Most expensive L42 A1

[bearhunter]

I've been looking in Canada for an L42 or an Envoy for 35 years. I saw one, a few years back. Way beyond my financial limits. I bit the bullet and opted for an AIA B2 10. It's everything I hoped it would be.

At a show, 5 years ago, I picked up a barrel wrapped in waxed cloth. It had some illegible marks on the outside. When I opened the sleeve, the barrel inside had a heavy profile, was chambered for 7.62x51 and was threaded for a Lee Enfield action. The original length was 26 inches. On the muzzle, is a straight section to mount a sight, .690 od and 1.090 long, the rest of the barrel is tapered to a chamber area which is 1.140 in od. There wasn't a knox on the barrel so I really had no idea what it was from. To make a long story short, I cut the chamber area off enough to get rid of the original chamber and rechambered it to 30-40 Krag, cut new threads and fitted it to a Bisley Works AGP, Martini Action. The steel in that barrel was tough to machine. The reamer was new so that wasn't a problem.

Looking at it, I'm wondering if I didn't screw up an L42 barrel. I've only seen one in real life and don't remember the contours or length of the rifles barrel. If it is, that's probably as close as I'll ever get to owning an L42.

Information

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[xa-coupe]

It's worth what someone will pay for it and $10k AUD is apparently what it's worth!

[Brian Dick]

The L42A1 barrel is 27.5" so you're OK.

[DanL96a1]

I know of an L42A1 which sold for £10,000 (in the UK) but it was very special, and was so original it still had the RM mud on the box, all the bits as well as night sight all the paperwork as well a real operational bit of kit!!!

I think apart from it being a unique bit of kit, it had a good background and could prove it origins from when it was a No.4 (T), through to when it was an L42 being used in the Gulf war in ’91. Once in a lifetime offer for a bit of kit like that!!

[Thunderbox]

I know of an L42A1 which sold for £10,000 (in the UK) but it was very special, and was so original it still had the RM mud on the box, all the bits as well as night sight all the paperwork as well a real operational bit of kit!!!

I think apart from it being a unique bit of kit, it had a good background and could prove it origins from when it was a No.4 (T), through to when it was an L42 being used in the Gulf war in ’91. Once in a lifetime offer for a bit of kit like that!!

Or someone came up with a good story for it.... Not sure that any service records exist for any 4(T) converted to L42 - the only clues would have been discarded along with the original transit chest.

I think there are some people pulling "fast ones" with wealthy-but-ignorant buyers, at least in UK. I've heard about some of the £6k+ ones sold in UK, but also recently witnessed perfectly decent ones changes hands for just over £3k. I'm led to believe by those with the most turnover of rifles - Fultons - that a bare rifle is worth about £1200, a mismatch c.£2.5k, and a full set not much more than £3k.

[Amatikulu]

I see that usedguns.com.au has moved the L42A1 to the military section where it shows as still being available for sale:

http://usedguns.com.au/used_military_rifles.html

[Badger]

I see that usedguns.com.au has moved the L42A1 to the military section where it shows as still being available for sale:

http://usedguns.com.au/used_military_rifles.html

Is it my imagination, or are many of the items on that site way overpriced?

I just noticed a No.4 cut-a-way being advertised for $2,500 !!

Regards,
Doug

[Amatikulu]

I think Australia is a unique market as what they don't have in abundance, they have to import with all the costs associated with that. I happen to know where a few more L42's are sitting, so if anyone can confirm that its sold, hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[PrinzEugen]

I suppose in the UK most of us enfield enthusiasts don't really see L42s come up for sale very often. The rareness means that if dealers do put them up for sale in public then there is a certain element of 'trying it on'. Sometimes an L42 priced at a very expensive sum is sold - whether it's sold at the asking price is very much open to question, but it adds to the 'how much did that go for' debates amongst us chattering classes. I tend to suspect that most rifles pass between the network of dealers and don't often come into the hands of us shooters, instead sitting in a dusty dark gun room somewhere, never to see the light of day on the range.