[Markymark]

Hi Folks,

I thought it might be useful to run a 'count down' on Lithgows by receiver year and outline some of the features peculiar to various years of production, as a reference. 1953 is a good place to start and between me and anyone else (maybe someone whose name rhymes with Bemo) who would like to show off their treasures, 1945 could be the next installment as a new post.

Should be a good opportunity to look at / discuss some of the features that Skennerton does not cover, so here goes, including some photos, with my '53.

According to Tony Griffith's book, a batch of one thousand 1953-dated Lithgows were manufactured between January and March 1956. There is conjecture about the rationale for this late production run. The common reason given was to prove machinery still functioned, as required. This may be true, but given that the metal parts were manufactured in 1953 and assembly not taking place until 1956 this reason seems to lack a bit of credibility. Others may have insights on this. Given the efforts by the Lithgow factory at this time to generate sustainable income pending production of the 7.62 FN / L1A1, my theory is that the factory may have been interested in selling more new guns to exisiting, or new, markets in South East Asia and did a production run to show that they were prepared for this.

Some of distinguishing features of these rifles that appear to be consistent include:

- serial numbers only on action, bolt, barrel and nosecap.
- serial number range from F39581 - F40580
- rear sight and forend are unnumbered
- virtually all metal parts appear to have been manufactured in 1953 and are stamped MA53
- no stampings on the sides of the butt.
- 50's dated woodwork, (up to SLAZ56 on mine).
- butt plate does not have exposed axis pin holes.
- forend and associated woodwork seems a little 'fatter' than earlier examples, but has a shallower profile towards the rear of the action.

I would welcome comment and any photos others may have of their examples.

Cheers,


Mark

 

[Son]

at least one of the metal parts was made in 1954.....

the assembly line was an exercise for the tradesmen, like the unnecessary FTR of 100 HT's in the early fifties.

remember, they were also doing FTR's all the way through from the end of WW2 to 1957 (IIRC) and still hold the parts to do them now.

 

[milprileb]

Son,

Do I understand that even today, Lithgow has the parts to do FTR of No.1Mark III* rifles and if that is the case,
then I assume there is a stockage of these rifles remaining in stores for contingency purposes ..or some mission ?

 

[Son]

As I understand from a mate who saw a pile of parts there and asked the question... they can refurb rifles that are still inside the system for display or presentation purposes. There is no chance, and never will be a chance, of getting any of the bits.... or any rifles that may be around.... sad but true.

 

[milprileb]

Thank you , that kind of makes sense now. I was thinking there might be some regional agreements with
island nations for support of existing stocks of their Lithgows still in use (if they are any still in use ..someplace).

 

[limpetmine]

Here's mine. Found in a barn in Tennessee.

Bolt looks to be a miss match.

Everything else pretty much down the road.....

Looks to be #73 of this production run from the serial range posted above. As my hang tag on the

rifle says, "First of the Last"

 

[limpetmine]

more

 

[limpetmine]

and more

 

[milprileb]

Just my take on your fine rifle, for my satisfaction, I would consider that bolt to be right as rain for a late Lithgow.
My guess is they fitted the bolt , ground serial number off and out it went just like that. I would consider it matching
for such a late made rifle. I could sleep well owning it and thinking it righteous.

 

[limpetmine]

Well that's good to hear. I had wondered about that bolt and the why and how it could've been seperated. Perhaps it never was.

 

[DEMO]

Just my take on your fine rifle, for my satisfaction, I would consider that bolt to be right as rain for a late Lithgow.
My guess is they fitted the bolt , ground serial number off and out it went just like that. I would consider it matching
for such a late made rifle. I could sleep well owning it and thinking it righteous.

Lovely rifle limpetmine but the bolt is surely a replacement. Rifles left the factory with matching bolts.

 

[milprileb]

Demo, is that a hard fast rule on a late rifle ?

 

[DEMO]

Yes Milprileb I would think so.

 

[4thGordons]

Here is mine: (I'll take some better pics soon with the new lighing setup)

 

[Markymark]

Here is mine: (I'll take some better pics soon with the new lighing setup)
View attachment 514709 View attachment 514708 View attachment 514707 View attachment 514712 View attachment 514711 View attachment 514710 View attachment 514706

Very nice gun and great photos.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[DEMO]

Nice thread Mark. Interesting of all the 1953's I've seen, apart from the one on display in the small arms museum, I'm yet to see a really minty one. You'd think that of all the lithgows, the 1953 rifle's being built at the end of the SMLE era, there would be more preserved in near new condition, similarly to some of the 50's FTR'd rifles around. I've seen two others with large numbers stamped on the underside of the forend like 4thgordons and yellow paint on the nosecap. I wonder if the whole batch was distributed to cadet units where they got beat up.

 

[Bindi2]

Mine is pretty beat up from parade ground use but no paint bands.

 

[Mike1967]

Nice thread Mark. Interesting of all the 1953's I've seen, apart from the one on display in the small arms museum, I'm yet to see a really minty one. You'd think that of all the lithgows, the 1953 rifle's being built at the end of the SMLE era, there would be more preserved in near new condition, similarly to some of the 50's FTR'd rifles around. I've seen two others with large numbers stamped on the underside of the forend like 4thgordons and yellow paint on the nosecap. I wonder if the whole batch was distributed to cadet units where they got beat up.

DEMO, I have seen 2 mint 1953s, foolishly at the time i was not interested in ANOTHER Lithgow, both are here in Sydney. I know the whereabouts of one of them, i'll put it on the to do list to see if i can get a few snaps of it.

 

[Lithy]

When are you ging to buy a camera Bindi?

 

[muffett.2008]

When are you ging to buy a camera Bindi?

Settle down a bit, what state is he in? the technical knowledge required to operate those new fangled things is beyond them, just ask Ned.