L39 & L42 Barrels - An open offer to forum members

[bigduke6]

Talked "ftf" with a Lothar Walther man today (purely by chance). He indicated that doing a barrel complete with the hammer forged "scale" finish would likely be very cost prohibitive for a short run, as the set up is far more involved than doing a net near shape with a finish turn. Oh, well...

Jmoore, think we have our wires crossed, I was meaning a contour with the standard ground finish, (no snake skin)

Sorry about the duff gen re the TPI Big Duke and others.

Only joking about the Alzheimer's, I cant remember much these days unless I,ve an interest in it, and would say the worst part of giving up smoking was not having a ciggie packet to jott down notes, phone numbers, addresse,s, measurements etc.
Nine years later just seem to have torn and scrap bits of paper in the pockets when I,m at work.

Information

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[jmoore]

Jmoore, think we have our wires crossed, I was meaning a contour with the standard ground finish, (no snake skin)

No, not really. I was just hoping (dreaming) he'd say: "Sure, no problemo! How many do you want? Discount price for ten."

[Brian Dick]

Hi Surpmil,

You're exactly correct. Even the L39A1 is banned from export. The State Dept. caliber policy was put in effect in November 2009 if I remember correctly. I managed a couple to a collector in Canada a year ago and was lucky to get them approved. The Chief of the DDTC made the exception but then told me not to ask again. It's only because the buyer and myself are well known to him that he allowed them to go.

There are supporting documents required. I must have an invoice from the manufacturer to prove that it's new and for commercial use/resale. Many think that the examiners and Chiefs are stupid and ignorant or both. It's simply not the case. I have great respect for the Chief of DDTC, US Dept. of State and many of the examiners. I also have respect for many of the examiners at BATFE Imports Branch. They are doing a job, treat me with respect and I've actually forged a good working relationship with them over many years. Most are retired or former military and some are enthusiasts themselves. I've helped them out a bit in the past. I've been involved in the hopeful retransfer of the M1 Rifles and Carbines from Korea, (it's not over yet), and they help me as much as they can in return.

Brian

---------- Post added at 11:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ----------

Hey Peter, the sun's out! I'll be in the workshop shortly!!

[Surpmil]

Hi Surpmil,

You're exactly correct. Even the L39A1 is banned from export. The State Dept. caliber policy was put in effect in November 2009 if I remember correctly. I managed a couple to a collector in Canada a year ago and was lucky to get them approved. The Chief of the DDTC made the exception but then told me not to ask again. It's only because the buyer and myself are well known to him that he allowed them to go.

There are supporting documents required. I must have an invoice from the manufacturer to prove that it's new and for commercial use/resale. Many think that the examiners and Chiefs are stupid and ignorant or both. It's simply not the case. I have great respect for the Chief of DDTC, US Dept. of State and many of the examiners. I also have respect for many of the examiners at BATFE Imports Branch. They are doing a job, treat me with respect and I've actually forged a good working relationship with them over many years. Most are retired or former military and some are enthusiasts themselves. I've helped them out a bit in the past. I've been involved in the hopeful retransfer of the M1 Rifles and Carbines from Korea, (it's not over yet), and they help me as much as they can in return.

Brian

---------- Post added at 11:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ----------

Hey Peter, the sun's out! I'll be in the workshop shortly!!

Thanks Brian, that's most helpful.

So only new barrels are allowed to be imported?

Or if used barrels are allowed, what are the criteria for admission?

[Peter Laidler]

JM, could the hammer forged finish be simply replicated as a 'finish' as opposed to a manufacturing process. I just can't think of any process or even a requirement for such a finish offhand - unless you can. Just a thought while idling away on a Saturday afternoon

[Brian Dick]

Why not just do the tapered stepped variant? It's every bit as good and a bit harder to find on original rifles.

[Peter Laidler]

I agree entirely Brian. But if it's originality that some want and all that......

[enscien]

The drawings for this barrel, CR 1470, should be available from the Royal Armouries Library at Leeds without too much difficulty or expense. As they pre-date the privatisation of the Royal Ordnance Factories in 1985 they were Government owned and, being over 30 years old, I would imagine they can be made available to the public without copyright problems.
The steel spec was BS970 EN19 AT.

[Brian Dick]

Surpmil, You're correct. New, commercial production barrels are importable. Used, commercial barrels are also importable. All require the previously mentioned invoices and/or documentation. New or used military surplus barrels are not importable under any circumstances except for police or military end users.

Brian

[Surpmil]

Surpmil, You're correct. New, commercial production barrels are importable. Used, commercial barrels are also importable. All require the previously mentioned invoices and/or documentation. New or used military surplus barrels are not importable under any circumstances except for police or military end users.

Brian

Thanks again Brian. And in cases such as the Enfield hammer-forged barrels which were identical for both civilian and military markets what would be the deciding factor?

Although that may be academic since no paperwork can be obtained from a defunct manufacturer of course.

Is this requirement for paperwork for each item not a change of policy from the previous practice (at least in some areas) of setting a policy in regard to all examples of particular types of equipment once their origin and eligibility as a type is determined?