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AUSTRALIA

Australian Military Conflicts, 1870-Present

The period of the last quarter of the 19th century was marked by colonization and westward expansion similar to that in the U.S. In 1901 the various colonies were federated as states into a Commonwealth of Australia. Australia fought on the side of Great Britain in both world wars. Australia sent troops to Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s.

HANDGUNS

The Australian military currently uses the Browning Model 1935 designated the L9A1. These guns were manufactured by Inglis during World War II and since by FN. Chambered for 9mm cartridge. The first FN built pistols were purchased in 1963.

Australian Model L9A1 Pistol

This model is the standard British issue 9mm Model 1935 pistol built by FN under contract. Marked, “PISTOL, SELF-LOADING” instead of “PISTOL, AUTOMATIC.” First ordered in June of 1963. None have been imported to the U.S.

SUBMACHINE GUNS

Australian military forces currently use its own designed and produced F1 submachine gun as well as the HK MP5 and MP5SD. The Sterling L34A1 silenced version is also used by special operations units.

Owen

This Australian submachine gun is chambered for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. It features a top mounted 33-round magazine and quick release barrel attachment. The barrel is 9.75" long and the rate of fire is 700 rounds per minute. Weight is about 9.25 lbs. It was produced from 1941 to 1944. Marked “OWEN 9MM MKI LYSAGHT PK AUSTRALIA PATENTED 22/ 7/41” on the right side of the frame.

Pre-1968

Exc. V.G.

Exc.	V.G.	Fair
17500	15000	12000

Pre-1986 manufacture with new receiver or re-weld

Exc.	V.G.	Fair
12000	9000	N/A

Austen Mark I

Introduced in 1943 this gun is a take-off on the British Sten with a folding butt similar to the MP40. Chambered for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge and fitted with an 8" barrel with forward grip. Uses a 28-round box magazine. Rate of fire is approximately 500 rounds per minute. Weight is about 9 lbs. About 20,000 were produced between 1943 and 1945 by Diecasters and Carmichael in Australia.

Austen Submachine Gun • Courtesy Thomas Nelson, from The World’s Submachine Guns, Vol. 1

Pre-1968

Exc.	V.G.	Fair
17500	15000	12000

Pre-1986 manufacture with new receiver or re-weld

Exc.	V.G.	Fair
N/A	N/A	N/A

F-1

First introduced in 1962, this submachine gun was built by the Australian arsenal at Lithgow. Chambered for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge and fitted with an 8" barrel, this gun has a round receiver with a wooden buttstock with pistol grip and perforated barrel jacket. The 34-round magazine is top mounted. Weight is about 7 lbs. Rate of fire is approximately 600 rounds per minute.

NOTE: It is not known how many, if any, of these guns are in the U.S. and are transferable. Prices listed below are estimates only.

Pre-1968

Pre-1968
Exc.	V.G.	Fair
18000	15000	12000

Owen • Paul Goodwin photo

RIFLES

In 1985 the Australian Defense Ministry adopted the Steyr AUG 5.56mm F8 rifle as its service rifle. Australia also uses the British Parker Hale M82 Sniper Rifle, as well as the U.S. M16A1 rifle.

No. 1 SMLE Mark III

Made in Australia by M.A. Lithgow 1914-1945. This is the same as the English made SMLE #1 Mk III and is chambered in .303 British. It has a 10-round detachable magazine. Many were imported to the U.S. in the 1990’s. Serial number is usually found on the receiver, bolt, nose cap and fore stock. Deduct 20 percent for MM parts.

No. 1 SMLE Mark III* H

Built only at Lithgow arsenal in Australia and features a heavier barrel marked with an “H” near the receiver.

Bayonet for Australian No. 1 SMLE Mark III

Same as the English Pattern 1907 bayonet. Wood grips. 15" single edge blade. Marked “M.A.” or “MA Lithgow.” Scabbards sometimes marked “Mangrove.” Price range 125 – 50.

Bolo Bayonet for No. 1 SMLE Mark III

Wood grip. 11.5" single edge bolo shaped blade. Made in limited quantities during WW2. Price range 700 – 450.

No. 1 Mark III* H.T. (Australian) Sniper

Introduced toward the end of World War II, this rifle used mostly rebuilt Mark III actions dating to between 1915 and 1918. Fitted with both high and low mounts. The standard bracket telescope tube is marked, “SIGHT TELESCOPE PATT 1918 (AUS).” These rifles are fitted with a heavy barrel. Only about 1,500 of these rifles were converted.

SCOPE NOTE: The No. 32 (Marks 1-3) scope was the most commonly used on British-made guns. The No. 32 and the Alaskan are not the same scope. About 100 Lyman Alaskan scopes were fitted to Longbranch No. 4 Mark 1*(T) rifles in 1944-1945. In addition to the British-made scopes, R.E.I. Ltd. in Canada made its own version of the No. 32 and these are usually found on Longbranch guns. The No. 67 scope, used on about 100 Longbranch (T)s was made by R.E.I. and differs from the design of the No. 32.

Rifle No. 6 Mark I & Mark I/I (AUST)

This model was essentially a trials rifle built in Australia at Lithgow. Similar to the No. 5 but with a No. 1 receiver. Metal components have been milled for lightening. Barrel length is 20.5" with flash hider. The Mark I differs from the Mark I/I in rear sight. Rear sight is open and graduated to 2,000 yards on the Mark I and the Mark I/I uses an aperture sight graduated from 200 to 800 yards. Both models have serial numbers with an “XP” prefix. Each model has two variations of buttplates: one standard brass and the other composition padded with hinges at bottom for trap access.

NOTE: Beware of fakes. Seek expert advice prior to a sale.

L1A1 Rifle

This is the British version of the FN-FAL in the “inch” or Imperial pattern. Most of these rifles were semi-automatic only. This rifle was the standard service rifle for the British Army from about 1954 to 1988. The rifle was made in Lithgow, Australia, under license from FN. The configurations for the L1A1 rifle are the same as the standard FN-FAL Belgium rifle. Only a few of these rifles were imported into the U.S. They are very rare. This “inch” pattern British gun will also be found in other Commonwealth countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and India.

NOTE: Only about 180 Australian L1A1s were imported into the U.S. prior to 1989. These are rare and in great demand.

Bayonet for Australian No. 1 SMLE Mark III

Australian L1A1 Rifle • Courtesy Blake Stevens, The FAL Rifle

MACHINE GUNS

Between 1925 and 1930 the Australian firm of Lithgow built the Vickers machine gun. Later, between 1938 and 1940, the same company built the Bren gun in .303 caliber. Approximately 12,000 Vickers and 17,000 Bren guns were built in Australia during this period. After World War II the Australian military adopted the U.S. M60 machine gun, the Browning 1919A4, and the .50 caliber Browning M2HB. More recently, that country’s military uses the Belgian FN MAG, and the German MG3.

Australian Bren

This is a slightly modified version of the MK I built by the Small Arms Factory, Lithgow, beginning in 1940. Marked “MA” and “LITHGOW” on the right side of the receiver. A total of 17,429 guns were produced when production stopped August 13, 1945.

Pre-1968 (Extremely Rare)

Exc.	V.G.	Fair
40000	37500	30000

Australian Vickers

Manufactured by the Small Arms Factory in Lithgow beginning in 1929. The gun was last built in 1945. Serial numbers began with the number 1 and went to 9,999. From then on the prefix “B” was added. Highest serial number recorded is B2344.

Pre-1968

Exc.	V.G.	Fair
N/A	—	—

Pre-1986 conversions (side-plate using Colt 1915 or 1918 plates)

Exc.	V.G.	Fair
17500	15000	12500