L42A1 with unusual fore end?

[DanL96a1]

RobD I am no expert but I have an unhealthy interest in the L42’s, and this had led me to look at a fair few. I feel that the rifle looks ok and original as well as the metal work; I feel that the scope looks ok as well and I would tend to feel that the rifle butt is correct (although probley not an S51 butt).
I agree with PL the Mk.2 fore end looks, to have been added later and not in service. IF I were you then I would get hold of an Mk.1 walnut fore end, and FIT it to the RIFLE (as shown in PL article). This with lots of hard work and linseed oil, will put money back into your investment and more importantly leave this rifle working for another generation to admire. Excellent find I hope putting the old girl back to her form glory goes well.
PS. I at the moment am doing some research into the L42’s Transit chests, if you would be so kind to publish some more photo’s that would very much appreciated.
DanL96a1

[Peter Laidler]

The chest was developed from the basic design submitted by a bloke called WO2 Steve Stevens of the SASC who set out the design following his ideas on the RM sniping wing at Lympstone. He wanted a tight chest that had a bit more room for everything that the sniper wanted. A quick mock-up was made at the carpenters shop by the chippie called 'John' (nobody remembers his second name but I'm trying to find out........). It was approved and put out to tender.

[RobD]

Well, I am hugely relieved that the basic rifle has withstood your collective scrutiny. I will certainly try to sort out the for-end in due course, first I'll see how it shoots.
Any comments on the pattern of the sling swivel on the trigger guard front screw? It is not the same as the 4T swivel; it has the EFD monogrammes (as also seen on the side of the receiver in front of 71) but no broad arrow.
Beerhunter: yes, about concentrating on South African collecting ... you are right, I hate myself for this. But this one followed me home.

[DanL96a1]

RobD, This link might help you with pictures of L42's sling swivel

L42a1 Trigger Guard Loop Survey

[Beerhunter]

Beerhunter: yes, about concentrating on South African collecting ... you are right, I hate myself for this. But this one followed me home.

I hope that it follows you to Short Siberia very soon. It looks jolly good to me. (BTW, I have some spare RG 7.62 that needs a new home.)

[Roger Payne]

Rob,
I suspect your swivel is probably a post-war job made for the No8 rifle. Peter will no doubt correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe as far as the army is concerned it is the same part as the original wartime version, but they are readily identifiable by the EFD mark & by the fact that they are a little larger & more angular than the WW2 produced examples....

FWIW I concur with the others......correct rifle in which the last digit of the originally engraved number (7) is still visible behind the re-stamped number, giving an apparent extra digit.
If you need a good used walnut forend to router out then let me know......

ATB

[jmoore]

RobD, I took the liberty of adding your lack of trigger guard loop to the survey, and made a link back to this thread in the "L42 Photos" thread as well. So, don't lose those pictures! Or add 'em on the other thread.

L42 Photos

[RobD]

Hello Peter

You ask "Can I have the details of the previous rifle/tele in the chest, visible under the felt pen scrawl"..

It's probably (difficult to be certain):
Ser No 31625
Sight No 27999
T/Sight No 12699

[Peter Laidler]

Thought it was and just needed clarification. Unusual in that it was an L1A2 tele sight that I thought that I'd come across and made a note of before. L1A2's made from converted No32 Mk2/1's.

I wonder who owns rifle 31625 now and whether it still has Mk2/1-L1A2 12699

[Brian Dick]

I have a couple of spare L42 forends here if in need. They are both only fitted but never numbered or marked in any way. They are also both converted from Mk.2 back to Mk.1 specification. Contact me in my shop for details at bdlltd@bellsouth.net. Brian