Sight, tele, L1A1 Serial Number 26151

[Peter Laidler]

Can they be tracked......... In a word, NO. That's because once the weapon or anything else, even a tank is ISSUED from Ordnance, then it's issued and their concern ends THERE and their paper trail ends at the point where it's recieved by the unit and the AF G-1028 (or sometimes an AF G-1018) is returned to Ordnance by the unit endorsed with the unit R&I voucher (AF G-1033).

Thereafter the unit Quartermaster is responsible. Ordnance do not keep any records beyond this. Although I was told that they keep their paper trail for 3 years just to cover any discrepancies. If it's returned to Ordnance after being condemned or ZF for example, then the unit does pretty much the same but this time an AF G-1943 is sent to Ordnance with the bit of kit (it's a classified courier nowadays) and when the new stuff arrives.............. and the same palava follows and the QM writes the kit off his books using the 1043 number plus the Ordnance receipt.......... But the QM definatelt DOES keep the old paperwork but ONLY for 3 years BUT only for classified or V&A stores. Stuff that they call expense stores are just that...... expense!. After that they have a big paperwork bonfire. At Warminster it used to go down to the boiler room to keep the camp warm!

Those such as Skippy and BP et al will still recognise some of these old but VERY useful forms. VERY useful if you a) have some and b) know how to use them properly. Mind you, some naughty rascals have been known to misuse them

So all those that SAY they know how to trace the kit, well;, they were in a different Army to me. For purely personal reasons that always stood me in good stead and to great advantage, I learned the QM system down to a fine art after being involved in the 'loss' of a Browning M1919/L3.

There, in another of those roundabout ways that so annoy others out there in forumland, has that answered the question..................?