L59a1 dp

[jocle12]

I would be interested in finding a L59A1 or L59A2 but am not sure if there are quite a bit of them to be found in Canada. Would anyone know a good place to start looking for one of these?

Thanks,
Jonathan

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

You would have to advertise for one. They don't command such a following here . You could probably MAKE one easier. Just start with an inexpensive gun and go from there.

[tlvaughn]

Collector's Source in Ontario might be a good starting point. I recall seeing one on their site, but I do not recall how long ago that was. I know Joe Salter has one, but it is in the U.S.

http://www.collectorssource.com/

http://www.joesalter.com/

[limpetmine]

Also SARCO has been known to have them. As far as making one, that may be harder than you think, what with the pantograph required, plus know what serial number range to put on it. I can't imagine faking a dummy rifle, but whatever spins your gears.

[Peter Laidler]

Our L59 rifles retained their original serial numbers. The markings should be easy to reproduce. The original proofs are barred out and the words/letters DRILL RIFLE L59A1 are engraved onto the body side. Any jewellery shop with an engraver should be able to do that

[Peter Laidler]

On second thoughts Jockle, why don't you get your genuine L59 rifle and use as a pattern it to convert, say, 6 or so suitably trash rifles into L59 spec. These rifles seem to be quite rare now but are genuine Lee Enfields and even though they are DP/Training rifles, every collection deserves to have one up there with the best of them.

I never saw an L59 depreciate in price. I seem to recall that there were only 3,500 or so converted. There might have been a secondary batch but it'll have been small

[Beerhunter]

These rifles seem to be quite rare now but are genuine Lee Enfields and even though they are DP/Training rifles, every collection deserves to have one up there with the best of them.

I agree. Any idea where to get one in the UK Peter?

[Peter Laidler]

I don't know where to to get one as I'm not even remotely connected with the trade but you could try EFD or the other traders on this forum. But, here's a little whisper if you're living in the UK. Get one soonest, while they're cheapish, even if it means having it put on your FAC. Because the word has gone out that they will/maybe deemed to be non firearms (as opposed to deacts) by the proof house under the 'there are other means of....' wording. But don't quote me........... But once they're off ticket, they'll go ballistic.

[Badger]

Tangential to the thread, however, for those of you who may have missed it and are interested in the L59A1 DP rifle, here's an old announcement ...

With thanks to Advisory Panel member Peter Laidler, a new article has been added to the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here).

L59A1 DP Rifle (by Peter Laidler) (click here)

As Peter says …. "Putting my old teaching hat on and remembering the phrase that one picture describes a thousand words, here are a series of pictures showing the important points of what one of these mysterious ‘rifles’ embodies."

Article Extract .....

That was a timely picture by tlvaughn (click here) of his selection of No4 rifles which included a shot of an official No4 DP rifle, known to us in the UK Military as the RIFLE, DRILL PURPOSE, L59A1. I expect that some of the wild and untamed colonials and antipodeans among the forumers have been at their wits end trying to decipher what we unwashed Brits have been chuntering on about during our recent discussions about an Enfield Rifle that is incapable of firing anything, but is still a rifle…….called ‘……..an L59!’ The L59 was a downgraded rifle converted to a non firing, totally inert rifle for training use with Cadets (and not only Cadets I should add). Incidentally, numerically this is the last Lee Enfield. While there were 6 L59A2's, that should be looked upon as a sample run. That fact makes a genuine L59 a cheap but important item in any collection of Lee Enfields. …...

The left side of a typical L59A1 Drill Rifle. Notice the distinct, wide white bands on the butt and fore-end/handguard. This particular rifle had a blunted/rounded tip DP marked bayonet fitted too. There doesn’t appear to be any official EMER reference to DP No4 bayonets in the relevant EMER SA&MG V150 but this bayonet bears a label with the distinct red ‘S’ for serviceable which is lined through and now reads ‘…to EMER DP spec’. On the basis that if it is DP, it cannot be truly serviceable.


(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Doug[/size]

[breakeyp]

For what it is worth, the only batch of L59s to enter the US, that I am aware of, is the ones brought in by Navy Arms when they imported the L39 and L42s. I was in the warehouse picking out two and was told that Val had sold all remaining L59s to a military school. That may explain why we don't see them that often. The only one I have seen for sale was two years ago and he wanted close to $400 if I remember. I remember thinking he was crazy at the time.