Need some help finding a part...

Hmmm, I was studying the photos NZL1A1Collector (did I get that right?) posted and it looks as though he drilled out the side of the bipod head and welded in the threaded bit off another plastic SLR handguard. Seems simple enough...

L1A1 components are generally very close to but rarely EXACTLY the same as Metric FN sizes. That said, you can play "mix and match" to a surprising degree.

Most of the screws and general threads are the "nearest imperial size".

Remember that all this caper was done back in the 1950s, when Britain and the Commonwealth were still heavily into "Imperial" measurements.

Not surprisingly, "BA" threads feature in the smaller sizes. BA threads are in turn derived directly from Swiss "Thury" METRIC clockmakers threads: "0" BA is essentially M6 but with a 47 1/2 degree form and radiused roots and crests..

Thread for the handguard retaining screw should be: No.10 x 32 TPI. This is NOT a BA thread, but one of a UNF "number" series. Screw for the laminated handguards is 1¼” long.

I will ask a couple of old scroungers if they have any originals for the "solid" handguards in a dusty old corner somewhere.

Will this one work? http://www.palmbeachparts.com/shoppi...hp?id=172&=SID

Al

I always tread carefully if I disagree with BinO so.... I wouldn't necessarily quite agree about the metric thread part Bruce. We had a crib-sheet list of screw threads for the L1A1 and even some jigs for boring out broken off screws and just seem to recall that there was one or two odd ones (am I thinking screw securing foresight and the actual foresight threads....? Tankie/Skippy/Son.....) for which Field workshops with bigger/better facilities could indent for the special clearing taps. But generally, the others were metric and certainly (?) the handguard.

Even the return spring tube into the TMH was (same as gas cylinder?) a 12mm or so fine standard metric size. When these (and the TMH locking lever pinned screw were rusted in (all the bloody time in Malaya and Lithgow phosphated ones were the worst offenders....) the battered screw threads were cleaned out prior to assembling a new ret. string tube. I could be wrong and my memory could be a bit addled. I recall that we weren't allowed to change much in the sealed drawings because if we did, there were patent penalties. Even the sand cuts incurred penalty charges.

They're all the same. Even on the Bren we weren't allowed to change much (threads for example. There was even some discussion about the Mk2 gun foresight protector and pistol grip screw but Shepherd - the S in Sten - told them to just get on with it as it was a matter that could be discussed later should the matter arise) Conditions for the GPMG were even worse!

I found a few. Email me direct at bdlltd@bellsouth.net.

If I needed to know any particular thread size for repairing or chasing out the threads. I often looked it up in E.M.E.R.s Pete. There was a list at the back of Tech Data, which covered most of these screw threads. Saying that, If it was something we didn't have the right size/tool for. A Field or Base workshop was never too far from any of the locations. I was attached at. So It was a simple matter of a phone call to arrange that I would be coming over. Draw a Land Rover out & go to aforementioned Workshops. Do the job there & then on one of the guys benches. (Or at my Rank level most of the time. 'OK Mate, get on with that.' Whilst Me & His Boss had a chinwag over a cup of Coffee! ;) )..........