Long Branch L42A1 Transit Chest

[limpetmine]

Brian, this is an interesting post. You might recall the Long Branch sniper you restocked for me is one digit off of this L-42 conversion. One wonders what the chances of that is.
Hope you have been well.

Edit, from my collection of serial numbers, I agree that the 50 is a valid serial number.

[Valleysniper]

Thanks for the input.

I was aware before my original posting that L42A1 rifle 30L0027 was on the list with multiple asterisk alongside entry suggesting something amiss as discussed with Dr R P prior to posting the transit chest images. What with the rifle No 50L0027 on the chest albeit on aged masking tape or similar I thought that the L42A1 list perhaps should show 50L0027 instead.

Now thanks to Limpetmine perhaps we are closer to confirming what the true number is? Perhaps he could be persuaded to post some pictures of his L42A1.

Peter if the sniper who was issued with the rifle and accessories and whom you would expect to have 20/20 vision and be at one with his issued equipment realised rifle number and or scope bracket didn’t match chest markings, what steps would/should he take to report fact and get rectified? Was it a simple matter of paint out and mask off old erroneous markings on chest apply new and say no more to avoid unwanted paperwork? I wonder what other marking is under masking tape and further paint finish in that area.

[newcastle]

Quick chest question - What is the thickness of teh wood for these? and is it the same for the wooden bands which go round it and which it stands on that are about 1 1/2 inches wide?

[Lee Enfield]

Valleysniper, limpetmines rifle is still a No4T.
From known serial numbers on my list I have estimated @25+ rifles in that range.

[Valleysniper]

[QUOTE=Lee Enfield;255431]Valleysniper, limpetmines rifle is still a No4T.
From known serial numbers on my list I have estimated @25+ rifles in that range.[/QUOTE

Apologies when I had private PM from Limpetmine thought he was implying had an L42A1 and not 4 (T).

[Peter Laidler]

The serial number on the lid of the chest wouldn't have made much difference to the sniper but if the rifle was stored in the chest while in the armoury, as many were, then the Arms storeman would simple paint-out the old number and paint in the new one. The important number was the master number on the rifle body

[limpetmine]

Sorry about that confusion Valleysniper. I was speaking of my L42 chest. The 50L (T)* that I own is still a No. 4. I wish my L-42 was a Long Branch!
Alas, it is not. But it is a Brian Dick import and a fine rifle it is.

[newcastle]

Just posing teh quetsion again. what are the L42 chests made from. The No.4T were pitch pine i beleive but the L42 ones seem to be more sort of erm. plywoody. Is that right?

[Peter Laidler]

Marine ply. By a couple of makers including Remploy from Blackburn(?) as I seem to remember and another offshoot at Papworth in Cambridgeshire

[newcastle]

Thanks peter,. Is the thickness of the actual case the same a s the thickness of the wooden bands which are around it which the case woud rest on / stand on.