L42 Transit Case - Information

[vintage hunter]

Not doubting your word a bit Pete. What was that good reason for using the short version? Mine, CODFan's and 3or 4 others I've seen photo's of have the wrong ones so I'm curious as to why and how they got there.
If fact I'd just as soon do away with it altogether since you say it's incorrect and replace it with the standard No.4 flush fit guard screw if possible. As long as I own mine it will be used for nothing but hunting and the loop will never be utilized for it's intended purpose so it's more of a hindrance than a help.

[Peter Laidler]

The reason for the shorter shanked screw part was to prevent the sling twisting during use. This was a condition during the development of this sling swivel. It was simply copied from the 30's target rifles and adapted by the SASC sniper trials team/school operating from Bisley early in the war. That's the reason why none (?) of the ex trials snipers should have them if they are truly original (they weren't originally fitted with cheek rests either.........).

To prevent the sling twisting when it's fixed to the trigger guard sling loop, the shorter shank means that the loop will foul on the breech cover loop and it won't twist through 360 degrees.

I know that some will say that '......... well, my No4T/L42 doesn't have the breech cover loop in any case, so what does it matter?'. Well, be that as it may, but I say that it SHOULD have the breech cover loop fixed to the trigger guard. I say this on the basis that there was never a relaxation in any EMER or Small Arms Instructions or Information for Quartermasters or LoC's or ACI's that says that the breech cover loop is redundant (which it was) and can be omitted. And further, if it were a permitted relaxation, the parts list and EMER would have been changed to reflect this fact as would a notification of the fact be issued as a W-N (a workshop note or notification) issued by REME INspectorate. I would also say that if it were a permitted relaxation, why was there a repair standard for replacing the loops?

Anyway, there's the roundabout answer to your Q! I have got my helmet on and await the incoming flak........

[Roger Payne]

Peter, when we bought the big batch of 4T's all those years ago I noticed then that many of the early rifles, including several Savage 1941 & 1942 rifles appeared never to have been fitted with the swivel loop. I think they were officially introduced in 1944 weren't they?

ATB

[Peter Laidler]

I don't recall the exact date DRP but there's a very good chance that those not fitted went off to wherever and never were. And unless the Armourers KNEW that this was an authorised modification or even knew the 'new' part number, they were just used without the TGuard sling loop

[Brian Dick]

I thought that most early No.4T rifles were retrofitted post '44. New production rifles starting in '44 onward had them from the factory.

[Peter Laidler]

Yes, Holland and Holland actually made the trigger guard sling loops on a separate contract.

[Roger Payne]

Clearly most, but not all of them, got retrofitted. I know the provenance of these rifles & I'm pretty sure they were never done. Mind you, I've only seen a few like it.