turned the page and don't dwell on it. I bought a fantasy rifle.

Plenty of Lithgow rifles get used without plates, the factory sent out about 150000 of them.

 

[Aussie Anthony]

Anthony...mine didn't get them and the reason is its a bitzer as I articulated in detail above. I think you missed that post.

I was more responding to your comment saying that you can’t shoot it.

 

[Aussie Anthony]

Anthony, I distinctly remember years ago on this very board caution to not shoot if the recoil pads were missing and talk of fore end splitting. In fact talk of safety issues to the shooter. Now if this is internet myth and no damage to my rifle nor me is pending , I'll shoot my rifle. My reluctance here is based on "fact" presented on this board concerning lack of pads and damage that follows.

Anyone know the bottom line here ???

Milprileb, I do recall discussion about that. I thought the “safety issues to the shooter” idea was shut down? I‘m no expert, but my understanding was that the plates were there to simply increase the life of the draws. They are still subjected to the same forces, with or without plates, just the pressure bearing surface is enlarged once fitted and therefore increasing the life. The same rule would apply with your rifle not having them, if the fit up is tight to the lugs on the action, the screws tight, the forend can’t go anywhere. Over time however, that timber will compress and then the problems may start. Unsafe to fire, I don’t think so. Having said all that, if I had a mint, untouched Lithgow with no plates, I probably wouldn’t use it. Yours being a rifle that’s most likely put together from parts, with an un-numbered forend, I’d have a go. Maybe find a second hand Lithgow forend with plates, take some time to fit it up to your rifle and put the original in the cupboard. My thoughts, 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

 

[Aussie Anthony]

Here's a pic of my 1943 Lithgow without recoil plates. It was FTR'd at Lithgow in 1955 and still didn't have plates fitted.
You can see how the timber has compressed slightly (perhaps 0.5mm). If it gets any worse I may be tempted to glue some small shims in there.

View attachment 3976602

Is there a date on the forend?

 

[Aussie Anthony]

Dated 1943

View attachment 3976615

Beautiful clear stamps. Obviously it’s marked FTR.

 

[Aussie Anthony]

I have one very similar, but forend is not numbered, which I thought was the norm for that time in the FTR process.