L42a1

I was in the process of making an offer on a No4 MkI (T) with a mismatched Mk2 scope when I rec'd a call from a member of this forum. He was at a gun show on Black Friday and came across a guy selling an L42A1 with an incorrect scope (No32 Mk3). The guy was asking less for the L42A1 than the No4 MkI (T). I immediately called the seller and to make a long story short, pics below are of the L42A1 I rec'd this afternoon.

I know that the scope is incorrect and that the scope mount does not match; however, the receiver, bolt, and forestock do match. I plan on keeping the No32 Mk3 on the rifle until I am able to find a correct scope.

Nice find, what is the bore like and did it come with it's case.

Myles

I agree with Myles, a nice find. There's a sticky thread where you can get some history on that particlar rifle.
Service for L42A1, Enforcer, Envoy and L39A1 Owners.

Hi

Nice find. I picked up a l42A1 last week dated 74 on the action and barrel with chordal rifling. Very keen to hear from anyone with a chordal rifled barrel to find out the barrel and action dates. I want to know if the chordal barrels were produced in 74 then held in stores until fitted to the next batch of rifles. Hopefully I can upload some photos of my
L42A1

Attachment 18272 - Attachment 18280 - Attachment 18279 - Attachment 18278 - Attachment 18277 - Attachment 18276 - Attachment 18275 - Attachment 18274Attachment 18273 - Attachment 18281

Good idea to NOT mess with that telescope TLV. It would be simple to have it engraved to L1A1 spec but while it's a Mk3, you have the option of both a Mk3 AND and L1A1. But if it's marked as an L1A1, then L1A1 it remains. If you want to use a Mk3 on your L42 just remember to zero it at 25 yards and from then on, instead of reading the range scale, just count the clicks from 0.

Hi Peter

In your book your refer to chordal rifled barrels being found on the 1980 batch. Can you please shed some light on my 74 dated barrel and action with chordal rifling and if you know what date is on the barrels of the 80 batch rifles you have seen with chordal rifling. Thanks. Graeme

tlvaughn: nice rifle and scope! Maybe you'll find their mates one day. Might as well try Angel's Matchmaking Forum on this site and throw your numbers in the mix. The more entries, the greater the chance of finding matching components.



Posted by broadarrow303

Quote:

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Hi

Nice find. I picked up a l42A1 last week dated 74 on the action and barrel with chordal rifling. Very keen to hear from anyone with a chordal rifled barrel to find out the barrel and action dates. I want to know if the chordal barrels were produced in 74 then held in stores until fitted to the next batch of rifles. Hopefully I can upload some photos of my
L42A1

https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....925735&thumb=1 - https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....925761&thumb=1 - https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....925759&thumb=1 - https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....925755&thumb=1 - https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....925752&thumb=1 - https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....925748&thumb=1 - https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....925745&thumb=1 - https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....925743&thumb=1https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....925738&thumb=1 - https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....925763&thumb=1

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One difference in your barrel from the '71 batch is the six groove rifling, rather than four. Interesting! Haven't seen that before. (???Or I'm getting old!;))

The barrel's external contour has a step about mid-way down it's length as well, as described by Captain Laidler's wee book. Very cool. Have yet to lay hands on one.

As y'all have a pile of photos, I'll link this and the old "L42 Photos" thread together.

Link below:
L42 Photos

Nice rifle ... :thup:

For comparisons of markings and other interesting background on this early dated L42A1, here's the example in our MKL of ...

1971 L42A1 Enfield Sniper Rifle (click here)

Regards,
Doug

I have to confess that while they were regularly passing through my hands, I didn't bother to record every detail such as the barrel markings of the 1980 batches of rifles although my friend has one so I'll ask.

All I know is that the 1980 L42 barrels were chordally rifled and were made on the 'double ended' barrel machine (for want of a better description.....), as shown by the distinct step. Because yours is made on the double ended barreling machine doesn't mean that it's chordal rifling. The rifling pattern/pitch etc is dictated by the rifling former

I noticed the thick breeching up washer on this rifle, was the necessity for one common to all these barrels, or only if fitting required one?