Collectors Club Meeting December

This was the last SSAA Newcastle Collectors Meeting for 2025 and was well attended with several familiar faces as well as several visitors observing the meeting. 

The main theme was Carcano-pattern rifles with several members bringing related items for display and discussion including four rifles, consisting of an 1899 M91/24, a 1936 M91 Moschetto, and two M38s, a 1940 and a 1944 respectively, as well as an original M1907 leather ammunition pouch, original 1930’s Italian 6.5mm military ammunition on clips and several patterns of bayonet including a unique M38 folding bayonet which was short-lived in Italian service. 

One member brought a 5.2mm Mondragon round made by Polte. The 5.2x68mm Mondragon round was an early smokeless-powder cartridge that used a piston-system to help regulate the rapid-burning characteristics of smokeless powder of that era. This round had been sectioned with a part of the case wall having been removed to show the piston in position as well as the long ~90gr projectile. This was an extremely unique cartridge that was used by Mexico in the early 1890s before adopting Mauser-pattern rifles in the much more conventional 7x57mm. 

We also had a visitor bring along a rifle that he sought information on, which the group examined and were able to provide information on. The rifle in question was a 1945 Lithgow No1MkIII* that bore Sold out of Service marks and had been converted to a “range rifle” pattern complete with a heavy-style target barrel and Central-brand peep sights. This rifle had been used by his grandfather for many years and quite obviously held great sentimental value. 

As noted earlier, this was the last meeting for 2025. The next meeting is scheduled for February 7th (I.e First Saturday in February).