must know more about my lithgow sht*111 1918 .

[garrettedwards777]

I have a lithgow sht*111 1918 and im not sure if its a surplus or the real thing it seems very old the wood is dark and greesy feeling also has some patch work done on stock and and near muzzle at the end of frame.I also have an old hi-standards u.s.a model h-d and would like to know when it was made it was found in an old broke down house some info on the both would be so helpful thank you
garrett.

 

[Jim Watson]

What do you think is the difference between "surplus" and "the real thing?"
Various foreigners unloaded tons of obsolete military weapons cheap in the USA in the 1950s and 1960s. Not much other way for a smelly to get here, since the Australians were on our side and nobody had been capturing them as souvenirs. If it doesn't have an importer's name on it as now required, I would figure it is one of those early period surplus bolt actions.

The High Standard H-D was made 1940-1942 only.

 

[garrettedwards777]

so it could be a surplus rifle from a long time ago it just seems like it has a story to tell. I also have a mk5 jungle carbine new surplus what do you think of that rifle I enjoy it great sights

 

[John Stimson]

The Model HD was made between January 1940 and January 1942 and a few just before the end of the war.

The U.S.A. Model H-D was made from September 1943 through about May 1945.

A complete serial number will generally allow a complete ship date.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

Pictures are a great way to get a lot of information.

I'll bet it is a No.1 Mark III. If you google "Lithgow No.1 Mk III", you will get a lot of information. There are collectors who know a lot of information here. Again, pictures (good ones) will get you the kind of information you are looking for.

 

[garrettedwards777]

see the no.1 mk111's wood go's all the way to the muzzle..

mine does not it stops at least 6 inches from muzzle the barrel sticks out like 6 to 8 inches not alot of stamping but some arrows will have pics up soon

 

[garrettedwards777]

see the no.1 mk111's wood go's all the way to the muzzle..

mine does not it stops at least 6 inches from muzzle the barrel sticks out like 6 to 8 inches not alot of stamping but some arrows

 

[John-Melb]

Hello Garret,

I sounds like your's has been sporterised (I think in your part of the world it's known as "Bubba'ed")

A Lithgow should have wood all the way to the muzzle finnished off with a heavy nosecap to accept the bayonet.

This is what they looked like originally
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=129205268

Particularly picture 7.

On your's the lug behind the bayonet lug should be drilled to accept a "stacking swivel".

No matter, they're a bloody good rifle and damn near indestructable. They're big, lightning fast to operate and will put down anything on two legs and most things on four.

Yes, I have a major soft spot for anything in .303 with Lithgow stamped on it. I've known men, and am related to some, who have carried them "in harm's way", and I've never heard a bad thing said about one.

As a point of interest, the first major defeats inflicted on both German and Japanese forces during World War 2 were inflicted by men carrying Lithgow's.