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  1. #1
    Legacy Member scharfschutzen63's Avatar
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    L96a1

    If I understand correctly, the L96a1 rifle is obsolete. What are the chances these will be disposed of as surplus like other rifles in the past?
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Legacy Member Roy W's Avatar
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    They have already been destroyed

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    Legacy Member suikoden2003's Avatar
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    Most have been cut up and thrown into the ocean. The survivors are rare and most in museums.

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    Advisory Panel Brian Dick's Avatar
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    There were 13 imported by Gunsite in the late 80's or early 90's that were former NI Police rifles but that's the extent except for the odd PM, (I imported one last year). I exported one of the 13 back to the UK in 2005 so there are only 12 that i know of. These are not real Britishicon MoD issue rifles and the serial numbers reflect that. I know of two in civilian hands here in the USAicon and also one real military variant as pictured in Steve Houghton's new book. That happens to be the only one I've ever fired. I'm privileged to know the owner who's a friend of mine for many years.

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    Don't forget the other 12 that were sold from a Police Force in Englandicon to a UK dealer, these also were not MOD rifles.

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    Alas, they were definitely NOT thrown into the sea. That practice ceased many years ago. They were slowly guillotined in 2011/12 after they were withdrawn and reduced to commercial scrap. The obsolete value was £0.00p. There was no interest by foreign government buyers in the remaining stocks. Mind you, there wouldn't be as they were all 25+ years old and no spares had been manufactured for ages. The very last ones, 19 I believe, were withdrawn from the sniper div at Warminster where they were used for basic assessment duties and a couple of inert 'classroom trainers' followed suit

    As a matter of interest, I never heard the L96 called 'The Green Meanie'. by anyone! The only one that I seem to recall that had a well deserved nick-name, used by all, from top to bottom, was 'The General'. The well respected L7 GPMG/MAG-58. It was indeed '.....the General...'

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    Thank you Peter

    Quote Originally Posted by Peter Laidlericon View Post
    Alas, they were definitely NOT thrown into the sea. That practice ceased many years ago. They were slowly guillotined in 2011/12 after they were withdrawn and reduced to commercial scrap. The obsolete value was £0.00p. There was no interest by foreign government buyers in the remaining stocks. Mind you, there wouldn't be as they were all 25+ years old and no spares had been manufactured for ages. The very last ones, 19 I believe, were withdrawn from the sniper div at Warminster where they were used for basic assessment duties and a couple of inert 'classroom trainers' followed suit

    As a matter of interest, I never heard the L96 called 'The Green Meanie'. by anyone! The only one that I seem to recall that had a well deserved nick-name, used by all, from top to bottom, was 'The General'. The well respected L7 GPMG/MAG-58. It was indeed '.....the General...'
    Thanks Peter, never heard of the general and after firing one recently in the US i understand why Lol...............

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    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brian Dickicon View Post
    There were 13 imported by Gunsite in the late 80's or early 90's that were former NI Police rifles but that's the extent except for the odd PM, (I imported one last year). I exported one of the 13 back to the UK in 2005 so there are only 12 that i know of. These are not real Britishicon MoD issue rifles and the serial numbers reflect that. I know of two in civilian hands here in the USAicon and also one real military variant as pictured in Steve Houghton's new book. That happens to be the only one I've ever fired. I'm privileged to know the owner who's a friend of mine for many years.
    I've only ever fired a single example too Brian, it was a pre production example that is/was owned by an ex RM AI employee.

    Lovely to shoot, you just hit what you're looking at, cloverleaf groups with ease ... almost too easy!

    It's made from that rarest of materials, un-obtainium of course, so everyone wants one.

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    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    If previous wartime experiences were anything to go on, the kind of kit that should be put into a war reserve.

    What became of the mounts and scopes?
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

    Much changes, much remains the same.

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