By Anthony Mitchell
would have handled some products manufactured at the Small Arms Factory located in Lithgow, NSW.
The factory was set up by the Commonwealth government to produce the then service rifle, the Lee-Enfield .303 (officially known as the Rifle, Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield, or SMLE). Using machinery sourced from Pratt & Whitney in the U.S.A., the factory produced approx. 640,000 SMLE’s between 1912 and 1956. The factory then produced the L1A1 Rifle (SLR) and now currently manufactures the Steyr assault rifle for the ADF.
Located in Methven Street, Lithgow, the museum is operated by volunteers who are happy to show you around answer any questions you may have. Broadly speaking, the displays in the museum cover three separate themes. These are handguns, rifles and machine guns and civilian production.
Handguns
The extensive handgun collection takes up the first floor, and is based around the collection of the late Ron Hayes. If you can think of a handgun, it is probably on display here. The handgun collection is absolutely amazing.
Left: One of the Luger displays, Top Right : A well-presented Webley, Bottom Right Russian handguns: (Top to bottom) Nagant revolver, Tokarev S/A pistol, Makarov S/A pistol, PSM S/A pistol
Military Rifles, Machine Guns and Sub Machine Guns
This section covers from the pre-Federation era to the present day. Australian and foreign service weapons are on display, as well as some experimental weapons and prototypes made at Lithgow.
Early Lee-Enfields were stocked in walnut. Several local timbers were used to see which was the most suitable. They eventually settled on Coachwood. The display shown below shows the other timbers used.
Sporting Firearms
Sporting rifles were manufactured from the late 1940’s by the Lithgow SAF and marketed by Slazenger. Manufacture ceased in the early 1960’s. From top to bottom:
Single shot rifle in .22LR
Bolt action repeaters in .22LR
Bolt action rifle in 22 Hornet. (Based on SMLE action)
Civilian Production
When arms manufacturing slowed, the factory was encourage to seek outside work. A wide range of items were manufactured. These included parts for Sunbeam Mixmasters, sheep shearing machinery, golf club heads, sewing machines and handcuffs. Handcuffs are still made today under the SAF-LOK brand.
If you have any more than a passing interest in firearms, the Small Arms Factory Museum should definitely be on your list of places to visit. A word of advice, don’t be in a hurry. This is one museum that takes time.
The museum also has a shop that is well stocked with merchandise. There are books, shirts, gifts and souvenirs to suit everyone.
Until next time, have a happy and safe shoot!
Acknowledgement:
Thanks to the volunteers at the Museum for their assistance on my recent visit.
Further Information:
The museum is located on 69 Methven Street, Lithgow. NSW. Opening hours are as follows:
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9:30am to 2:00pm,
Weekends & public holidays 10:00am to 4pm,
School & public holidays
7 days, 10am to 4pm
Enquiries:
Phone (02) 6351 4452 or look on the web at www.lithgowsafmuseum.org.au admin@lithgowsafmuseum.org.au