L42 A1 Don't judge a book by it's cover

[Buccaneer]

The SID label (Stores Inspection Label) and the date of 87 tells me that it has been rebuilt at one of the big workshops

Great info Peter many thanks but I have just rechecked the Stores Inspection label on the scope and the date is 1st Oct 1982, it is badly faded now but I think it also says Donnington around the bottom edge. Would the rifle have gone through a similar process to FTR? as everything is in such good condition.

[Peter Laidler]

I always consider the Base Workshop programme a FR as opposed to an FTR. However, the REME Inspectorate/MAG's say it was as good as a FTR!!! Weapons etc etc always came out in perfect condition. Alas, the L42 always suffered from shortage of good replacement woodwork so patches were the norm. The stepped barrels always seemed to be the norm as replacements.

[Donzi]

Peter,
Despite popular opinion, NO bit of history is useless, if only to prove that history repeats itself ad infinitum.
Donzi
(former owner of 1954 MGTF & 1960 AH Bugeye Sprite)

There another bit of useless history for you[/QUOTE]

[Peter Laidler]

Don't forget that while this is the CES for the RIFLE, the actual ISSUE also included a prismatic compass, a pair of 6x 30 No2 binoculars and a CWC wrist watch/strap. These were supplementary issues that weren't part of the CES as such because they were part of a separate V&A (Valuable and Attractive) account that were audited differently and meant to be kept separate - although they were usually kept secure in the Armoury or what we call 'the G-10 store'

So your CES should also include these things too if you want to be really correct. All should be easily obtained on 'that' site

Forget about the ghillie suit as this item was a totally different beast as it was simply an expendable and unaccountable-after-issue 'expense item'

[PrinzEugen]

Also a silenced Mk6 sten? Or would it even have been a L34A1/Mk5 sterling by that point to make up the super-duper CES?

[Peter Laidler]

No. The additional weapon carried by the second sniper would be a separate item altogether held by the unit. Mind you, one added to a kit on display would look awsome wouldn't it?

[gsimmons]

Here's a 1975 dated Hamilton WW.
Attachment 39635
Here's a 1967 dated Smiths
Attachment 39636
Here are the backs, the Smiths is on top. The Hamilton is prefixed to the RN.Attachment 39637

[Peter Laidler]

What about a picture of a current CWC Gary

[gsimmons]

Current issue quartz watches.
The CWC on the left is dated 1980, the other two are 2000's. the Pulsar is 1999. The T in a circle means tritium luminous. The L means Luminova luminous was used.
Attachment 39638

[Peter Laidler]

That's them AND the correct straps too! Thanks Gary. These are the wrist watches that were part of the L42 CES from the late 70's onwards era if anyone is interested in completing the ACTUAL kit.

Can anyone out there show us the No2 6x 30 binos. Both the Mk2 and Mk3 types were used until very recently although I don't remember seeing the earlier Mk2 binos since the 80's. The difference between the two was basically, the Mk3 type could be desiccated via the 2x red desiccation screws on the front of each closing plate. The only trouble was that this desiccation system was fine just so long as the eye pieces were screwed in/down. Alas, as soon as you adjusted the dioptre setting to focus for each eye, opening the ocular lens system up ............ anyway, in short it was a good idea flawed in practice!

The Mils or degrees compasses have been shown on here previously. It's suprising the amount of owners who have the rifle CES and night vision etc etc and....... and........ but not these bits! Thanks again Gary