Parker Hale M85 Serial Number Checks & Provenance on Manufacture (Records)

[Gil Boyd]

Nigel,
As these were the only records that survived that I hold from Eddie Taff and Bill Smallwood, I would have to hazard a fairly reliable guess, and I appreciate for histories correctness, that there has to have been more M85's manufactured as it was a very good seller for PH. Had they won the MOD contract which the L96 finally did, with the M85 coming second, we would probably have had a more reliable number because the company probably would have survived!!!

[blurrededge]

Hi Gill,
I may have the chance of acquiring an M85, I'd just like to check if you have any info on it please. the serial No is 00340F

Thanks

[desperatedan]

Hi Gill,
I may have the chance of acquiring an M85, I'd just like to check if you have any info on it please. the serial No is 00340F

Thanks

Without wishing to pre-empt a reply from Gil, if you use the search function here you can find previous info on such things - see post numbers 207 and 208 on this page https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....47454&p=426658

Hope this helps as a start!

[Gil Boyd]

Hi Matt,

Parker Hale M85 rifle Serial number: 00340F was completed on the 17th January 1990 according to PH Ledger entry 313. There was NO scope fitted, it was fitted with GREEN NATO McMillan one piece stock and butt.
On open sights it fired 18.0mm Group at 100 yards with 10 rounds.
Sold to H.Krank........sadly no more details held.
Hope this all helps
Gil

[blurrededge]

Thanks very much for the info Gill, and also to Dan for the heads up on previous posts.

[Gil Boyd]

No worries

[1Turk]

Hi everyone,

Merry Christmas....keep safe.

After years of searching it was my time to purchase my best christmas gift......and I have landed with PHM85 with full kit, Swarovski ZFM 84, carry case, extra mags, bipod and factory accuracy papers...etc..

According to the test target printout dated 14/8/1987, I am assuming that this rifle manufactured around this date, However, it would be nice to know the exact manufacture date and whether the scope I have is the correct one issued from the factory..

Further more, the carry case have few UK Police Forces stickers on it. Has this rifle been issued to the Police?.....

I can see, Gil has been helping out the members with info on these rifle, I would be grateful any info you can share for my rifle too.

Thanks in advance

[Gil Boyd]

Merry Christmas,
A great present to start the New Year off.

Entry 113 PH Ledger.................Parker Hale M85 S/N 00178F was built on the 27th August 1987 mounted in a Green NATO McMillan stock.
It shot a 15.2mm Group @100 yards with 10 rounds, logged as sold "Home Sales UK"
Page 37 Bill Smallwood

Hope that helps
Gil

[1Turk]

Excellent thank you

[Gil Boyd]

The M85 had an illustrious career and would have served in "some" Police Forces, as the Lee Enfield Enforcer dwindled in interest in some of those Forces who had more money to spend.

Nuff said on my views that the M85 should have taken over from the L42A1 as the winner of the Military Trials................but hey!! Get over it ............the L96A1 won the competition!!

In terms of your rifle, there is no scope listed on the register, so one can reliably say or assume it was supplied less scope.