L39 owners weekend reading............

[Brian B]

Good for you. Glad you were able to land that one. It was a nice looking rifle, and I though long and hard about bidding on it. Had to pass. Wonder how many XL's are in the US? Can't be many. Where did I read they made 50 of the XL's? Is that right?

I would be curious to know just how many XLs were made. I hadn't seen one before and I was suspect of the one I purchased. One of our resident forum members helped me to authenticate it prior to purchase. I am very pleased with the rifle. I paid more than I wanted to, but I wanted it bad!!

Brian

[Brian Dick]

The figure I've heard is 200. I have sn. A158.

[Brian Dick]

That's a production guesstimate from many years ago. Navy Arms imported some to the USA back in the early 1990's. I imported a small handful a few years ago before BATFE shut me down as it's not on the U.S. Curio and Relic list. I'm going to pursue getting it added properly but have some leg work to do and haven't found the time yet.

[Brian B]

That's a production guesstimate from many years ago. Navy Arms imported some to the USA back in the early 1990's. I imported a small handful a few years ago before BATFE shut me down as it's not on the U.S. Curio and Relic list. I'm going to pursue getting it added properly but have some leg work to do and haven't found the time yet.

Brian,

Thank you for the information. Mine is A121. I am dying to shoot a bunch of these new acquistions. Busy, plus weather hasn't been the best. Lots of rain.

Brian

[harry mac]

We've seen an L39 (above) with a 00 bolthead and also above, an L39 built using an used Mk2 body (also above - note the cut-off block). But does anyone have an L39 based on a Mk1/2 body?

I'm pretty sure my own L39 is based on a Mk1/2 body. The left side of the butt socket still has a Maltby monogram and a 1942 date visible.
As far as I've been able to ascertain it is a genuine L39A1.

[Strangely Brown]

I wonder if we can establish whether RSAF Enfield used MkII recievers first and then switched to the "older stuff" (Mk1/2) that was left on the shelfs?

One of mine (A1025) shows signs of an earlier life like Harry's.

[Peter Laidler]

I'd be interested to know if your was in fact a Mk1/2 bodied L39 Harry. I ask this because the original 70's era Armourers notes that came out about these told us that they were all 'new build' manufactured on new (but old stock) No4 Mk2 bodies.

However the notes that I refer to earlier states quite clearly that the L39 was converted from the Mk1/2 as well.

Has anyone else got a Mk2/1 converted L39?

Just thinking about it logically, I would imagine that Enfield would have got through the new old stock Mk2 bodies first and were then relegated to getting into Mk2/1 bodies.

There were definately over 1,000 new bodies because Enfield did consider using these bodies to 'new build' L42's. The price, small quantity, logistics and skills that were no longer available made it a non starter

[Strangely Brown]

These are some images of one of my L39's; can anybody identify what the previous circle mark might be on the reciever, also there appears to be what's left of a Fazackerley "electric pencil" broad arrow near the serial number, which incidently is A1025, quite late in L39A1 terms.

[PrinzEugen]

Mine's got a similar circle mark of the receiver too Strangely and I'd be interested to know what it is as well.

[Strangely Brown]

I bet no-one out there has an L39 with the number A498, but it would be interesting to be able to prove one way or the other.

This was Simons reply from the sticky thread regarding the destinations that L39's & L42's ended up at.

It's also worth noting what Thunderbox said in an earlier post regarding just how scarce the Envoy is, expect in Southern England that is!

"The highest recoded envoy serial number is No 526 which is shown as being sent to Bisley although no date of despatch is recorded.

Rifle A498 (L39A1) was sent to store at Donnington on the 1st May 1970.

Cheers,
Simon."

My bold.