Singapore Police Lithgow .22 dedicated L1A1

[mrclark303]

Afternoon all,

So, apparently a Singapore Police training rifle, Lithgow L1A1 marked on the left hand side L12A1 and apparently delivered as such....

Obviously British plastic, with an 8 slot New Zealand pattern handguard (that I am still bloody searching for!!!)

I like to pride myself as having a pretty well rounded knowledge of the L1A1 and this is news to me...


https://www.enfieldguns.com/l12a1-22lr


Opinions please Gents.....

[browningautorifle]

I can't speak to it's originality but I sure used enough of them with the kits installed, that would be so nice...except the price. Absolutely stunning price. Hope it's original for that.

[mrclark303]

I can't speak to it's originality but I sure used enough of them with the kits installed, that would be so nice...except the price. Absolutely stunning price. Hope it's original for that.

Hi Jim, I use my L12A1 kit in both of my L1's, always fun...

[Peter Laidler]

The seller has misunderstood something I fear.............

The L12 designation was the designation of the sub calibre KIT and not the rifle. There was NEVER a designation of RIFLE, .22" L12. THAT L12 rifle designation WAS THE PRESERVE OF A SPECIALLY ADAPTED SHOTGUN. And what I see doesn't look much like a specially adapted shotgun..........! The L12 kit was KIT, conversion 0.22" calibre, L12A1 for 7.62mm rifle..

That is only my view based on nothing more than my bit-part experience, the EMER, the parts list and the L12 user handbook.

We did have rifles with the kit permanently fitted, caused by the .22" barrel bulging and jamming solid in the 7.62 bore. These were still on charge as a rifle but relegated to indoor training (or out door poaching on the training areas.....) but with a red band around the handguards and all unnecessary parts, such as gas parts and return springs stripped from them. When this occurred, the now .22" rifle was retained IF THE REQUIREMENT EXISTS and a new rifle issued as a replacement. Alas, when the L1A1's were called in for replacement by the L85, these .22" rifles seemed to languish in the backs of armouries or Armourers shops until someone decided what to do with them.

[browningautorifle]

out door poaching on the training areas

Yep...

[mrclark303]

Yep...

I seem to recall your stories of rock'n'roll C1's and .22 kits out on the prairie Jim!

I assume you were laying waste to the local wildlife with a C2 Jim, or did you pop the giggle lever and short plunger into your C1?

[browningautorifle]

laying waste to the local wildlife

Mostly gophers but a few duck and the odd Canada Goose or grouse, rabbits... Just a C1A1 on auto with the sub cal, a proper conversion. They sure used up the ammo quick.

[Sapper740]

I seem to recall your stories of rock'n'roll C1's and .22 kits out on the prairie Jim!

I assume you were laying waste to the local wildlife with a C2 Jim, or did you pop the giggle lever and short plunger into your C1?

Oh dear. As soon as the Statute of Limitations has passed I may have some stories to share.

---------- Post added at 03:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:34 AM ----------

Not the direction I’d be going if I had £4k burning a hole in my pocket…..

Not with that scoped Territorial Rifle for sale at around the same cost.

[desperatedan]

When you look closely at the photo of the 'L12A1' I think you can make out some signs of apparent work to remove the original L1A1 designation. There are a couple of witness marks - a radius at the left end of the serial 'flat' and what looks like the sharp corner/edge of the end of the top of the charging handle slot has some rounding (although could be wear & tear?).

I've got a mint ex-SPF Lithgow L1A1 and have had a quick look and it's not showing the same marks

Photo of mine and the L12A1 to illustrate what I mean.

[browningautorifle]

the Statute of Limitations

I'd think you're safe, you escaped down south. Those have been out of service since...87?

---------- Post added at 07:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:48 AM ----------

some signs of apparent work

One would want to measure the thickness of the body side at that area for comparison.