L42A1 1975

[Gil Boyd]

I think you are absolutely right Roger.
Both these rifles have been "manufactured" by an individual.
One has to hope the seller knows very little about L42's and has himself fallen into the trap. All the stencils are incorrect on the metalwork, and other than the Scope being authentic not much else to say!
In good parachuting verbage..........."Steer Clear" is my advice

[30Three]

These posts are excellent info for those of us who are still learning. Thank you gentlemen!

[Gil Boyd]

I have just trawled the ledgers I hold on the legitimate L42's produced and the closest to either rifle is K37636.
So these L42's are pure myth IMHO.

[Roy W]

I have just trawled the ledgers I hold on the legitimate L42's produced and the closest to either rifle is K37636.
So these L42's are pure myth IMHO.

The serial number of the 1975 one shown in post 1 does exist on the Ledger, but it is for a 1971 dated rifle
H38307 Batch no.34 - Converted 16th Oct 1971.

So, either the number on the scope bracket doesn't match the rifle, or they have even fabricated the rifle serial number.

All very odd.

[Gil Boyd]

Roy,
Didn't have time to waste to trawl both numbers on the images shown, but certainly the one I was concentrating on 37638 is not there.

Got my back up when he just mentioned the SAS and the ROYAL MARINES....................no mention of THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT lol

[Roger Payne]

The 1980 rifle isn't a BSA Shirley produced type - if it is a Mk1 body it is probably a Faz., yet the serial number (haven't looked to see if it is on the list - it's academic anyway) is for a BSA Shirley rifle of 1944 mfr.

Now I realise who the seller is I must say I find it hard to accept that he is knowingly behind this. I don't know him well, but I do know him, & I think it is far more likely that he has been sold a pup. He has shown me several unsolicited kindnesses when we have had dealings over the past few years.....

[Gil Boyd]

Roger,
The term "Bag of Nails" comes to mind

[Lee Enfield]

I'll hang fire for a bit........but I made up my mind about it within five seconds! Look at the stated manufacturer & look at the receiver side wall ledge.....

Incidentally, I'm not accusing the seller of anything - he may have bought it in good faith.

Wow,
I looked at the pics last night with my phone and noted that the M47 ect butt socket markings looked wonky - but that kind of takes the cake - fake manufacturer's markings and codes...serial number too!

[GeeRam]

With prices going the way they are, it was only a matter of time before L42's etc started to appear in the "faked to be sold as real" category just like all those K98k sniper's have been for the past 30 odd years.

[Simon P]

They both appear to be Blued / Blacked. I would of thought they would have been finished with Suncorite