Lithgow Arms facts for kids
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| Industry | Firearms |
|---|---|
| Founded | 8 June 1912 |
| Headquarters | Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia |
| Products | Pistols, Rifles, Carbines, Submachine guns, Machine guns, Handcuffs |
| Parent | Thales Australia |
Lithgow Arms is a company in Australia that makes small weapons. It is located in the town of Lithgow, New South Wales. The Australian Government started it in 1912. Back then, it was called the Lithgow Small Arms Factory. The government wanted Australia to make its own weapons. This way, they wouldn't have to rely on other countries like the United Kingdom. Today, a company called Thales Australia owns Lithgow Arms.
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History of Lithgow Arms
The factory opened its doors on June 8, 1912. At first, during World War I, they made Lee-Enfield rifles. They also made Pattern 1907 bayonets for the Australian army.
Expanding Production During Wartime
During World War II, they started making more weapons. These included Vickers machine guns and Bren guns. After the war, the factory began making other things too. They made sporting goods like golf clubs. They also produced tools and sewing machines. In the mid-1950s, they started making the F1 submachine gun and the L1A1 SLR. They even made prototypes of new rifles.
Changes in Ownership and Modern Production
In the 1960s, the factory made some of its rifles under the Slazenger brand. These included the single-shot Models 1A and 1B. They also made the Model 12 repeater.
The factory was later changed into a company called Australian Defence Industries. This happened under the Hawke government. Then, in 2006, it was sold. Now, Thales Australia owns Lithgow Arms. They still make important weapons for the Australian military. These include the F88 Austeyr rifle and the F89 Minimi.
The Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum
There is also a special place called the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum. It is run by volunteers and is not part of the current factory. The museum is located at the front of an old part of the factory site. It has a large collection of military and civilian firearms. Many of these weapons were made right there at the factory.
In 2019, the museum was added to the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register. This list includes important collections and documents. They are considered key to Australia's history. About 9,000 people visit the museum each year. It is a big attraction for the city of Lithgow.
Products Made by Lithgow Arms
Lithgow Arms has made many different products over the years. This includes weapons for the military and for everyday people. They also made other items like aircraft parts and tractor parts.
Military Weapons
Besides the weapons listed below, the factory also made other parts. They produced bayonets, barrels, and magazines. They also repaired and changed weapons.
- Short Magazine Lee Enfield: Over 640,000 of these rifles were made. This includes different versions like the Rifle No 1 Mk III. They were produced from 1912 to 1945.
- Vickers machine gun: About 12,500 of these were made. Production ran from 1929 to 1943.
- Bren light machine gun: Around 17,500 were produced from 1940 to 1945.
- L1A1 Self Loading Rifle: A total of 222,773 rifles were made. This happened between 1959 and 1986.
- L2A1: 9,557 of these were produced.
- L1A1-F1: 460 of these were made.
- F1 submachine gun: About 25,000 were produced from 1962 to 1973.
- Austeyr F88: Production of this rifle started in 1988.
- Minimi F89: Production of this weapon began in 1989.
- Australian Combat Assault Rifle (ACAR): This rifle started being produced in 2023.
Commercial Firearms
Lithgow Arms also made many firearms for civilian use. These are guns that people can own for sports or hunting.
Discontinued Firearms
These are firearms that are no longer made by Lithgow Arms:
- Lithgow Model 1 .22 single-shot rifle: Made from 1945.
- Lithgow Model 1A .22 single-shot rifle.
- Lithgow Model 1B .22 single-shot rifle.
- Lithgow Model 12 .22 bolt-action 5-shot repeater: Made from 1947.
- Lithgow Model 12 .22 bolt-action 10-shot repeater (Bibby).
- Lithgow Model 24 .22 Hornet cartridge: Made from 1949.
- A single-shot bolt-action shotgun using the .410" cartridge.
Current Production Firearms
These are the firearms that Lithgow Arms makes today:
- Lithgow LA101 CrossOver bolt-action rimfire rifle: Available in different calibers like .17 HMR and .22 LR.
- Lithgow LA102 CrossOver bolt-action centerfire rifle: Available in calibers like .223 Rem and .308 Win.
- Lithgow LA105 Woomera bolt-action centerfire rifle: Available in 6.5mm Creedmoor and .308 Win.
- Lithgow F90 Semi Auto/Automatic Military Grade Rifle: Available in 5.56×45mm NATO.
- Lithgow F90MBR Modular Bullpup Rifle: Also available in 5.56×45mm NATO.
