Also, in the conversion to the L-42, a whole new fore-end / hand-guard set-up was used, i.e., that from the No8 .22 trainer. This donor system, whilst having a somewhat different trigger, has a fore-end with a "solid' back end a back-strap like a No4 Mk1 - 1*. It also has a slightly more "beefy" profile. A MUCH better solution than trying to revive and fool around with old, pre-loved, several times sanded, standard No4 fore-ends and hand-guards.

The L42 project appears to have had a whiff of "poverty-pack" in its genesis, but, because of the competent engineering that had gone before, it worked, and surviving examples STILL work quite well.

Has anyone seen a genuine drawing for the chamber and lead (throat) of the proper L42A1 barrels. I am interested in finding out if they were given a little "extra" freebore to stretch and flatten the pressure curve. Comparison to these features on the L1A1 barrel would also be interesting.