L42a1 Trigger Guard Loop Survey

[m4carbine]

Have 2 W/O and 1 with.

[Terry Hawker]

Took a look at my 1971 L42 and see the loop is gone. Out of curiosity, also checked the '69 Envoy, '70 L39 and '73 Enforcer, only to discover they are all without loops as well. In fact, the only 7.62 Lee-Enfield in the collection that still has the loop is a 1943 B.S.A. No. 4 (T) that someone bastardized with a Sterling conversion, but, obviously, that has no bearing on this discussion.

Bit of a coincidence that this subject comes up now, as yesterday, I took the Enforcer I hadn't fired yet, out to the desert to sight in the Pecar. Quickly discovered the truth in Peter's statement... without that loop the sling twisted itself up like it had a mind of its own! Still a blast to shoot though.

Regards,

Terry

[Ian Driver]

L42A1 Loop = No (1971 K38739)

[Badger]

1971 L42A1 Enfield Sniper Rifle Serial #E34262
(Originally a 1944 No.4 Mk1(T) mfg by BSA Shirley)
c/w matched L1A1 scope Serial #25889


(Click PIC to Enlarge)

NO LOOP

Regards,
Badger

[jmoore]

Edited: (Changed ratio at 10:00 EST) Running at 4 (W/O loop) to 1 (With loop) ratio on both posts and over 3 to 1 on the anonymous survey so far! Still, not a huge sampling yet...

-Running totals on Post #1-

[arado]

Running at better than 3 (W/O loop) to 1 (With loop) ratio on both posts and anonymous survey so far! Still, not a huge sampling yet...

-Running totals on Post #1-

screwed up. Mine does not have the loopI thought you meant the sling loop. I better stay with my Fals. The S/n on my L42A1 is x322996. It had to come from stores at Donnington because it hasn't done a damn thing. Still unused. sheepish ... Gary ps. the "x" is real. Now for pictures

[Brian Dick]

I guarantee it's not "unused"! It sure isn't hurt though!

[jmoore]

Back to two again! Doesn't affect survey, but gotta gloat a little...


See post #20-
L42 Photos - Page 2 - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

Some swapping and trading and bunch of stuff sold to get it...Nothing Enfield though.

Now off to bed, working seven days this week!

[DanL96a1]

Brian,

How can you tell that Arado’s L42A1 have been “used”, and not kept in storage “unused” at Donnington? Is there a list of L42’s, which have been used and to what regiments issued too? Reason I’m interested is I have a L42, which was “well kept”. From the marking on the original box, it was a D Coy 3 Queens (later 3 PWRR) and spent most of its life at HQ Coy. Probably as an instructor’s bit of kit, for the ATR Sniper Instructors Courses.

[Brian Dick]

It's just reality. At 1080 total produced, my guess would be that they were ALL used. I'm no expert and I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings. We've guessed that half or more of that number have been scrapped as they were completely worn out. I will also say that the most tired L42 I've owned would shoot so much better than I can that it's not even funny once the scope was serviced and the rifle tuned up. That's irregardless of the wear in the bore, etc. I've had sixty or so since they were first imported in 1993-94, imported more than 50 myself and checked every one thoroughly with correct gauges. I still have a couple of exceptionally nice ones too but they've certainly been used. Just maybe not so much since the last time they were refinished in MoD service. I really don't know of any unused examples anywhere, not even at the Royal Armouries who got the Enfield Pattern Room collection from Nottingham. At least I sure didn't see any new ones there, (Nottingham), during my visit in 1999. Maybe Peter and Roger can elaborate a bit. They've seen more than I over the years. Anything is possible but......