L39A1 used a L42 base clone ?

I am a long-time lurker and first time poster from the U.S. (Louisiana). I have been so impressed with the knowledge base on this Board and have frequented it many times to learn about the L39, Enforcer and L42 series of rifles.

One of my grail items is the L42 sniper rifle BUT at around $6,000.00 it is just out of each for my paycheck. I bit the bullet and purchased a L39A1 (#A671) with the hopes of turning it into a quasi L42...or its "special" cousin.

Of course the 2 items I am having trouble with is the scope mount and scope. I would like my rifle to be a replica of a gun that was issued very very late in service....Gulf War era. I would like to think out of the box and have heard that the Brits issued other scopes to the rifles to keep up with the incoming Accuracy International guns that were coming on line.

Can the Board give me some ideas on what might have been outside the norm with late issued L42's...misc. items that could have been seen on the rifles or some leads on how to make this L39A1 an interesting project?

Thank You.

As for the L39, I wouldn't give them house room personally but for heavens sake just leave the bloody thing alone, as-is, because if you faff around with that making it into something that it's not, you'll end up with a fxxxxx about worthless L39 AND an absolute pigs ear of an absolutely worthless L42 to boot!

Just my 2c of course. Others may choose to differ..........

well I respect what you are saying Peter...Ugh...well did any of the L39's end up with scopes on them? Has there been any reported? I could just buy the mount and an older Pecar 4-10 scope and put a wood cheek riser on the stock. My rifle has the holes on the stock where it would appear a cheek riser once was placed. I messaged Simon asking the background on the rifle.

Thank you Peter!

If you want to put a scope on it, get a Fultons "no-gunsmith" base and put whatever you want on it. If the holes are present for a cheekpiece, then replace it if you want but I wouldn't do any permanent alterations to the L39A1 as it's a collectable in it's own right.

I would concur with the above two gentlemen. The L39A1 may not be anywhere near as collectable as a L42A1, or even an Enforcer, but it has a value in its own right, both monetarily & historically. But once you start drilling holes in it that shouldn't be there, you've made it totally undesirable to anyone, save for at rock bottom prices.
A reasonable compromise would be to fit a 'no gunsmithing' mount as Brian suggests. Then at least you can easily change it back to its original state again, should you come to sell it in the future.

ATB

Rifle A671 was sent to store at Donnington on 26th February 1971.

Cheers,

Simon.

Thank you Simon. Are there further records that I can maybe write for...who might have used it....where was it sent/sold after it went to storage ?

Also, it would seem I purchased the rifle without any sights. I am kinda bummed as I thought they came with it from my dealer. How do I go about finding replacement....what am I to google for the fixed sights? They don't have to be the exact ones that's were issued but appropriate replacements that will work and be acceptable when shooting?

Another question...sorry guys: I like the front sight set up on the L42 model. The blade ears (protection sides) as opposed the circular Parker Hale FS22B front sight. The proper dovetail-cut small square mount IS present on the barrel.

Thank You.

The L39A1 was issued without sights and with a .303 magazine to be used as a loading platform only. The best front sight is the AJP MF2 globe which takes standard Anschutz inserts. It's bigger in diameter than the P-H FS22B. The rear sights used were basically the same but from both AJP, (4/47, 4/80) and P-H, (5C). Keep an eye on Ebay as that's where they will most likely be found. Inserts can be had from Brownells in Iowa and Champion's Choice in Tennessee.

If you want an L42 clone, find a bubba'd No4 T and start there. You should be able to source the correct barrel, magazine, extractor etc. Someone on here was building replica chests. You can buy a repro IWS bracket and the various other bits to fill the rifle chest. The L1A1 scope won't be easy, but again, the stuff is still out there in the USA in the hands of people who don't know what it is. Prowl the gunshows with photos of what you want in hand and ask, ask, ask. You'll find a No32 Mk3, change the scales and you have an L1A1 effectively.

This is what I did when the idea of real L42s on the market was a just a pipe dream.

