SAS L1A1 (but not really)

[Peter Laidler]

Bayonets were fixed early on, in 1969-70 but not in my time. The powers that be had the practice stopped so far as I know and recall, they weren't even carried. Over to you Gil and tankie for that answer?

Oh, yes...... I see now. But not being a computer teccie I didn't get the clue in the name. Like I said, we didn't have them here except at Shrivenham/Cranfield. As for the increased accuracy when shortened, I accept that our accuracy tests were more scientific in test ranges and laboratories rather than field tests and then only using NATO RG ball ammo.

As a matter of interest and as a bit of an aside to the subject, even the weight differences between the original flash eliminator (the f/e) and the proposed strengthened designs made a difference to the accuracy patterns formed with the control sample rifles. The weight of a redesign had to be very similar to be acceptable otherwise a revamped rearsight had to be considered as part of the package so that........ anyway....... Anyone care to tell us the weights of a bare 5 and 3 fluted f/e?

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.

[Gil Boyd]

Never ever used or were issued bayonets for NI. They may have been to other units in the very very early days, but certainly not our Regiment. Maybe in the days when live rounds were issued out sparingly, and it was more of an aggressive stance to have a bayonet fitted, but by his hand position on the trigger guard, says to me, he "ain't carrying anything in his mag he means to use"

The other key thing noticeable in that photoshop photo, is that we always had the front part of the sling removed from the rifle, and made into a loop and anchored around our wrists. A trend we started, which caught on fairly quickly, as soldiers were dragged away by screaming women and crowds, and their weapon ended up on the wrong side, quite OFTEN

[Gil Boyd]

Good old image as it was originally, and the second one showing the strap around the wrist. One must not forget both sides gave us tea and cakes for the couple of years before it all kicked off, they were really pleased to see us..........then nowt for the next 35 years

[browningautorifle]

Humber pig / Sarsons pickled onion trials

Don't take a glass jar into the Humber pig...

he "ain't carrying anything in his mag he means to use"

Looks like he's carrying a rifle that's much too cumbersome for him, resting on the basic pouch and nothing behind his eyes...

[enbloc8]

The other key thing noticeable in that photoshop photo, is that we always had the front part of the sling removed from the rifle, and made into a loop and anchored around our wrists. A trend we started, which caught on fairly quickly, as soldiers were dragged away by screaming women and crowds, and their weapon ended up on the wrong side, quite OFTEN

Was it always the front end of the sling, or was the back end sometimes used as well? I ask because I have filed away on my computer an obvious publicity photo of some Para troops with a Saracen on a street in NI, and the lead fellow has the *rear* end of the sling detached and looped around his wrist. Was this a common variation, or was one quickly replaced by the other in the field?

[Gil Boyd]

Preference to the user.............but that would present lots of problems to him doing it that way round. It would allow someone intent on separating it from its user, to take it further from his body in that configuration for example, and give them more "dragability" and/or allow the barrel to be turned on him more easily IMHO
Just out of interest, was the Saracen displaying a red cross, as we didn't have any saracens only open Land Rovers no doors or Humber Pigs on lone when we needed them? Reason for asking is it may have been a medic not a PARA!

[enbloc8]

Preference to the user.............but that would present lots of problems to him doing it that way round. It would allow someone intent on separating it from its user, to take it further from his body in that configuration for example, and give them more "dragability" and/or allow the barrel to be turned on him more easily IMHO
Just out of interest, was the Saracen displaying a red cross, as we didn't have any saracens only open Land Rovers no doors or Humber Pigs on lone when we needed them? Reason for asking is it may have been a medic not a PARA!

Thanks for your explanation; that does make sense.

The photo doesn't seem to want to post, so I'm attaching the URL to its Photobucket file. I don't remember where I got it (who knows, maybe a past thread here?); whatever's wrong about the information, I'll gladly correct it!

Para troops with L1A1s and Saracen No Ireland_zpseglem6ig.jpg Photo by enbloc8 | Photobucket