L42A1 experts. Need Info.

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03-02-2009, 06:42 PM
Charlie

L42A1 experts. Need Info.

I don't know much about the L42A1's. Recently I aquired a nice L42A1. It has some problems, but all things considered the price was more than right. The basic rifle is in excellent+ condition, shows very little wear and retains 96/98%of the original finish. The bore is perfect. The receiver is from an original No.4 Mk.1 T dated 1945 and has all the correct T markings plus the L42A1 designation on the left receiver rail. The scope mount is an original , but don't know if it's original to this rifle. The scope is a No.78 Mk.1 and is marked 99-960-6970, 12372/87. Scope is in excellent condition with clear optics. The original magazine is missing. On a whim I stuck in a mag from a Ishapore A1. It slides right in and latches and it feeds pretty good. No ejection of course but looks like it could be modified to work if nothing else available. The old numbers on the butt and forearm are barley readable and do not match the receiver. No rear sight. My questions are:
1. Is the scope correct.
2. Should the scope mount be numberd to the receiver.
3. Are there any correct mags available.
4. Should the stocks have matching numbers.
5. Should it have a rear sight or were they eliminated on the L42A1
03-02-2009, 06:57 PM
Badger

:beerchug:

A good place to start would be to check the 1971 L42A1 Enfield Sniper Rifle (click here), located in the England - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)

Regards,
Badger
03-02-2009, 06:58 PM
Amatikulu

Is the left side of the receiver marked like this?

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IM000558-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...P1010022-1.jpg

I am sure that Peter laidler will be able to answer your questions with specifics but I have the following concerns from your description:

1. The L42A1 had a barrel with cordal rifling which to me seems far from perfect (in fact until it was explained to me I thought my rifling was stuffed as it apeared shallow and rounded).

2. The L42A1 was "linished" to remove the original markings from the left side of the receiver so the "T" marking by the ejector screw is not normally visible

3. The scope should be an rebuilt No.32 mark 3 cancelled out and redesignated L1A1 (If I recall correctly), to designate metric conversion

4. Mine has a rear sught fitted with the battle sight removed.
03-02-2009, 07:40 PM
Steve H. in N.Y.

The No.78 Mk.1 scope is for a (Carl Gustav?) anti-tank weapon.
03-02-2009, 08:11 PM
MJ1

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

.....MJ....
03-03-2009, 03:06 AM
FlightRN

Another L42A1 to add to the list

Greetings,
Where are you? The are some reports of faux L42A1 surfacing and yours does sound like it has some issues. Did you receive anything else (i.e. transit case, scope can, cleaning items, ect)? Pictures are a must in this situation to figure out what you have.
The number on the butt should match the scope (not the rifle serial number) if you are refering to the numbers just aft of the receiver that is readable as you look down on the rifle. The correct 308 mag shows up once in a blue moon on ePay:bitch: ...but you just have to be lucky. The last one I saw went for $250+. I can not remember if the ons made by Sterling eject or not. Peter L. or Brian D. will hopefully enlighten us.:D

Regards,
Michael E.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif
03-03-2009, 06:14 AM
Mk VII

The scope is for a Charlie G. Hope you didn't pay too much, as the right scope will set you back a chunk of change, even in these hard times.
03-03-2009, 08:50 PM
Charlie

Thanks for the answers guys. I knew this rifle had problems, but the price was so good that I couldn't pass it up. I have been able to determine that the scope base is correct and original. I'd like to find a a mag for it but for a shooter, a good modern scope will be better than an overpriced original. But even with iron sights it should be a tack driver.
03-03-2009, 10:53 PM
smle-man

L1A1 scope

Seeing the comment that the #32 scope was redesignated the L1A1 scope clears up where some of the L42 scopes went. I remember seeing them sold by Paragon sometime in the late 80s (telescope L1straight sighting) along with Numrich selling L42 barrels (the ad copy said that they were 7.62 Enfield barrels made to an FAL heavy barrel pattern - must have been L42s). Wonder how many of the scopes were sold here in the U.S. and who has them but doesn't know what they fit?
03-05-2009, 03:57 AM
Simon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie

Thanks for the answers guys. I knew this rifle had problems, but the price was so good that I couldn't pass it up. I have been able to determine that the scope base is correct and original. I'd like to find a a mag for it but for a shooter, a good modern scope will be better than an overpriced original. But even with iron sights it should be a tack driver.

The NFC (formerly the Pattern Rooms) holds a list of serial numbers of those rifles converted to L42. Let me have the serial number of your rifle and I'll get it checked against it.

Please keep in mind though that although the list is comprehensive there are several known genuine rifles which do not appear on it.

