Hi all, miserable day here in the UK.
Last week I had a call out of the blue, a local chap heard that I was interested in all things L1A1 and thought I might want this.
He was a REME officer serving in NI in 1972, he procured this scope combo from his armourer team.
Used for the remainder of the tour and stored ever since.
It's in excellent condition, crystal clear optics and free turrets.
The No71 scope has a standard No32 rectical.
It's extremely well put together with a well attached mount.
I know we have discussed these NI specials over the years here, but here is the evidence that they do actually exist, not just a grainy photograph!
A very interesting piece of NI service history!
Information
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“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Apparently so, R J Beck were (are?) mainly a microscope maker of note, I am about to submit a request for information regarding the trials of these scopes with Royal armouries in Leeds.
Going by the complete Fal book, 19 of the first type were made for trials, I would like to know how many of the second production version (this one) were actually produced.
I think I be right in saying that this must be the only scope setup that was actually calibrated for the L1A1 specifically, unlike the various attempts at recreating this setup by unit armourers in NI using No32 scopes and cobbled mounts.
I would assume these must have been made as a very limited trails batch. I'll post any information I can find regarding numbers made and trails results.
I will be trialling this tomorrow hopefully, weather permitting, though with the .22 conversion kit as I don't want to risk damaging this exceptionally rare item....
.303, helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889
I would assume these must have been made as a very limited trails batch.
There were also attempts by individual weapon techs. I had a PH sight mounted to a body cover by the local shop for accuracy shooting, which apparently didn't work out. I kept it for years and found it was about perfect. The other optic attempts were noted to have "Flex" in the body cover so until the Germans came out with a more rigid body cover no one had any faith.
There were also attempts by individual weapon techs. I had a PH sight mounted to a body cover by the local shop for accuracy shooting, which apparently didn't work out. I kept it for years and found it was about perfect. The other optic attempts were noted to have "Flex" in the body cover so until the Germans came out with a more rigid body cover no one had any faith.
I've a very similar one Jim, it consists of brazed blocks onto the top cover, with the indent for PH rings, I'll have to dig it out....
Edit, here she is, like this one Jim?
I often wondered if this was an Armourers NI 'special' prior to the SUIT.
Last edited by mrclark303; 03-14-2023 at 01:11 PM.
.303, helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889