L42a1

[scharfschutzen63]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/926918112
I was looking at this listing and the transit chest looks to me like it was made up by someone, bogus.

Information

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[smle addict]

I agree. Case does look off. The external reinforce wood looks too thick, and the interior looks replaced.

I was more concerned that rifle is wearing an L39A1 forend (rear cross-screw, A-prefix 3-digit serial number).

It'll be interesting to see what it brings.

[Roger Payne]

Yes, I would concur about the chest. The labels look like photocopies to me. The very last photo (126) in the montage shows a slightly wavy edge suggesting it was cut out using scissors. The labels also all look too perfect, with no greasy marks or minor tears to the edges. Additionally, all of the original chests that I have seen (& none of us have seen them all, I know) have had nicely executed dovetail jointed corners. This is just straight edge screwed & glued.

Agree also about the incorrect forend. Some Mk2 forends did get fitted later on due to shortages of good original Mk1 woodwork, but they were retro-modified for the tie plate.

I haven't had a chance to check yet to see if the rifle s/n is on 'the list' but the rifle, scope, & bracket look intrinsically ok to me, though I would not want to speculate as to whether the scope & bracket were rematched to the rifle in service or after! I'd certainly have them if they fell into my lap at the right price!!


One other minor thing that I forgot............the bolt body at least has had a coat of suncorite after initial issue as the 19T proof mark on the bolt handle is full of black paint. I suppose that could just as easily have happened in or out of service......


Addendum - just checked & AV3671 is indeed on the list - went out on 7th Feb 1973, which I suppose is compatible with the body wall conversion date of '72.

[skiprat]

nothing on the chest looks good,,, nothing looks like the original, the original corners were finger jointed (1/4" fingers (not dove tail joints)) and the chamber stick,,,, is a stick in a block of wood!! and the scope tin has been repaired and a poor riveting job too,

[Roger Payne]

Sorry, yes, I used the wrong word to describe the joints, they are not fan shaped like dovetails, but parallel 'fingers' as you say. There are a few late chests about that have larger 'fingers' than the norm. There were a few in evidence at Charnwood when the L42's first came in to there from Dince Hill. I liberated one & still have it in my loft somewhere........

Yes, noticed the replacement locating spigots for the scope bracket in the tin. The repair would have looked much better with a gob of green paint over it.

[Lance]

For those interested the rifle/scope appear to be matched together. From my records the original chest sadly I did not record where I saw it (lazy).

[desperatedan]

For those interested the rifle/scope appear to be matched together. From my records the original chest sadly I did not record where I saw it (lazy).

Lance, this chest was one of the ex Faris collecton auctioned by Poulins - you mentioned it in the thread here - https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=62695

[scharfschutzen63]

For those interested the rifle/scope appear to be matched together. From my records the original chest sadly I did not record where I saw it (lazy).

This transit chest is not with the rifle. The one with the rifle is the one that is made up.

[Troglodyte]

The chest that's with that rifle is so far off that it doesn't even seem to be an attempt to deceive. It's just a wooden box made up to house that particular rifle, and then painted green. There's not even a hole to secure the lens brush bottle in, nor a slot for the IWS mount. Even the barcode sticker is wrong. It's just a box.

The sellers either didn't do their homework (meaning they're a sloppy business), or aren't being properly representing what they are selling (meaning they're a dishonest business). But the box is clearly not meant to decieve any buyer who would spend north of $5k on the rifle and scope combo, and those look to be in great shape.

[FlightRN]

The rifle sold for US$7,755.00 with 5 bidders that took it above $5K.