Cheers,

Simon.
03-05-2009, 10:46 PM
Warren

No.78 was also used on the Wombat...They are not too difficult to put back into No.32 configuration.
03-05-2009, 11:12 PM
gunfish

Here are pics that might help.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...receiver-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...lftwrist-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1a1stamp-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1a1mount-1.jpg
03-06-2009, 03:45 AM
Peter Laidler

That's interesting Wheaty and Gunfish. Some Armourers at Field and Base workshops used to put the rifle serial number on the side of the backsight if it had to be removed so that it'd go back on the same rifle. It looks like this has been done on yours Gunny. See top picture (but it's the wrong number!)

Wheaty...., do you mean change the No78 sight grat pattern to No32?
03-06-2009, 03:29 PM
Simon

Peter,

I've sent charlie some info regarding his rifle and its highly likely its one you'll have first hand knowledge of.

Amitakulu,

Rifle M32579 was part of a batch of 15 rifles and the conversion process was completed on the 5th October 1971, from there your rifle was despatched to store at donnington.

Gunfish,

Rifle X30080 was part of a batch of 18 rifles and the conversion process was completed on the 4th june 1971, from there you rifle was despatched to store at Donnington.

Cheers,

Simon.

P.S. if you want a really rare L42A1 records show there were only 11 Long branch and 6 Savage rifles converted.
03-06-2009, 06:10 PM
Warren

typo on my part...should have been No.71 not No.78...Ah, but good scotch (is there such a thing as bad) should not be imbibed upon when typing. But you knew that and were just "pullin me ****er"
03-07-2009, 01:58 PM
MJ1

Neat info. Simon

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif
03-07-2009, 03:20 PM
Simon

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ1

Neat info. Simon

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

MJ,

Let me have the serial of your rifle if you like and I'll see what the records show.

Cheers,

Simon.
03-07-2009, 03:33 PM
Brian B

Simon,

Any information on mine? Serial # E35615.

Thanks,

Brian B

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_3558-1.jpg
03-09-2009, 10:09 AM
Simon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian B

Simon,

Any information on mine? Serial # E35615.

Thanks,

Brian B

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_3558-1.jpg

Brian,

Can you double check your serial number please?

You may have identified the first typo in the serial numnber list. I can't see E35615 but I can see E35651 which was part of a batch of 43 rifles recording a conversion date of 22nd December 1971. Following completion your rifle was despatched to store at Donnington.

Cheers,

Simon.
03-09-2009, 01:33 PM
Peter Laidler

That's nice to see, someone who has the TWO variations of the true CES booklets. The foolscap and the landscape versions. Wow, never seen the two together AND a what looks like a sealed pack of the original lens cleaning tissue....., phew!

I'll tell you what is even RARER that a Savage or LB converted L42, and that's a Trials converted L42!

Those that were selected as suitable for conversion were whitttled down to two, due to the backsight configuration not being compatable with the M converted standard backsight.
03-09-2009, 01:58 PM
bradtx

Simon, If not an imposition, would you please look up L42A1 X31818?

Thanks, Brad
03-09-2009, 02:01 PM
bradtx

double posted
03-09-2009, 04:55 PM
Simon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

That's nice to see, someone who has the TWO variations of the true CES booklets. The foolscap and the landscape versions. Wow, never seen the two together AND a what looks like a sealed pack of the original lens cleaning tissue....., phew!

I'll tell you what is even RARER that a Savage or LB converted L42, and that's a Trials converted L42!

Those that were selected as suitable for conversion were whitttled down to two, due to the backsight configuration not being compatable with the M converted standard backsight.

Hmmm, I wonder what ever happenend to those two?????

Peter, did Charlie ever PM you regarding his L42? The reason I thought you may have had first hand experience of it is because it was one of batch that was despatched directly to Warminster on completion.

Cheers,

Simon.
03-09-2009, 04:59 PM
Simon

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradtx

Simon, If not an imposition, would you please look up L42A1 X31818?

Thanks, Brad

Brad,

Rifle X31818 was part of a batch of 12 rifles and records show a completion date of 26th October 1971. On completion it was despatched to store at Donnington.

Cheers,

Simon.
03-09-2009, 08:16 PM
Brian B

Simon,

I had to double check myself.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_0933-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_0934-1.jpg

I am excited to get some information on this rifle. It is probably my favorite rifle that I own.

Thanks,

Brian
03-09-2009, 08:23 PM
Brian B

Peter,

I purchased the books from Brian in Reno a couple of years ago. Brian was gracious enough to inspect the L42 for me prior to purchase.

A fellow CSP member was kind enough to set me up with the lens brush and the flannel cloth. I think I will leave it in the bag.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSCF0025-1.jpg

I was also able to get an orginal lens bottle to complete that portion of the kit.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_3560-1.jpg

Now, where on earth can I find an IWS Mount? The hunt continues!!

Brian B
03-09-2009, 11:54 PM
bradtx

Simon, Thanks again for looking up my rifle!

Brad