The lithgow small arms factory commenced production in 1912. The rifles have been designed and developed in australia to be competitively priced and offer modern tactical styling, high accuracy and reliability, according to lithgow arms. The decline of australian gun industry had however started long before that, with the lithgow small arms factory in new south wales stopping the manufacture of civiliangrade small arms some forty years prior to focus on militarygrade arms and equipment. My sincere thanks to custodian donna white for photographs and information used in this piece.
Lithgow arms is a brand built on 100 years of weapons expertise at the small arms factory at lithgow, nsw. Todays rifle is the somewhat rare lithgow smle no1 mk3 ht heavy telescopic snipers rifle assembled at lithgow small arms factory saf in the closing stages of ww2. Hassans wall lithgow 2020 all you need to know before. Since 1912, the lithgow small arms factory now known as lithgow arms has proudly supported australias soldiers on battlefields around the world, he said. Lithgow small arms factory museum 69 methven street, lithgow, new south wales 2790 rated 4. This museum, situated on the grounds of the small arms factory, celebrates the rich history of australias first high precision mass production facility and its people.
The countrys current martial arm is the f90, a selectivefire assault rifle in 5. The prime reference is list of changes in british war material, the monthly issues reprinted in 5 vols. Lithgow small arms factory in 1907 which rifle to adopt costs models problems etc. The lithgow small arms factory, or lithgow arms, is an australian small arms manufacturing factory located in the town of lithgow, new south wales. The trip back in time will go ahead as part of the national trusts heritage festival and lithglow 2018, with a highlight being special projections and light displays once the sun starts.
For students and researchers, a library, factory records, photographs and such facilities are being established for visitor access. Lithgow small arms factory museum is conducting a survey of models 1, 1a and 1b lithgowslazenger. Lithgow small arms factory museum showcasing australias industrial history in technical and human terms. Visit lithgow small arms factory museum on your trip to. Heavy refers to the barrel profile, essentially a shorterned version of the old magazine lee enfield but reduced to 25. At lithgow arms were proud of our heritage and people. In order to compete hoskins joined australian iron and steel and relocated to port kembla in 1928. It was the first modern manufacturing plant in australia. These plates will be attached with small brass wood screws.
Lithgow streets named for military weapons made at the site include bayonet street, enfield and ordnance avenue. The history of the lithgow small arms factory is about people their aspirations, achievements and disappointments, the economic and social hardships endured, the influence of our british heritage on australia in the early 1900s, and sheer human stubborness. At lithgow arms were proud of our heritage and our people. Restaurants near lithgow small arms factory museum. Lithgow small arms factory a history in photographs published by lithgow saf museum a4 booklet, soft cover, 64 pages themes include early production sections and employees, women workers, commercial manufacture, industrial matters, the feeder factories, modernisation, and the connections between the factory and the community. W wikipedia citation please see wikipedias template documentation for further citation fields that may be required. I am a happy owner of the lithgow 1907 bayonet the bayonet was designed at the lithgow small arms factory in australia starting around 19, just prior to wwi. Since 1912, the lithgow small arms factory now known as lithgow arms has proudly supported australias soldiers on battlefields around the world, said thales australia ceo chris jenkins. For the workers, the lithgow small arms factory was a rough place to earn a crust. A lewis machine gun detachment was assigned for the close defence of the lithgow small arms factory with the machine gun installed on the factory roof. Lithgow small arms factory is ready to shine a light on how things used to be, with special guided tours across the mothers day weekend of may 12 and. Comprehensivley researched, volume 1 covers the years 1907 to 1950. View all restaurants near lithgow small arms factory museum on tripadvisor.
Opened on 8 june 1912, the factory initially manufactured smle iii rifles and pattern 1907 bayonets. Aussiestyle accuracy with the lithgow la102 gun digest. The lithgow small arms factory museum has an excellent website with an overview of the site. A comprehensive history of lithgows small arms factory. Book description toptech engineering, sydney, 2006. After a relatively short drive on an unsealed road out of lithgow, what an amazing view. Director of soldier weapons systems, graham evenden, said that thales is investing significantly in its manufacturing capability and skills development to develop the world leading. How the lithgow gun factory supported a waraffected.
