NOT QUITE A No4T or an L42 but…………..

[Peter Laidler]

Not exactly a Lee Enfield but certainly a worthy successor to the venerable L42A1. Here is a CES of the last days of the trusty old L96 rifle before it was declared obsolete and withdrawn from the UK Military. Some owners of ‘commercial’ or Police versions/variations of the same rifle might find their CES slightly different. Additionally, someone with an earlier ex-army rifle might find that this differs slightly in the content. Several things were added later on in its life as equipment progressed and improved. But this CES shows most of the kit from day one.

Attachment 37853
(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Things to note in the photo above are the several additional close-cell foam pockets or additional recesses cut for additional equipment


Attachment 37854
(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Photo above shows the nylon cleaning rod with slipped over it (in black) is the protector that slips into the bolt-way. Then the cleaning rod slips through the protector and centrally into the chamber and bore. Quite what it protects has always been questioned by Armourers – but there it is! The camouflage pattern item is the breech and telescope cover and underneath it, the standard 3-part screw together cleaning rod. Not visible is the rifle serial number on the rear of the bolt and on the clamp-plate of the telescope bracket (other side). Numbering the clamp plate was authorized because the telescopes weren’t originally numbered to the rifle. The clamp plate could easily (and cheaply) be changed in the Instrument or Armourers shop should the telescope or bracket be changed for any reason.

Also not shown is the fact that while the telescope was a pretty much standard but militarised S&B 6x 42, in the UK Military it was in fact the Telescope Sighting L13A1 and after a Base Workshop repair, this was engraved into the left side


Attachment 37855
(Click PIC to Enlarge)

The above (Muzzle) photo shows several interesting features including at the top, an additional telescope bracket for the later 4x -12x magnification larger diameter L17 telescope. Just visible on the top front is a picatinny dovetail which you could use for a laser rangefinder or…….., well, anything really! The standard cleaning kit contains the wire brushes, allen keys, pullthrough and 4x2 flannelette. Also shown in the pockets is a lens cleaning brush and screwdriver. The spotting telescope is the current KOWA. Well liked now and a VAST improvement on the older SWIFT spotting scopes that were neither wet or dust proof, even when the internal sliding parts were locked in position


Attachment 37856
(Click PIC to Enlarge)

The above photo (butt) a better illustration of the black plastic protector on the cleaning rod. Below the butt spike is the standard L8 rifle sling. These and the chamber cleaning sticks were removed from the old L42 rifle CES prior to their being withdrawn. A later addition is the prismatic compass shown end-on in a tight fitting pocket at the left side. Also visible just below the S&B sight is the rear iron sight. This is clamped onto the 12mm sight rail by an allen screw. To be honest, this sight was flimsy, difficult to read and not soldier proof. It was best left off and tucked away in the cleaning kit box! This CES was well thought out and improved over the life of the rifle. As you can imagine, combining the CES into one chest made it a VERY expensive box of tricks.

The astute among you will/might notice a couple of things. The first is that the butt plate part of the adjustable-for-length butt has been flattened and rounded from its previous concave ‘shoulder’ shape by the sniper because some of them found that the curvature didn’t suit the body armour. I suppose that it’s a bit like adjusting the cheek rest…….. The next point is that for some reason or another, the 8” or so long CWS/night sight bracket is not present. This should be recessed into the closed cell neoprene/foam block just below the trigger to back to the rear of the butt. I have a feeling that these IWS brackets were retained for use with the night sight for the new .338” rifle. Alas, nobody thought to mention that the new rifle was configured for the picatinny rail! Such is life

These rifles are available albeit quite rare so if you do get a chance, get one now, while you can. Enjoy………..

Note: After you click on images to ENLARGE them, you may find they automatically size smaller in your browser's window making them harder to view. The auto sizing is your browser's way of keeping images entirely within the screen size you have set. Move your mouse pointer to the bottom centre of the pic and you will see an options panel appear. There will be a small square box next to the large X, which will have a pointer arrow sticking out of it. If it's illuminated, it means the pic you're viewing can be enlarged, so click on this box and the pic will EXPAND and open to its normal size.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.