Lithgow Model 1

Lithgow Small Arms Factory · Rifle · Discontinued · 1945

Also known as: Lithgow .22 Model 1

Overview

The Lithgow Model 1 is a .22 Long Rifle single-shot bolt-action rifle produced by the Lithgow Small Arms Factory in New South Wales, Australia, from 1945. Introduced after the Second World War as the factory diversified into the civilian market, it was a simple, robust rimfire trainer and small-game rifle. The single-shot bolt action fed one cartridge at a time and was later joined by the closely related Model 1A and Model 1B variants.

Specifications

Action Type	Bolt Action
Firing Mechanism	Striker Fired
Trigger Type	Single Stage
Magazine Capacity	1 rounds
Muzzle Velocity	330 m/s (1083 fps)
Muzzle Energy	141 J (104 ft·lbf)
Effective Range	90 m (98 yd)
Barrel Rifling	Right Hand
Frame Material	Steel
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Wood
Finish	Blued

Calibers

.22 Long Rifle · primary — also known as .22 LR, 22 LR, 5.6x15mmR

Features

Firing modes: Manual
Feed systems: Single Shot Loading
Features: Single Shot, Open Sights

Variants

Lithgow Model 1A - Single Shot
Lithgow Model 1B - Single Shot

Service history

Operators

Civilian sport and target shooters

Production

Production years: 1945-

Part of Lithgow's post-war civilian .22 rimfire range alongside the Model 1A, 1B, Model 12 repeater and Model 24 Hornet

Origin

Country of origin: Australia

Notes

Detailed physical specifications (barrel length, weight, overall length) are not widely documented for this early Lithgow commercial rimfire. Muzzle velocity and energy shown are typical .22 LR values.

Background

When wartime rifle contracts dried up after 1945, the government-owned Lithgow Small Arms Factory turned its military tooling to civilian sporting arms, and the single-shot Model 1 .22 became one of the first rifles many rural Australian shooters ever owned.