X8E1 (BR) DRILL RIFLE (L38A1) a reply to Mr Laidler

[skiprat]

Further to Peter Laidlers question in the FN Trials magazine marked X2 E1 thread. " Did the UK DP any of their FN stockpiles afterwards."

I picked up an "old spec" deactivated FN FAL at Beltring a couple of Years ago. Looking closer it is stamped X8E1 (BR) this has been barred out and engraved DRILL RIFLE. 7.62 MM L38A1 and is stamped DP after the serial number 0170.
no part of the weapon has been sectionalised, apart from the lower section of the barrel has been cut out, as part of the convertion to Drill purpose.
I am now trying to find or manufacture the missing parts to return this rare weapon back to its original X8 condition.

Andy

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Keep us info'ed in that, I for one want to see the pics when it's even nearly done!

[nzl1a1collector]

X8E1 Trials Rifle


Here's a converted X8E5 to a L26A1 Sectionalised Rifle



Good luck in trying to rebuild the rifle back to the way it was, there are american's that try building 'Clones' and it costs them $1000's.

[skiprat]

The main parts I need to rebuild it are the wood pistol grip and butt.
I have some early wood hand guards for the L1A1 stamped late 50’s or early 60’s (not truly accurate but close enough for government work….)
I have seen many different types of butt for the X8’s they differ where it joins the trigger mech. housing,
some overlap the housing, others are just a flush fit. I am thinking I will have to either make a whole new butt .. or .. convert an existing wooden butt like the Rhodesian R1.

Other small parts missing are .. trigger guard, fore sight, metal work for the butt and pistol grip, straight carrying handle and probably the hardest to find.. the sliding “latch” on the side of the cocking handle. (I think its another thing that will have to be made from scratch)

even after all that I should have an old spec. deactivated X8E1 for less than an Old spec. deactivated L1A1

[Peter Laidler]

What an amazing find. I was involved in drawing up the DP spec and slightly in the DP-ing the L1A1 and some catured FN's but never saw a DP UK FN trials rifle. Plenty of SKN's though........

[Peter Laidler]

Skippy, can't find the PM space on this new fangled whatsits but had a through my boxes of parts and found a UK FN left handguard. Used and amazingly, from a DP no less. Yours for the postage and an address!

The wood pistol grip should be a doddle.........

Regards, Peter

[Badger]

Skippy, can't find the PM space on this new fangled whatsits but had a through my boxes of parts and found a UK FN left handguard.

Peter ...

With thanks to the site developer (Joe), the PM (Private Message) button has been added to the bottom bar, just for you ...

In this new scheme, it's actually been moved to the user profile. Click on the user name in the box to the left of the post and it will open up, showing you a bunch of options you can do with that member, one of which is PM (Private Message).

So, now everyone has two places they can select to send the member a PM...

Thanks for reminding us about how convenient having the button on that post bar itself was Peter ...

Regards,
Badger

[harry mac]

What an amazing find. I was involved in drawing up the DP spec and slightly in the DP-ing the L1A1 and some catured FN's but never saw a DP UK FN trials rifle. Plenty of SKN's though........

Hi Peter, I don't know if they were trials FNs (although I don't think they could have been anything else really), but the first exercise we did at Junior Leaders' Regiment RAC when I joined up in 1982 we carried DP'ed FNs. The Falklands was in full swing at that time so they definately weren't captured Argentinian rifles.

[Albayo]

I received a box of odds and ends last month and there was a butt stock, pistol grip, and FAL mag with a painted white ring around the body for Metric FN. The guy said the FN items came out of a Canadian depo as scrap. I have an FN FAL and I knew the mag wouldn't fit a C1.

[browningautorifle]

The FAL mags will fit the FN C1. It just isn't as secure as the correct mags. It's the other way round, the FN C1 types won't fit the FALs.