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 Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia. They make small arms, which are like guns used by soldiers. The Australian Government started this factory in 1912. It was called the Lithgow Small Arms Factory. The main reason was to make sure Australia could make its own defense equipment. This meant they wouldn't have to rely on the British as much. Today, the company is owned by Thales Australia.
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A Look Back: The History of Lithgow Arms
The Lithgow Small Arms Factory first opened its doors on June 8, 1912. When World War I began, the factory quickly started making SMLE III rifles. They also made Pattern 1907 bayonets for the Australian military. This helped equip soldiers during the war.
Expanding Production During World War II
During World War II, the factory grew even more. It started producing other important weapons. These included Vickers machine guns and Bren guns. After the war, the factory made many different things. They produced sporting goods, like civilian firearms and golf clubs. They also made tools and sewing machines.
In the mid-1950s, they began making the F1 submachine gun. They also produced the L1A1 SLR. The factory even worked on prototypes like the KAL1 general purpose infantry rifle. They also made general purpose machine guns.
Changes in Ownership and Modern Production
In the 1960s, the factory made some of its single shot and repeater models under the Slazenger brand. The factory was later changed into a company called Australian Defence Industries. This happened under the Hawke government. In 2006, it was sold.
Now, Lithgow Arms is owned by Thales Australia. It still makes important weapons for the Australian military. These include the F88 Austeyr rifle and the F89 Minimi.
The Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum
There is 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 has a large collection of military and civilian firearms. Many of these were made right 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 from Australia's history. The museum welcomes about 9,000 visitors each year. It is a big attraction for the city of Lithgow.
What Lithgow Arms Makes
Lithgow Arms produces a variety of items. They make weapons for the military and also commercial products. Besides the main weapons, they also make parts like bayonets, barrels, and magazines. They also repair and change weapons.
Military Products
Here are some of the military weapons Lithgow Arms has produced:
- Short Magazine Lee Enfield: Over 640,000 of these rifles were made from 1912 to 1945.
- Vickers machine gun: About 12,500 of these were produced between 1929 and 1943.
- Bren light machine gun: Around 17,500 were made from 1940 to 1945.
- L1A1 Self Loading Rifle: Over 222,000 of these rifles were produced from 1959 to 1986.
- L2A1: About 9,557 of these were made.
- L1A1-F1: Around 460 were produced.
- F1 submachine gun: About 25,000 were made from 1962 to 1973.
- Austeyr F88: Production started in 1988.
- Minimi F89: Production started in 1989.
- Australian Combat Assault Rifle (ACAR): Production started in 2023.
Commercial Products
Besides military items, the factory also made many civilian products. These included parts for aircraft, golf club heads, and tractor parts.
Discontinued Firearms
These are some of the firearms that are no longer made:
- Lithgow Model 1 .22 single-shot rifle (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 (from 1947)
- Lithgow Model 12 .22 bolt-action 10-shot repeater (Bibby)
- Lithgow Model 24 .22 Hornet cartridge rifle (from 1949)
- A single-shot bolt-action shotgun using the .410" cartridge
Current Production Firearms
These are some of the firearms Lithgow Arms makes today:
- Lithgow LA101 CrossOver bolt-action rimfire rifle: Available in different calibers like .17 HMR, .22 LR, and .22 WMR.
- Lithgow LA102 CrossOver bolt-action centerfire rifle: Available in calibers such as .223 Rem, .243 Win, 6.5mm Creedmoor, 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.