Lithgow arms has partnered with hart clothing to provide australian hunters and outdoor enthusiasts with a line of clothing that is stylish as well as fit for purpose. Lithgow small arms factory museum, lithgow, new south wales. The museum presents a visual journey into the social and engineering history of this renowned facility. Lithgow small arms factory museum a factory history a people profile to all owners of lithgowslazenger model 1, 1a or 1b. Lithgow small arms factory museum in the spotlight. Australia is back in the gunmaking game as lithgow arms launches a range of boltaction hunting rifles in. Lithgow small arms factory museum 2020 all you need to. Over the years, lithgow saf collected military rifles and. From gallipoli to afghanistan, australian defense forces have carried lithgow small arms into battle. In 1912, the government built the small arms factory in lithgow to produce weapons and small arms. Not only is the lithgow small arms factory an amazing piece of history itself, but its influence on the town of lithgow is fascinating.
Lithgow small arms factory archive australian memory of the world. Over the years, lithgow saf collected a library of military rifles and machine guns from around the world. For over 100 years the men and women of lithgow have supported the factory, the production of small arms, and the australian defence force at home and abroad. We are currently researching lithgow and slazenger single shot models for an upcoming book, and are seeking information from owners of. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. The famous lithgow small arms factory opened in 1912. We had a bit of a wait but by the time you read this the lithgow arms la105 woomera should be well and truly on the shelves at your local tfb takes the lithgow arms factory tour. If you or your family have stories and memories of the small arms factory, the museum would be delighted to hear from you. Situated in methvern street, lithgow at the front of the old factory site. The twovolume book set, lithgows small arms factory and its people by tony griffiths gives an in depth history of the factory and its production.
In skennertons lee enfield book there is a photo of 2 of them, one of which has a rear peep sight. Cover has no visible wear, and the dust jacket if applicable is. The gun emplacements were commenced on 22 december 1941 and were operational on scenic hill from 2 january 1942, and at bowenfels shortly after. Sports rifles handed in to the small arms factory museum will help finish a book. The factory was the first modern manufacturing facility in australia. The lithgow 1907 bayonet would become australias staple weapon along with its counter part, the enfield no1 mark iii rifle. Also included is information from tony griffiths book, lithgow small arms factory and its people. Lithgow small arms museum a factory history a people profile. The lithgow small arms factory museums extensive and significant archival. Daily tours of the small arms factory are conducted at 10am each day. The small arms factory was opened in lithgow, new south wales, in june 1912 and by 19.
Lithgow is the last major town before the world famous jenolan caves, which are approximately 35 kms away. Lithgow small arms factory museum 2020 all you need to know. Also, legitimate factory rifles will have 14inch square brass or copper recoil plates installed on the foreends where the sear boss bears against the wood. Hart sportswear collection is designed in europe and offers maximum, comfort, protection and durability.
Lithgow small arms factory museum enfield collector. If you find a new lithgow with a 1943 or 1944 date, be highly suspicious. On a recent pilgrimage to the lithgow small arms factory, i noticed this on the wall. Lithgow trip planner plan your lithgow vacation itinerary. Thales australia is seeking to build on this distinguished heritage to create the sovereign industrial capability precinct in lithgow. Thales australia unveils the future of lithgow arms.
Thales unveils new investment in lithgow thales group. Lithgow arms employs over full time personnel across all trades and backgrounds and everyone takes enormous pride in producing quality work. Lithgow arms employs over full time personnel across all trades and backgrounds and everyone takes enormous pride in. Weapons training memorandum with many new books available, serious collectors need source material. Given how little recoil a martini cadet has, this one would have been barely noticeable. The twovolume book set, lithgow s small arms factory and its people by tony griffiths gives an in depth history of the factory and its production.
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