Commercially Retailed L96A1 Rifle

[Brian B]

Having spoken with Steve he told me that the 12 previous serials are Irish contract rifles. So yours fit perfectly in. And of course is in Police configuration.


@Brian Dick: yeah, but all of the rifles you had mentioned were Police rifles, therefore not commercial! So I still claim that mine is the first commercially sold L96A1 rifle ever made

Thanks for the additional information. Is "Steve" Steve Houghton?

I wonder if your barrel is original to the rifle?

[Brian Dick]

Maybe the first commercial sale in Europe? It's all in the serial numbers. Police or military. Imagine the MoD rifles that got the gas axe? Sad.

[Roy W]

I had a 91 dated rifle, identical to the one in the original post, complete with the single chamber muzzle brake.The barrel would appear to have been correct for the time

Mine now resides in the US

[mrclark303]

Excellent catch Georg! One incredibly rare rifle...

[Promo]

I was lucky enough to acquire one of the 13 Irish police issue rifles that Brian references above. It appears to be a twin to your rifle Promo. It is 90 PM 0697 A and has identical markings as yours.

Would you elaborate whether the markings on your rifle are stamped within a recess?

Is "Steve" Steve Houghton?

Yes.

[Brian B]

Hi Promo,

The markings on my rifle are NOT stamped within a recess. Thanks for the clarification on "Steve".

Brian B

[Promo]

I‘d btw highly appreciate if you would do a thread on your Irish contract rifle with pictures since I‘d love to see it, and I‘m sure much more others would enjoy seeing it themselves.

[Micheal Doyne]

What happened to the Irish contract rifles? Is there a chance of them coming onto the private market one day or are they headed for distraction at the end of their army careers?

[Strangely Brown]

What happened to the Irish contract rifles? Is there a chance of them coming onto the private market one day or are they headed for distraction at the end of their army careers?

I did some research in 2004 regarding what Lee Enfield's the Garda owned; it appears they took in some 53 No.4's during the 1950's & early 60's but then destroyed a quantity in 1978 for fear of attack on their armoury by PIRA. I believe from some accounts gleamed from the IDF these were dumped at sea!
They also sold a quantity to a UK dealer in 1982; I did wonder if this was to Armalon?

It begs the question; did Ireland sign up to that UN clause to destroy surplus weapons rather than sell them abroad?

[Roy W]

I did some research in 2004 regarding what Lee Enfield's the Garda owned; it appears they took in some 53 No.4's during the 1950's & early 60's but then destroyed a quantity in 1978 for fear of attack on their armoury by PIRA. I believe from some accounts gleamed from the IDF these were dumped at sea!
They also sold a quantity to a UK dealer in 1982; I did wonder if this was to Armalon?

It begs the question; did Ireland sign up to that UN clause to destroy surplus weapons rather than sell them abroad?

Mick

I understand the UN agreement is for military weapons, not Police.

British Police adhere to what was ACPO guidance (Now National Police Chief's Council - NPCC) which says police firearms should be destroyed when no longer used.

As we know, this hasn't always been adhered to and it is guidance, not law.

I would imagine the Garda have their own rules.