L42A1 with unusual fore end?

[RobD]

I have just taken possession of this L42A1. I would be grateful for comments from the experts, especially Peter Laidler.
The fore end is clearly not from a No4 Mk1, yet it is numbered to the rifle. Was substitution of Mk 2 style fore-ends allowed when these rifles were manufactured?

The cheekpiece is a repro. The rifle number is AR10097; note the last digit is lightly struck - Simon ("Service to L42A1 and Enforcers sticky") writes: ""Rifle AR10097 doesn't appear in the records, however there is an AR1009 (could be a typo?) which was part of batch number 48 which consisted of 40 rifles and was sent to store at Donnington on the 30th December 1971".

I'd appreciate any comments about the rifle, especially its originality.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Peter Laidler]

While a Mk2/L39 fore-end will fit and L42, it wasn't like that originally and such a variation was never approved. If it was an approved change (as I've been told by some whom I accept know more than me) then I'd ask a)why they went to all that hassle to retro-convert stockpiles of Mk2 fore-ends back to Mk1 spec for the L42 and b) why it isn't mentioned in the EMER's and c) why isn't the Mk2 type fore-end approved as such in the L42parts list? Just a thought.

PS on that. I'm not an expert by any means. I've dealt with a few and made a point of writing down what I did over the years that's all

Just looking at your serial number that's been over engraved, showing the last '7', this looks to me like a case of several that have gone through the system and once bead blasted, the numbers have become totally indistinct. It happens...... But 20 go into the workshop system, 20 are repaired and 20 come out bearing the serial numbers on the AFG 1045 (the Armourers work sheet for want of a better word.....) paperwork. Re numbering can get quite complex and an Officer (delegated to the workshop ASM) was required to oversee the allocation of a special SA xx Axxxx number

I know of a No4T where the original and almost indistinct number is still (?) but only just visible if you look with a squint on the body but the new number on the butt socket is something different. But it kept a paperwork mad Quartermaster happy

[RobD]

Peter, apart from the fore-end, do you think the rest of the rifle, the scope mounts, the scope and the transit case all look correct, and all belong together? I haven't shown the 19tons stamps which are correct, by the way, or the rear sight cursor, which is also correct. I am certainly no expert, but I certainly hope this is a pukka rifle, since this kit did not come all that cheap!
If authentic rifle, then we have the problem of a wrong Mk 2 type fore-end, stamped with two (indistinct) numbers, one of which looks like the rifle serial number minus the AR prefix.
Could this have been an expedient when it was being sold out of service, possibly the fore-end being b*ggered?

Could you instruct me how I could retro-convert this fore-end back to Mk 1 spec, or is that beyond the skill of a mortal?

[Badger]

Tangential to this thread and for those of you who would like more information on the very early 1971 L42A1's, there's an MKL entry in the United Kingdom section complete with a 109 pic virtual tour of an "all correct" piece.

1971 L42A1 Enfield Sniper Rifle

Regards,
Doug

[Thunderbox]

Could you instruct me how I could retro-convert this fore-end back to Mk 1 spec, or is that beyond the skill of a mortal?

Rob,

If you're passing my neck of the woods, I can show you an L39 forend thats been converted to Mk1 for an L42. Would probably be more original and a better idea to save your forend for a needy L39, and make a new forend out of a walnut No4 Mk1 forend.

[Peter Laidler]

I wrote an article about L42 fore-ends for this forum a year or so back and wrote a little cheap book too. Have a browse through both, chat to thunderbox and come back if you're hell bent on converting what you have. Better to start afresh with a bog standard No4 Mk1 type fore-end. At least that way, when you router the barrel groove you won't end up with a heap of pure butchered tat (see article.....) that you can snap with a finger

[Beerhunter]

I'd appreciate any comments about the rifle, especially its originality.

That chamber stick looks like a Ma Parker special to me. :-) (The only part that I feel qualified to comment on.)

And what happened to: "I'm going to concentrate on South African stuff in future"?

[Amatikulu]

On the 5th photo, am I imagining it or can a No.4 Mk 1/2 be made out? My weary eyes can see it

[Peter Laidler]

Our chamber sticks were made by P-H and later, by a little firm (in Brighton I seem to remember.....) called JETAGE

Can I have the details of the previous rifle/tele in the chest Rob, visible under the felt pen scrawl

[Badger]

I wrote an article about L42 fore-ends for this forum a year or so back and wrote a little cheap book too. Have a browse through both, chat to thunderbox and come back if you're hell bent on converting what you have. Better to start afresh with a bog standard No4 Mk1 type fore-end. At least that way, when you router the barrel groove you won't end up with a heap of pure butchered tat (see article.....) that you can snap with a finger

Here's the fomal MKL articles Peter is referring to ...

The L42 and 39 Fore-ends

The fore-end and handguards of the L42

Regards,
Doug