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I wonder if the other bidder is on here? I won the bid on this conversion kit box, anyone with info regarding the big numbers and letters on the box?
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...e215b61c-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...12559064-1.jpg
2624 is the 'serial'* number of the breech block while the 6290-12 is the Nato Stock Number..., the 12 indicating Germany while the JLA could mean the arms store shelf number.
*The 'serial' number on the box didn't necessarily mean the serial number as such as the kits weren't supplied as serially numbered and not all of the breech blocks even had a number. But if it made the blanket stacker in the Arms Store feel better, then.........
You wonder who on earth decreed that there should be a label inside announcing that the case is empty. You'd have thought that it was bleedin' obvious. Natural selection I suppose!
Nice find as the case was not supplied as a separate item whereas all the bits inside were. The problem now is to find the most difficult bits......... the two magazine inserts!
Thanks Peter, Have the original mags, bought a job lot in an auction last year (most of them marked to 29 CDO), a few have been traded since, but kept back two for such an occasion as this.
What about the rest of the bits...........
Each kit originally came with a small red card covered sort of user handbook. Usually lost after its first outing and quite rare. We used to keep one in my office plus the EMER and parts lists.
The barrel and breech assembly are available, as I was looking at bringing them in from the US, Brian would of done a deal on the export but there were only a few interested in the UK so not a viable option.
The other problem with the new made kits is that there are two versions one for metric and one for imperial.
The straight pull L1A1,s available in the UK are built up by various companies using various barrel blanks, so for a perfect fit the barrel insert would in some cases require centreless grinding, was told I,d go batty trying to do it on a lathe.
The other thing I think was the that most were paying £2000 for their straight pulls, and probably a bit reluctant to slide a metal tube down there pride and joy....
So have three options, wait for the real deal to pop up (think one turned up at scotarms sometime back), or back engineer one and make the parts (my miller has been out of action for some time but will be back on the road soon) the third option is to buy the parts unfinished, so not a Firearm part and produce my own liner.
To be honest not in any rush, I had a few mags without a box, now I have a box complete with mags minus the other bits
I spoke to Herr Mauch(?) at H&K regarding this 'Commonwealth' kit and the FN standard kit while I was simply looking for some of the magazine interface parts (the piece between the .22" magazine and the large standard magazine) and he told me that the kits were identical EXCEPT for the magazines and this is the very reason why H&K had to procure 'commonwealth' magazines for orders from users with Aust/Can/UK made L1A1's. And that is the reason you see the old UK number etched out on L1A1 kits.
Second to that, the H&K part numbers for their kits have simply been transcribed over to NSN's! Indeed, he also said the only reason that there is a different ASSEMBLY part number between the FN and L1A1 type kit is because of the magazine! On that basis, I feel that the 'problem' that people encounter is NOT that there is a difference between the inner workings of the conversion kits, or even the magazines (outer case excepted.....) but the state of some of the home made mix-and-match rifles attempting to use the kits
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
Thanks again Peter, It was the maker of the New kits, who supplies them in Metric & Imperial, and would think this was down to as you say " a mix match of parts etc" , but in an email he did stress metric or imperial regarding the barrel ??
Again this was a catch 22, as I didn't have a clue regarding the barrels fitted to the straight pulls in the UK, I only know of two barrels used, one was Lothar Walther and the other was machined from..... well I cant say too much on that one, except there was a lot of meat on them before the machining.
As for the barrels fitted to the straight pulls. The one I saw and unwisely photographed in detail on this site, lead me to believe that it wasn't a 'new-build' of any sort whatsoever but...... Anyway - who am I to say. I am but a mere amateur, albeit an enthusiastic amateur when it comes to L1A1's and what makes them tick. Or should I say, what makes them go bang!
Injcidentally, I tried and tried to find some of those box latches a year or so ago but couldn't find them anywhere. Anyone know a source for them? They originate in Germany.....
Now that's interesting, first I have heard of that........:eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
Ah, David......... Least said, soonest mended and all that and I passed no further comment
Morning Peter,Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
Just to clear things up regarding UK Sec 1 L1's, they are converted by several companies in the UK and one in Europe. The modifications made to the rifle consist of new (untapped) barrel, de-activated (blocked) gas block and cut plug, no gas tube is fitted. Modified bolt carrier, modified in such a way that the piston would ride up and over if someone was certifiably stupid enough to attempt a re-conversion to semi auto !
The modified design has passed stringent Home Office checks and been passed as a Sec 1 Firearm (In fact my rifle was used in said trials)
It may not be perfect, but its better no L1 and we have to take what we can get these days!
Cheers, John.