Lithgow collection |
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smerdon42
Senior Member Joined: February 20 2018 Location: Natick MA Status: Offline Points: 455 |
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Posted: May 20 2018 at 5:19am |
Hey all here is some pics of my lithgow collection thus far 1913 serial number 160this one is getting restored at the moment , 1914 serial is x5669 ( English rebuilt in ww1 hence the x prefix) no volley sights but served in both wars no FTR on both 1921 serial is A91256 all matches but has been converted to Jungle Carbine no USA marks but lots of British stamps please see included pictures England stamped on left side below the safety spring.
I have recently purchased another old war horse 1916 with volley sights cut of etc no dial on the volley sight plate. Which I will have to find to bring back to original. |
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terrylee
Senior Member Joined: December 30 2014 Location: South Africa Status: Offline Points: 741 |
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Some more Lithgows, T/B: Mk.III (1916) Mk.III (T) Mk.III* (1942) No.2 Mk.IV* Mk.III G/L (1941) Factory Conversion .22 Hornet |
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smerdon42
Senior Member Joined: February 20 2018 Location: Natick MA Status: Offline Points: 455 |
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Nice collection I am restoring the 13 right now with correct volley sights , mag cut off , I have a lightened unnumbered nose cap had new wood made in Canada for the forend and uppers , in the process of fitting them up now and away I go . Bought a 16 and picking it up Friday can’t wait . Being an Aussie expat love my Aussie rifles
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smerdon42
Senior Member Joined: February 20 2018 Location: Natick MA Status: Offline Points: 455 |
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Here is the latest addition to the collection a 1916 mk111 served both wars still has volley sight plate will need to source a mag cut off and rear peep sight.got to finish off the 1913 first before I touch this one but all matching receiver barrel & bolt .got a bayonet and 100 rounds as well .
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Homer
Senior Member Joined: January 01 2013 Location: Brisbane Status: Offline Points: 664 |
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For someone just starting out collecting lithgows, your certainly starting at the harder end in years, and going pretty well too.
You could restore this rifle back to how it was originally, but it’s orobably about right now. Volley sights, cutoff were removed as standard practice. Can you take a picture of the butt and barrel, rear sight. Also the nose cap is lightened, is it a match? If it’s not messed with already I’m inclined to leave them as they are. |
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smerdon42
Senior Member Joined: February 20 2018 Location: Natick MA Status: Offline Points: 455 |
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Homer the nose cap has no serial no’s on it at all other than a lithgow stamp the rear sight is windage adjustable but has been pinned has newer sight protector from OA . Not messed with to much but a good prospect to return to ridge didge.
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Homer
Senior Member Joined: January 01 2013 Location: Brisbane Status: Offline Points: 664 |
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That’s my point mate. It’s not messed with, it’s pretty much how it was when sold from service by the look of it from these photos. So anything you do to it now is just reversing its history. You could put volley sights and cut off on easily but they would contradict the butt and nosecap. Also the repair/stores dates on the forend and butt. The blackened finish, ground off dial plate, pinned windage sight and 7/44 date are classic service upgrades. With those could be any number of other changes, in this case butt and nosecap. It doesn’t have to be returned to its original state to be collectable and anyone who really appreciates and understands the processes of how these rifles evolved through the system will know it’s been messed with even though you think your restoring it. It’s collectable as it is and tells a story. Change it and the story is lost.
Of course it’s your rifle to do as you please, I only offer another point of view. |
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Homer
Senior Member Joined: January 01 2013 Location: Brisbane Status: Offline Points: 664 |
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Is it a 30’s dated barrel?
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smerdon42
Senior Member Joined: February 20 2018 Location: Natick MA Status: Offline Points: 455 |
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No original 1916 barrel no new dates stamped in there at all
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Homer
Senior Member Joined: January 01 2013 Location: Brisbane Status: Offline Points: 664 |
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Is the rear sight matching?
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smerdon42
Senior Member Joined: February 20 2018 Location: Natick MA Status: Offline Points: 455 |
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Yes. Both sight and base are serial numbered correctly
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Homer
Senior Member Joined: January 01 2013 Location: Brisbane Status: Offline Points: 664 |
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That’s interesting, good one. The T on the sight base indicates tapered cross pin that was done in the 30’s, probably when it was upgraded to Mk7. Good seeing them still matching after this. |
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smerdon42
Senior Member Joined: February 20 2018 Location: Natick MA Status: Offline Points: 455 |
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Homer i am planning on cleaning here up with a full break down and cleaning from head to toe , had to get a new extractor and screw it was missing those then headspace it with it fully functional it passed field no problem at all will have to look at bolt head size to see if i can bring it back closer to go/ nogo . But I have to finish up the Resto on my 1913 first i have fitted up the forestock with hardware IE volley sights , nose cap front band and all the extras . Will sand down the stock stain and clean it up oils it and back comes a piece of good old Aussie history. Another rifle my WW1 relatives shot at the enemy in the trenches of France and the deserts of the middle east
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