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AUSTRALIAN L1A2 BAYONET & NUMBER 5 MARK II SCABBARD MANUFACTUREDBYLITHGOWAFTER 1959 TO FIT THE AUSTRALIANVERSION OF THE FN FAL: THE SELF LOADING RIFLE (SLR) AND THE F1 MACHINE CARBINE.
This is an amazing example of theL1A2 Bayonetmanufactured by Lithgow after February 1959 to equip the Australian Army's L1A1 SLR. This rifle was the standard AustralianAssault Riflebetween 1959 and 1991. They were employed by Australian forces in all of the campaigns undertaken between those dates most notably in Vietnam.A photograph of Australian ‘Diggers’ in Vietnam, one of who is carryingL1A2 Bayonetfitted to his SLR rifle, is attached to this listing as is a picture of returning soldiers marching with bayonets ‘fixed’.
There are nomarkings visible on this bayonet, which is normal, as in Australian production code numbers were deleted as of the 10thFebruary 1959. This bayonet was therefore manufactured at Lithgow after that date. These bayonets are very similar to both the early British L1A1 and Canadian L1A2 and the later British L1A3 and L1A4. However, in addition to the absence of a stamped code number, Australian produced L1A2’s also incorporated some minor production differences to bayonets produced in the UK and Canada. These differences included fuller and blade profiles as well as blade finish.
Most Australian produced bayonets were either manufactured or have been re-furbished with a parkerized finish. This example still retains all of its original factory finish and is in near mint condition. TheNumber 5 MarkII Scabbardis excellent with its original painted finish (see pictures).
This isan AustralianSLR L1A2 Bayonetin superb ‘as new’ conditionproduced by Lithgow: steel hilt with a shaped steel press stud and internal spring, two piece steel grips, secured by two rivets, straight steel crossguard withmuzzle ring and short quillon. Single edged fullered steel blade with curved false top edged Bowie blade.
Maker: Lithgow
Overall Length: 12 1/2"
Blade Length: 7 5/8"
Blade Width(at guard): 1"
Muzzle Ring Diameter: 15 mm
Scabbard: Number 5 Mark II, painted steel with a circular fixing stud.
Overall length of scabbard: 8 5/8"
This is a superb Australian Lithgow manufacturedL1A2 SLRBayonetin amazing original condition.these are increasingly sought after bayonets anywhere.
