Was there a cover for the L4 when mounted on the Abbot etc?

[tombear]

I was just sorting out some surplus to go on eBay when reexamined what I was told, when given it, a cover for a tripod or vehicle mounted GPMG L7. It has a code of FV 600169 or 1005 99 805 2057 in new money. However when I did a search I just got the vague description of Vehicle mount, no indication to me of what gun it was for. However some chap is selling them still sealed in their bags as L4 covers. Now if there's any truth in that ill be keeping it as I have a L4A4, if not a AFV to it to go on. Can anyone advise? There is a big bulge on the top but I assumed that was to cover a sight or part of the mount?

Confused of East Lancashire

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

I would imagine that there was a rain and dust cover for the L4 on the Abbott as it was out of the cupola. When the L4's were replaced by the GPMG then they'd repeat the process. It wasn't just for that vehicle though as there was also a cover - and it was very probably the same one - for the guns while mounted on what we used to call the Larch pole

Maybe one of the gungy gunners could tell us whether they ever replaced the L4 on the Abbott with the GPMG. I ask because it was just a self defence machine gun for the vehicle because by definition, if you had a huge self propelled gun on the vehicle, you probably wouldn't be operating where there was a lot of enemy infantry activity. But I could be wrong.....

[browningautorifle]

Not a lot of activity Peter, but Recce Platoon would certainly be about.

[Peter Laidler]

Yep...., true! You must have been in a reccy platoon BAR!

[browningautorifle]

Yes Peter, '78/'80 and '90/'91...

[nzl1a1collector]

Here's what the cover looks like. It might be designed to fit the L4A4 with the mag in place?

[tankhunter]

Yes, those covers were for L4's. Used on About & also 432 APCs & Ferret MkI/II Armoured scout cars as well. The mount fitted into a socket on the cupola's of Abbot & 432. But the ferret had a Post mounting for it to drop into. You could also fit the GPMG Mount into any of those vehicles cupola sockets as well. There is a SIMILAR, but different cover for the GPMG. The 'Bulge' on the GPMG cover is on the side. To protect the ammo can in the spring retaining bracket on that mount.

[tombear]

Excellent! Thanks folks! I'll be keeping that one then.

ATB

Tom

[tankhunter]

I bought three of these at a Militaria Fair yesterday. They are still sealed in their original, packaging.

[Peter Laidler]

Someone correct me I'm wrong, but isn't AS99, as in the VAOS designation on the cover the code number for the Abbott SP gun. The next thing you need to find is an Abbott. It JUST so happens that I know a man who knows someone, who's friend uncle..........