L42A1 question.

[Charlie]

Now that the No.4 T on auction has been picked apart, what about the L42A1 that has been on GunBroker for about three months. GB Item# 366494412. Other than the price and the slightly altered scope mount, what do the experts here see wrong with this kit if anything ?

Information

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[Badger]

I had a quick look in the MKL and found a few things that might help you ….

(Click PIC to Enlarge)


Milsurps Knowledge Library - 1971 L42A1 Enfield Sniper Rifle

Milsurps Knowledge Library - 1973 Rifle 7.62mm L39A1 L42A1 (Illustrated Parts Catalogue)

Milsurps Knowledge Library - From No4 Mk I (T) to L42 AI - Part 1 (by Graeme 'broadarrow303' Barber)

Milsurps Knowledge Library - From No4 Mk I (T) to L42 AI - Part 1 (by Graeme 'broadarrow303' Barber)

Regards,
Doug

[Charlie]

Nothing new there Badger. Asking for personal opinions of what people think about this rifle and the kit.

[Badger]

No problem...

You might get more responses by publishing the link to the auction itself, to make it easier for members to get to and review ..

British L42A1 Sniper Rifle : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com


Regards,
Doug

[jmoore]

It's an L42a1 with lots of goodies. Too bad no photos of the extras, as some are quite desirable in of themselves. But it's an L42 with what must be a mismatched scope and bracket that may or may not fit well. Never mind the cosmetic issues of the massive divot out of the bracket. Or whether the wrist has been cleaned up to "nicely" match the new scope number. (also no photo.) Considering that a fair number of L42a1s were imported into the US without scopes or with non-matching units, it's to be expected.

But if you are asking if it's a fair price? Wait until the auction ends and see! Figure it's worth about 20-30% less than the selling price, normally. Then figure how long it'll take to make up that 20-30%. Or just buy it, shoot it ( or whatever makes you enjoy such things) and be happy!

ETA: Stupidly enough, I think the bracket was altered to move the L1A1/No.32 scope way back! I can see the limited utility in doing so, but given the hit in value, wouldn't want to do such a thing myself to a real bracket.

Having thought that, I'm now wondering if it isn't actually a matched set. The bracket numbering is a little unusual, but no concrete similar style marking spring to mind without doing some digging. Check Badger's links above. I'm headed out to do some prep work on the hunting property and don't need to be be sitting in front of this infernal machine any longer!

[Roger Payne]

I would concur with JM. It is clearly a 'real' L42 but more photo's would have been much better. The style of markings on the bracket look very 'teutonic' to me. I have seen other L42's that were released initially on to the German market that bore this style of letters/number as later additions, but these were stencilled onto the woodwork, not the bracket.

ATB

[FlightRN]

I would concur with JM. It is clearly a 'real' L42 but more photos would have been much better. The style of markings on the bracket looks very 'teutonic' to me. I have seen other L42's that were released initially on to the German market that bore this style of letters/number as later additions, but these were stenciled onto the woodwork, not the bracket.

ATB

Good Day Roger,
It's interesting that you mention a Teutonic look. I saw a fascinating No 4 (T) when I went to the German Army Technical Museum (Die Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung) at Koblenz. What struck me was that the Germans had modified the stock so it was a straight grip and that the scope and mount were repainted in bronze green. A number of pieces in that museum were unique.

I was lucky enough to find one of the rifles that Brian Dick brought back and add it to the collection. It took allot of patience and determination, but I completed its CES some time ago.

Best Regards,
Michael

[Charlie]

The auction write up clearly states that a detailed picture album is available on request. This is what was sent to me when requested.

Picasa Web Albums - Tony Roberts - June 24, 2013

Very detailed pictures. Take a look and tell us what you think. When asked, the seller stated that the scope mount came to him with the rifle as you see it and seems to be well aligned. The cutout was for some el crappo scope that had been mounted in it.

He has stated that if it doesn't sell as a kit he may break it up and sell off all the parts separately. I would think that he could get at least $6k or more that way. The scope and matching tin should go for well over $3k alone. Your thoughts ?

[jmoore]

The auction write up clearly states that a detailed picture album is available on request. This is what was sent to me when requested. Picasa Web Albums - Tony Roberts - June 24, 2013 Very detailed pictures. Take a look and tell us what you think. When asked, the seller stated that the scope mount came to him with the rifle as you see it and seems to be well aligned. The cutout was for some el crappo scope that had been mounted in it. He has stated that if it doesn't sell as a kit he may break it up and sell off all the parts separately. I would think that he could get at least $6k or more that way. The scope and matching tin should go for well over $3k alone. Your thoughts ?

That's helpful! But the "matching S/N" Scout Regiment scope boggles the mind! None of my transit chests have a "SRS" number assigned, IIRC (and have no photos of such). Since they were brought into the US without any accessories AFAIK, it seems rather unlikely that this one would be the exception, esp. as it's misssing some important bits. i.e. this ludicrously expensive little business:



Never mind the night vision bracket or the chamber cleaning stick.

[Peter Laidler]

The GOOD thing about an L42 with a bit of a pigs ear bracket is that, as some of you already know, (and don't tell him that I'm telling you this.......) 50 or so of the very first run of Roger Paynes telescope brackets were fitted to needy L42's being destined for War Reserve stocks*. On that basis, the fact that this example has a bit of a butchered bracket should be of little or no concern because you could easily replace that butchered bracket with another of those very brackets as one becomes available. That it might not be 'original' - then I wouldn't worry about that either because by definition, nor is ANY L42! They're all simply converted hybrids........

Just so long as the new bracket is fitted and collimated correctly as were the replacements, then what's the problem?
*They were set aside but hastily re-issued following a series of mishaps with the ....... Oooops, better not say any more. But alls well that ends well as they say!

Just my 2c's worth