Parker Hale M85 Serial Number Checks & Provenance on Manufacture (Records)

[Gil Boyd]

No Picture attached

[deckerhead]

ok I will try again ?

[Gil Boyd]

M85/86 and M87 had a C at the end of the number, however, they were all preceded by a 0, for instance M87 01791C part of the Canadian order.
Could it be a SPORTER as they had for instance 13991C as their numbers?
I have checked the whole records and the 13991C is the closest I can find, the rest are all preceded by a 0.
The stamp however, is PH, so very strange and the reason I mentioned it may have started out as a PH Sporter rifle.

[Lee Enfield]

M85/86 and M87 had a C at the end of the number, however, they were all preceded by a 0, for instance M87 01791C part of the Canadian order.
Could it be a SPORTER as they had for instance 13991C as their numbers?
I have checked the whole records and the 13991C is the closest I can find, the rest are all preceded by a 0.
The stamp however, is PH, so very strange and the reason I mentioned it may have started out as a PH Sporter rifle.

His rifle definately started as a sporter

[deckerhead]

His rifle definately started as a sporter

So its a Sporter ?

[Lee Enfield]

So its a Sporter ?

Yes, your rifle started as a hunting rifle and has been converted into a target rifle using a heavy 308 barrel, C3 stock and C3a1 magazine.

It was an easy conversion as it already utilized the c3a1 / Parker Hale "Super Clip" magazine system and bottom metal.

[Gil Boyd]

Yes, your rifle started as a hunting rifle and has been converted into a target rifle using a heavy 308 barrel, C3 stock and C3a1 magazine.

It was an easy conversion as it already utilized the c3a1 / Parker Hale "Super Clip" magazine system and bottom metal.

Deckerhead,
Have to agree with Lee Enfield on this occasion. These "made up" PH rifles are sometimes very difficult to conclusively identify. Its only a combination of lots of similar identifiable parts that assist us. M85/86/87 & 1200TX's have been chopped and changed so often even the PH engineers haven't got a clue what they are looking at via photos most times.
I am assuming you have spoken to the previous owner as to where he acquired the bits from, to help you, as he may be the one who acquired them?
If it shoots well enjoy it.

[deckerhead]

Deckerhead,
Have to agree with Lee Enfield on this occasion. These "made up" PH rifles are sometimes very difficult to conclusively identify. Its only a combination of lots of similar identifiable parts that assist us. M85/86/87 & 1200TX's have been chopped and changed so often even the PH engineers haven't got a clue what they are looking at via photos most times.
I am assuming you have spoken to the previous owner as to where he acquired the bits from, to help you, as he may be the one who acquired them?
If it shoots well enjoy it.

Thanks for the help Gents. The previous owner bought it this way and had no build info, just lost interest I guess ? Yes I love this rifle and in my opinion its one of the nicest C3 clone builds I have seen. Original glass is impossible to get here , so I decided on a 10X42 SWFA Super Sniper with Burris 20moa rings (nice clean classic look). Should have it in about ten days. Will post pics.

[bcd8238]

Hi Gents, I acquired this one several years ago and have no idea which model it is. It looked good and spoke to me so I parted with $450 AUD for it. I've searched the web and found many variants, of which, none appear the same. I hope you can see enough detail in the pictures, if not, I can take some more. The rifle is a single shot and is chambered in 7.62 NATO, proofed to 20 tons, as is the bolt. The serial number is J1130 and 130 is electropencilled on the underside on the bolt shroud. The LHS lug on the bolt is very much longer than a standard Mauser. The receiver top had nothing stamped in it and has had a skim taken off to level it out. The drillings for the base mount are not evenly spaced with the front holes being further apart. The holes are tapped for 6 x 48 screws. I have the original rear peep sight for it. The barrel has been replaced at some time and has the markings "The G M Ayling Target Rifle" Mr Geoff Ayling was a Tasmanian Shooter of some repute, shooting in Commonwealth Games and the winner of the Royal Kalternberg Cup in 1980. The stock has had the bedding removed to be replaced and you can see the outline of the cutout for the magazine well. There is a stamping in the barrel channel "EFS" Any ideas on this? I would really appreciate any information on this rifle.

[desperatedan]

From the flats on the top of the action it looks like you have an M84 which was a single shot target rifle. The stock would also have been used on the M82/C3 sniper rifle hence the marks for the cut-out for the four round internal magazine .