by Anthony Mitchell
The Lithgow Small Arms Factory
In the time between Federation and World War One, the newly-formed Commonwealth Government looked at the logistics of equipping the defence forces. It was felt that Australia could be isolated from her traditional suppliers in a time of conflict, so a decision was made to establish a factory to manufacture the Lee-Enfield .303 rifle, this being the service rifle throughout the British Empire at the time.
The Lithgow Small Arms Factory was established in 1912. The first Lee-Enfield rolled off the production line in 1912, the last one in 1956. Other useful items manufactured included bayonets, Bren Guns and Vickers Guns.
One of the problems with running a factory is matching output with demand, and arms factories are no exception. During the period between the two world wars, the factory produced a variety of commercial goods in addition to its core products. These included items such as sewing machines, shearing equipment and handcuffs.
When peace was declared in 1945, the factory had large stockpiles of materials on hand and a diminished need for its core products. Even though Lee-Enfield production would continue into the 1950’s, the day of the military bolt-action rifle was coming to an end. Production of the L1A1 SLR would commence in the late 1950’s. Manufacture of the Steyr assault rifle commenced in the 1980’s, and continues to this day.
The Post War Period
In the post war era, many wartime measures such as rationing continued for several years. Restrictions existed on many imported goods (including firearms). To cut a long story short, a partnership was formed between SAF Lithgow and Slazenger to produce firearms for the civilian market. The guns produced were a .410 shotgun and a .22 Hornet rifle (both based on a Lee-Enfield action), a .22 bolt-action repeater and a .22single shot. The single shot was the most numerous one made.
The Lithgow Single Shot
Manufacture of the single shot rifle ran from 1946 until the early 1960’s, with around 224,000 rifles made. The barrel was made of .303 grade barrel steel and is 610mm long. The stock is made of coachwood. (The same timber used for .303 stocks) No butt plate is fitted. A single knurled screw holds the barrel and stock together. Open sights are fitted. The front sight is a blade, the rear sight is a “v” notch adjustable for elevation, with each notch on the ramp equal to 25 yards. The sights are OK, but are a little on the fine side if the shooter is on the wrong side of 60. All up weight is 2.1Kg.
The bolt locking lug is on the root of the bolt handle in common .22 fashion. Once a cartridge has been chambered, the cocking piece has to be pulled back manually. The safety can only be engaged when the rifle is cocked. This is done by pulling back the cocking piece slightly and turning clockwise about ¼ turn.
This is definitely a “no frills” rifle, but they gained a reputation for being reliable, accurate and durable. They were made from military grade materials after all.
Field Stripping
Stripping the rifle down for cleaning is pretty straightforward. The trigger also acts as the bolt stop. To remove the bolt, pull the trigger with the bolt in the forward position and slide the bolt to the rear. Undo the knurled takedown screw and remove the barrel from the stock.
The photo below shows the three primary parts.
At the Range
My Lithgow is a Model 1A which left the factory in 1948, and has had two careful owners since then. I recently spent an afternoon at Belmont testing several different brands of ammunition. The rifle is exactly the same as when it left the factory. No sight adjustments were made during testing. 50 metre pistol targets were used. There was a breeze drifting the shots from left to right.
At 50 metres, using a rest, the following 5 shot groups were obtained:
Federal Classic
Standard Velocity 40grain solid
45mm Horizontally
42mm Vertically
Winchester Bushman
High Velocity 37.5 grain hollow point
22mm Horizontally
75mm Vertically
Winchester T22
Standard Velocity 40 grain solid
36mm Horizontally
61mm Vertically
These groups were the best obtained. I am not a bench rest shooter, nor is the Lithgow a bench rest rifle. Several other brands of ammunition were tested. Rimfires have a reputation for being fussy, and this one is no exception. The most expensive ammunition is not always the most accurate.
Summing Up
Well made from military spec. materials, the Lithgow single shot rifles are fun to shoot and are an interesting part of Australian firearms history.
Until next time, have a happy and safe shoot!
References:
The Lee-Enfield by Ian Skennerton