7.62 mm Incremental Headspace Gauges Set.

I've just managed to get my hands on this extensive set of 17 incremental Headspace Gauges. Originally I thought they might of been from Lithgow but the wording on the gauges doesn't match the normal Lithgow markings.

I was wondering if anyone has seen a similar set of gauges and knew who manufactured them? Are they from Paker Hale or some other maker?

Each gauge is marked:-
HEADSPACE
7.62 mm
103-259

Then they are individually marked:-

A 1.628
B 1.629
C 1.630
D 1.631
E 1.632
F 1.6325
G 1.633
H 1.634
I 1.635
J 1.636
K 1.637
L 1.638
M 1.639
N 1.640
O 1.641
P 1.642
Q 1.643


https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...qfb16oa9-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...elimi1yw-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7nc85bzs-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...mq5fxezw-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3sxanh4z-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...jtrjj4n4-1.jpg

Looks like they have never been used! They are still in the wax protective coating! :thup:

The 'Normal' go & no go Gauges for the British L1A1's are: 1.6325 & 1.643. Funny how those gauge sizes stick in your head!.....The same as your regimental number & later in my Case.
My Police Warrant Number!...:D

Tanky,
Bloody numbers everywhere you go in Military and Civvy Police life..............what is worse.......passwords:lol::lol:

Looks like it is the complete set for, well......, everything I can think of. From Unit to Base for all of our kit. Can't add to that

Nice and new too...perfect.

Good acquisition very nice and as you said "BNIB"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gil Boyd

Tanky,
Bloody numbers everywhere you go in Military and Civvy Police life..............what is worse.......passwords:lol::lol:

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I fully concure Gil! Not aided by the fact, that as you grow Older. If you are like Me, & Terminally confused!......:madsmile:

I have this urge to remove the coating on the gauges....... I need to sit on my hands and leave them as is.

I do know of someone that has a box set of the Lithgow incremental Headspace gauges. I need to persuade him into releasing them to me.

It's not an area I have much knowledge in Kevin, but they just have to be a rare set, especially not used and in pristine condition!

I have to confess that I haven't ever seen a complete set. But have seen a complete set of similar 7.62mm/.303" bore gauges.

I'd simply leave them as they are KtK. You already have(?) the gauges relevant to the L1A1 series should you need to check or alter CHS. Plus, with a brand new set, still sealed, you KNOW that they are still in calibration and from that, you are in a position to calibrate other gauges should there ever be any dispute

Leave them sealed up and, if you have a need to examine chambers / headspace to such fine degrees on a regular basis, get a commercial set..

Clymer sold me a nice set of "incremental" gauges years ago and I subsequently coughed up for a similar set in .223Rem / 5.56 x 45.

These not only take the "guesswork" out of evaluating complete rifles, but tell you exactly what is happening when doing chambering jobs.

Update to my last:

The gauge set you need is made by "Forster"' and marketed by the helpful folk at Brownells. 7.62 version contains 9 gauges in increments of 0.001"

ok......., ok....., I won't unwrap the gauges :madsmile:

I don't need to, here's a nice set I managed to do a deal for over the weekend.

A set of 10 Lithgow Small Arms Factory Cartridge Headspace Control Gauges.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...q03um2iz-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...f5gvanr4-1.jpg

Wot...., no 1.643, the reject gauge for the old L1A1. Maybe the factory only allowed up to 1.642

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nzl1a1collector

ok......., ok....., I won't unwrap the gauges

I don't need to, here's a nice set I managed to do a deal for over the weekend.

A set of 10 Lithgow Small Arms Factory Cartridge Headspace Control Gauges.

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Another great find Kevin, well done mate

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Wot...., no 1.643, the reject gauge for the old L1A1. Maybe the factory only allowed up to 1.642

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The Australians had a different set of Specs for their headspace gauges:-

1.6325 inch (ACCEPT)

1.6380 inch (REJECT)

1.6400 inch (CONDEMNING)

The gauges are laid out as above.

From Left to Right:
Original Mk. 1 Gauges.

Modified Mk. 1 Gauge (1.6400). The rims were removed to stop them being damaged when someone leaves the extractor in.

Later 'stepped' gauges I guess they would be called the Mk. 2? Although I haven't found anything official calling them the mark 2 gauge.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...6uqgzzdj-1.jpg

British headspace gauges:-

1.6325 inch (Go)

1.638 inch (Inspectors)

1.643 inch (Reject)

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...at9xz8wo-1.jpg

I liberated the gauge for calibrating our gauges!
I agree with you about the gauge numbering. I don't think that there was a change in the SM number when the 'rimmed' gauges changed to 'rimless' so to speak. It was just a natural progression. The rimmed gauges were OK when used carefully but some idiots would insist on a quick stuff it in the chamber, whack the breech block closed and swiftly eject gauge onto the floor.......... Criminal!

Since we are dealing with headspace gauges, has anyone any knowledge about what was contained in this box? Other than what is listed on the lid. I've never seen SM 121A or SM 757 gauges and I don't have any references to these numbers.

What's interesting is the user states they are for the Rifle 7.62 MM L.1. not L.1.A.1.

Could these be ex Navy? (being a gray box)

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

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

I will drop the 'gauge man', Taffy Txxxxx a line and see what he comes up with.

I think that the L1 rifle part of the designation is just the generic term used by us Armourers as a means of identifying the rifle generally. Like we'd say '...... have you finished the L2's yet.....'.

Talking of L1's and L2's.......... I wonder if anyone has noticed the HELIX ruler. Makers of L2 plastic pistol grips and large batches of the plastic part of the plastic L1A1 handguards