Interesting long branch

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Has anyone ever seen the original factory "instructions / specifications for the J5550?

It seems that almost none of them are to a precisely set pattern, as if the project were a serial design exercise, rather than a straight-up attempt to get something into the hands of the troops as soon as possible.

My first impression on getting my sticky paws on one was: "Cute and light", promptly followed by: Could be "interesting to shoot, recoil-wise" and then; There's not much wood in the wrist of the stock: not good for "butt-stroking" the enemy when it all gets up close and personal. Never mind the time-honoured use of the service rifle as a "hoist"; used by two beefy diggers to assist their mates over the wall on the obstacle course.

In an alternate universe, a .280-30 version might have been interesting, apart from the toothpick stock.