L42A1 Plastic bottle / lens cleaning brush

[Buccaneer]

I like everyone I have every spoken to has always said that the plastic bottle in the lid of the L42 A1 transit case was for a lens cleaning brush, however I have just got hold of a illustrated parts catalogue for the 7.62mm L42A1 rifle Army code number 60776 which seems to contradict this.
It lists the bottle as "Container, Pullthrough, Mk1" stock number M3/1005-12-142-8021. It does not list or show any kind of brush that would fit but it does show a "Brush, Artist,flat 1/2inch" part number F1/8020-99-943-0422. which appears to be for lens cleaning. Does anyone know the right answer??

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.

[Badger]

For clarity, what Buccaneer is referring to in his question is shown in the phoro montage for this MKL entry …

1971 L42A1 Enfield Sniper Rifle (click here)

(Clic PIC to Enlarge)

(Clic PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Doug

[Peter Laidler]

You need to go back through the threads on this forum. Somewhere along the line I explain fully the designation, the previous use and reasons why it's called what it is. But I can't be bothered to go through it all again.

Can someone resurrect this thread...................... But very briefly, it was a pullthrough container in a previous life. Then came the L42, economics came into play and it morphed..........

[Buccaneer]

Thanks for the info Peter I guessed that there would be a simple explanation. The reason that I asked is that the parts list shows the plastic bottle as item number 6 with the pullthrough drawn next to it as item number 7, the "Brush, Artist flat 1/2inch" is drawn next to the scope can and is drawn at a similar length to the can itself giving the impression that it is be stored in the can, is the drawing just artistic license or a mistake as the "Brush cleaning Small Arms ", item number 3 has been shown correctly.

[Brian Dick]

The bottles started their service life as a pull through container for the Carl Gustav, ("Charlie G") rocket launcher, hence the nomenclature "Contaiiner, Pullthrough, Mk.1". I have lovely reprints of the L39/L42 Illustrated Parts Catalogue available for those who want to complete their kit with the books too. All of this information is there.

[Peter Laidler]

Bottles like this. Three brand new, still in the Ordnance wrapper. These little bottles started their life as part of the cleaning kit for the sub-calibre device used in the 84mm Carl Gustav anti-tank rocket. Hence the M3 Ordnance category and peculiar sounding designation.

[Roger Payne]

Bucaneer,
You've no doubt twigged by now, but the handles on the brushes were cut off short to fit their new containers. Hence the apparent discrepancy.

ATB

[Gil Boyd]

The L42A1 bottle on that other site, is now at £155 WTF is going on have I just awoken from a deep slumber after 20 years in hibernation.
Absolutely ridiculous. Time I went in the loft and dug out the twenty I have somewhere filled as well with oil. I'll do a buy it now for the container which will be a £1.00 and £300 for the oil on that basis

[skiprat]

saw a cheep one at the War and Peace show this year ... saw it been removed from the original packing (to check it was not a reproduction , they can not reproduce the smell!!!!) it went for £400-£500 half the price one sold for on "that" auction site

[Peter Laidler]

Don't put oil in these bottles Gil, it will soften the plastic to a point of melting. Even old oily 4x2 flanlette left on the pullthrough cord used to soften them. Sure you ain't thinking of oil bottles?