Joe Salter does it again, 'just how 'experamental is this enfield/'

[RJW NZ]

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Experimental British XL39E1 Rifle by Enfield
Price: US $5995.00 Order
Click on thumbnails below to enlarge images

Maker: Enfield Model: XL39E1 Caliber/Gauge: 7.62mm NATO


Serial #A152, 7.62mm NATO, 27 1/2" barrel with an excellent, bright bore. This is a 1969 dated, early experimental rifle that has 97-98% of the original black armory finish remaining on the metal with a few small chips and minor blemishes scattered about the muzzle and along a few of the exposed edges and projections (including a small swatch of yellow paint on the top of the barrel about 5 1/2" from the handguard signifying military issue). The matching numbered bolt likewise has some small specks of gray metal on the edges of the bearing surfaces and on the handle. The rifle has a correct original sights: an A.J. Parker adjustable aperture target rear and a target globe front with single insert; and are in excellent condition. The matching numbered forend and the grooved handguard have some minor handling marks and blemishes in the original varnish and the buttstock, which is very slightly darker in tone, matches condition-wise and has a small circular milled depression in the belly of the butt just aft of the grip knuckle. A single matching numbered 7.62mm magazine is included which is quite unusual for an L39 (which were single-shots), however these experimental rifles came with factory numbered 7.62mm magazines. This is a splendid, matching numbered, early L39 rifle in excellent overall condition and would make a fantastic addition to a collection. Having lots of trouble finding info on this weapon. If anyone has anything, please let us know. FFL

Information

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[Badger]

Saved auction details for posterity and future member research .....

Experimental British XL39E1 Rifle by Enfield
Price: US $5995.00
Maker: Enfield Model: XL39E1 Caliber/Gauge: 7.62mm NATO

Serial #A152, 7.62mm NATO, 27 1/2" barrel with an excellent, bright bore. This is a 1969 dated, early experimental rifle that has 97-98% of the original black armory finish remaining on the metal with a few small chips and minor blemishes scattered about the muzzle and along a few of the exposed edges and projections (including a small swatch of yellow paint on the top of the barrel about 5 1/2" from the handguard signifying military issue). The matching numbered bolt likewise has some small specks of gray metal on the edges of the bearing surfaces and on the handle. The rifle has a correct original sights: an A.J. Parker adjustable aperture target rear and a target globe front with single insert; and are in excellent condition. The matching numbered forend and the grooved handguard have some minor handling marks and blemishes in the original varnish and the buttstock, which is very slightly darker in tone, matches condition-wise and has a small circular milled depression in the belly of the butt just aft of the grip knuckle. A single matching numbered 7.62mm magazine is included which is quite unusual for an L39 (which were single-shots), however these experimental rifles came with factory numbered 7.62mm magazines. This is a splendid, matching numbered, early L39 rifle in excellent overall condition and would make a fantastic addition to a collection. Having lots of trouble finding info on this weapon. If anyone has anything, please let us know. FFL


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[PrinzEugen]

Interesting so thanks RJW and Badger. I note the engraving seems to be slightly of the tilted variety on the receiver.

I'd be interested to know what the considered opinion is as to whether the XLs came with 'factory numbered' 7.62 mags.

[superbee]

I remember in the early 90's "collectors Source" in Canada had XL39's,L39's,7.62 covn's and Envoys for sale for $695.00-$795.00 and enforcer snipers for $995.00
I think most of them went to the US.

[bigduke6]

Hmmm, is it me or this the only rifle in 7.62 w/w instedead of 7.62 M/M

[Simon]

Rifle A152 was despatched to Donnington on the 6th Jun 1969. The info I have shows the highest serial numbered XL39A1 was A167

Cheers,

Simon.

[limpetmine]

Looks pretty good to me. Other than the price!

[RJW NZ]

That butt socket is a horrible fit, wonder whats going on there?

[Brian Dick]

I think there were only 200 or so XL's manufactured. I thought they were originally shipped with .303 magazines installed but i could be wrong.

[XL39E1]

I've seen 14x XL39's all with numbered 7.62mm Mags! The Engraving looks as it should do!