Hey, fan of props, there's a guy on another thread got a cheap rifle that I hope is fit for an L42 replica. See What have I got thread. What's more it's got JUST the sight(s) you might need. Speak to him.

I wouldn't agree with Surpmil above for the following reasons. If you make a No4T into something it's not, then it's turned into, well....., it's neither beast nor fowl. Just start with a cheap, beat-up, shot-out but serviceable No4 Mk1 or 1/2 and make THAT into a repro L42. The barrel, mag, extractor etc etc logistics are the same but the results are a) you haven't messed around with a No4T and b) you still have a good L42 replica.......

And I'll give you an L1A1 range scale!

I hope to God you don't follow through with altering your L39. There weren't many of these rifles produced at all, only about 1400 if I'm interpreting the production figures correctly, so rarity wise, it beats most other LE variants hands down. These WILL become very desirable rifles one day for precisely that reason.
Sights turn up often on E-Bay and Brian has given you the model numbers, but just a small point to note, the fore sight, AJ2 MFP Globe could equally be replaced with a Parker Hale Match Maker fore sight (They might even be the same sight?)
Please find a "targetised" 7.62mm No4 conversion and get a set of pads fitted properly to it, you'll still end up with a L42 clone that's only worth slightly more than the scope fitted to it, but you won't end up with a scope fitted to a worthless, "ruined" L39.
The only "good" thing about your proposed course of action would be to make L39's even rarer, so increasing the value of those remaining

Hello Fan of Props.
Have a good look at this link if you are not familiar with Parker Hale Sights.
Service and TArget Rifle Sights ~ Parker-Hale and B.S.A.
Don't panic they do come up on ebay quite often OK, in the UK they are about US$150 to $200 the later ones tend to be cheaper as there are not so many buyers.

Keep the L39 as is, it is irreplacable. If you want to make a L42 clone there are a lot of No4 mk1/2s, 1/3s or 2s that have been sporterised such as the ones from parkerhale about that should be pretty cheap and would be suitable.

Forgive me,I really have tried searching,but what is an L1A1 range scale?

It's the crucial part that turns an imperial .303"/yard No32 Mk2/1 and 3 telescope into a 7.62mm/metric L1A1 telescope.

Thanks Peter,
I had a sneaking suspicion this was the case.
I do have some questions regarding such a thing but i'll start a separate thread to avoid clogging this one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

I wouldn't agree with Surpmil above for the following reasons. If you make a No4T into something it's not, then it's turned into, well....., it's neither beast nor fowl.

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When I say "beat up", I mean nothing left but the action, pads - maybe - and maybe the butt. Chopped or shot out barrel so you're going to toss it anyway, put what you want on, it won't be original anyway.

Surprising how often No4(T)s turn up in that state even now.

I must confess that 25 years ago, when there were no L42's to be had, I took a 'spare' original BSA 44 4T receiver & built it up into a L42A1. (In fact, IIRC an armourer friend well known on this forum helped me a great deal with the project!). I would not dream of doing it today, as it would seem a waste of a good 4T body that could otherwise be restored to its former glory, but times were different then & though it may seem blasé to say it now, they were 'ten a penny' at the time.

Times & circumstances change & consequently so do our actions.

ATB

Thank you for all the comments. I read you guys loud and clear. No messing with the L39A1....got it. well, rats....mmmmm.....I guess I should try and focus on looking for a L42 then. Its not that I do not like the L39, I just like the whole "sniper" thing attached to the L42.

So I guess my next question (I hate to ask) but to what value should I place on it for a fairly quick and easy sale? Its a great rifle, my gunsmith friend looked it over and commented that he doubted the thing has been shot more than a dozen times if that. No sights (front or rear) but has the front sight base. Has a post war British Enfield sling and is missing the Parker Hale sling swivel by the magazine. Was drilled for a cheek rest and I purchased a replica to go there. Cannot find any import marks. Thanks in advance.

While they aren't my cup of tea, they are very salable/desired. BUT you need to speak to a specialist. Speak to Brian at BDL in SC. He knows the market but better still, he knows the buyers who want this stuff!