Sight, tele, L1A1 Serial Number 26151

[Roger Payne]

It's certainly a useful guide but be careful not to interpret it too prescriptively. A genuine L42 may have had it's 19T bolt head replaced by a non-engraved but perfectly fitting example in civilian ownership; a genuine rifle might be encountered occasionally with a machined pattern butt swivel - just a couple of examples. Also, PH were by no means the only suppliers of foresight protectors - many 4T's bore Singer manufactured examples (eg SM42, SM43, N67) & unless they were unserviceable they probably continued to 'wear them' in L42 guise.

Please don't think I'm criticising - just saying use lists such as this as a guide, but don't jump to too many conclusions if one particular detail isn't quite as your list says it should be - ask on the forum if possible, as someone will certainly be able to help. None of us want to be caught out by a fake, but, ironically, I find myself giving opinions to people increasingly frequently of late, where they suspect fakery in a perfectly correct rifle.

Just my tuppence worth.

ATB.

[Peter Laidler]

Wise words there DRP. VERY wise words.....

[Gil Boyd]

Roger,

Agree totally with that, which in fact was one reason why I knocked it up for my own references, but thought it useful for others considering the same path in purchasing what is fast becoming an expensive rifle.

As stated earlier on the thread, it does appear on occasions that those charged with stamping these rifles, (and there weren't that many in comparison to the thousands produced in the wider Lee Enfield family) seemed to stamp willy nilly on occasions, which is why we are where we are in trying to have a cohesive, but flexible list to identify wrong ones!!!
What I have listed is available in wider speak, on many forums, and even some of those have it wrong, so it is good to bounce it off a group of people that are passionate about authenticity.

If we are to use the adage "Buy the rifle not the history" one has to know what to look for in my book anyway.

[PrinzEugen]

Interesting words from DRP - and I tend to agree. Surely there'd be far more fake rifles posted on here if there were so many in circulation. To produce a genuinely semi convincing fake is incredible difficult and I reckon it's far less widespread than people seem to believe. I would think most of the fakery surrounds the 'all matching' rifles - based on genuine equipment. Far and away most threads here asking 'is this a fake' are met with the answer 'no'. There are a lot of 4T rifle actions around which seem to have had new wood furniture - but they aren't fake. There were a few examples of people trying to pass off the repro scopes as genuine, but in most cases this was spotted, and I haven't seen it happen for some time now.

[Simon]

As the thread has been successfully diverted onto a completely different track I'd like to steer it back onto it's original course.

I'd be interested to know how long ago the scope passed over you work bench please Peter? I realise this might be a daft question and I'm sure you would have noticed but could it have still been marked as a 32 MkIII but had metric turrets?

Simon.

[Gil Boyd]

Simon,
Apologies old chap, my fault entirely, I'll get out of the Signal Box now

Moderators........is it possible to remove the L42 list to another part of the site please with the comments related to nit, so those that want to comment further on what they find on their L42's or anything helpful to others who want to buy one, can go under one banner as it could interfere with the original post about a scope, if others post hereafter

Thanks Merry Christmas

[Peter Laidler]

26144 L1A1, fitted to L42 AF 0965 Scots Gds. I have erector cell!
26150 Repaired by me for xxx, 4/08. On a fake bracket numbered 37291
26151 Fitted to No4T AR1018
26153 L1A1 on L42 X32315 Mob Stores Thatcham
26159 MINE,

With respect Siomon, you might have read a couple of days ago that my computer had gone down. As a result I wasn't able to get into my database.

Here is what is recorded against 26151 and a few of its close brethren

[Simon]

Apologies Peter, I must Have missed that. I'm on my way to look at the rifle in question so will report on it later.

[Simon]

Well I've now seen the rifle in the flesh and kind of hoped that the scope number noted was a typo / reading error!

Have to say I'm now baffled as the woodwork doesn't look to have been replaced and the serial number 26151 is clearly stamped on the wrist and is also recorded in chalk on the inside lid of the transit chest.

Answers / opinions / theories on a post card please??????

[Peter Laidler]

Surely, the REAL question must be then what caused you to have doubts and ask the question in the first instance. Something MUST have clicked somewhere that prompted you to ask. You say that you have seen the rifle....., and the chest.......... But have you seen the scope?

Who has No4T AR -1018?