Sight, tele, L1A1 Serial Number 26151

[Gil Boyd]

OK, not going off the thread, but referring to an earlier entry by Peter has anybody got: 26144 L1A1
One has to assume it had wood changed and the sights changed along the way and probably accounts for the war damage to the rifle, between original issue and the Falklands war and its war damage, Peter servicing a different sight on the rifle and me buying it.

[Peter Laidler]

Closest I have seen
23154: 23148 and 23158
20147: 20137. There are a lot of ex Indian Army telescopes around these serial numbers

[Gil Boyd]

Peter,
Has 23154 gone through your hands for a referb, and the one that needed and erector cell you mentioned earlier??

[Peter Laidler]

23154, No

[DanL96a1]

Going slightly off thread I have an L42A1 V32806, the serial number on the original rifle butt is telescope 25394 to which it was originally paired. When I removed the butt, it showed another rifle number of 39703. At some point in its life the woodwork, had been changed due to “battle damage” or just mechanical fault.

Interestingly I found years later that the V32806 scope mount had been found on another L42A1 rifle X32306 now supporting scope 23791, which originally had 18864 or 18738. Maybe it got mixed up at some point during refurbishment as the rifle numbers where very close, I don’t honestly know. But it dose show that these where “working rifles” and the main point was to keep them in the field putting round holes in square heads.


Later on in V32806 life it had been again refurbished, and put back into working order to the same very high standards of workmanship to when it started out life. It now being paired with 21861, it shoots very well and continues the tradition of putting round holes in square heads.

[Peter Laidler]

Bit of history for those.....
25394: Repaired 1995 and 2004 Resides in the USA
23791: Repaired from awful, 2004. Ocular cell from 23398 inside. Now in the US
18738: No trace. Closest 18735 which is fitted to OC109 (tin marked OC 296)
18864: In a whole batch of Indian telescopes
21861: Ex No71 type tank tele with crosshair reticle. To Mk3 spec in early 80's as spare for L42 programme. Conv to L1A1 spec 2007

[CINDERS]

Hi Peter or any other forum members who can assist,
Can you reference this in your records to see that the T I have is original still from when it was made up.

Scope 32 Mk III A K & S Serial - 16684 1944 on scope

Rifle BSA 1944 No 4 Serial F 38752

Butt stamped S 51

Thanks

[Peter Laidler]

Rifle 38752 was originally fitted with telescope 16684. You clearly don't have the little Armourers perspective book do you? Read it?

[CINDERS]

You know what guys I typed up a huge response to this but I deleted it lest I really get fried by the Moderators as time and again I have seen this type of response from the above member slip through and we the ones who just ask a pretty standard questions get belittling answers and insults so I will let the above reply speak for itself ? Peter we are not at war.....!

And yes Peter I have a signed copy of your book from Skennerton who really is a nice bloke.

[Gil Boyd]

We Paratroopers do have an aggressive streak in us I'm afraid, comes with having partial brain removal to jump out of serviceable aircraft at great heights for a living, and it never ever leaves you. Sometimes, the way it is phrased on a computer can sound a tad aggressive, but I am sure it was a quick response from someone who is extremely busy and I have to say, I wouldn't want to have to answer every single PM and thread each day on here. There just isn't enough time in the day for that, but he manages it somehow!!!
Happy New Year