L39A1 advice for a beginner if possible please.

Merry Christmas to All,
I was digging through the safe, paused and started looking at my L39A1 more closely. It was one that apparently was used by one of the RAF units stationed in Germany.

I had forgot about the markings stamped on the forward leg of the PH5C rear mount (where the ejector screw goes). Does anyone have an idea of what "RWF 3" stands for? :dunno:

Of interest to me was that the "TARGET RIFLE ASSOCIATION" sticker used crossed L42A1's as the backdrop behind the RAF badge. Until today, I had not noticed this.

I don't remember a discussion about it but FYI- the front sight is Alfred J Parker manufactured.

Best Always,

Michael

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RWF = Royal Welch Fusiliers. These target sights were purchased by the units private fund (called the PRI) and were on charge as an accountable item. So they were regularly disposed of as 'moneys worth' to other units in order to follow an auditable paper trail. Only based on my experience of these things

Thank you for the great information Peter. It's been far too long since I bought this rifle and still haven't taken it to the range. Other duties always seemed to pop up. I just wish I could have brought some of the good Radway Green (144gr?) back with me from the UK. There is bound to be some squirreled away on this side of the pond.
have a safe New Year's
Michael

Ian McCollum and Forgotten Weapons have produced a short video on the history of the L39A1 rifle titled; L39A1: British Service Target Rifle Before the L42A1. It's informative and worth a review.

I don't think Ian's got somethings quite right this time; surely the "conversions" for the ARA (Army Rifle Association) are the first link between the L8 and the L42's.
The inletted rail under the forearm would have been done after issue and possibly by somebody like Fultons at Bisley or Arthur Clarke of the period.

Did they ever issue them with No.8 butts? I always thought this was another post issue modification and I certainly have a strong memory of a friend on here changing one of mine and managing to match the grain of wood.

And lastly the small brass container for sight elements often seen screwed under the pistol grip portion of the butt; these will only hold sight elements for the FS22 foresight tube tunnel (15mm) when every L39 I have ever encountered comes with a "Matchmaker" foresight tube which take the larger 17mm elements which don't fit into the brass container, no matter how hard you push them in!