Is this L42 A1 legit??

[Charlie]

"That one's been discussed not long ago. It's more or less a mess. I'll let one of the search gurus sort a link."

JMoore, please define more or less a mess ? The only thing I see wrong with the rifle is the Scope mount thats been altered. Please be specific if you're going to condem !

[jmoore]

"That one's been discussed not long ago. It's more or less a mess. I'll let one of the search gurus sort a link."

JMoore, please define more or less a mess ? The only thing I see wrong with the rifle is the Scope mount thats been altered. Please be specific if you're going to condem !

Reference the links in Post #9.

[Charlie]

JMoore, I have read them in fact I started that thread. And other that the buggered scope bracket I fail to see anything that constitutes a "mess". By all means correct me if Im wrong.

[vintage hunter]

I'm bit curious Charlie, do you own this rifle?

[Peter Laidler]

I see where you're coming from Charlie but what I think JM and others is/are most politely alluding to is that just based on the photographic evidence coupled with the butchered (and why for heavens sake.......) bracket, the whole thing looks like a.........., well.............. Have you ever heard the phrase '......as straight as a corkscrew'?

[Charlie]

PL, define photo evidence. You folks keep speaking in generalities. Please be specific. Nobody is disputing the cobbled up scope mount. But i see nothing else wrong with the rifle, scope or kit.

VH, Not yet but maybe.

[vintage hunter]

I knew I'd seen this bracket somewhere before. See thread entitled No.32 Scope Mount for more details. And C
Charlie, since you started that thread too I think you just might know a little more about this particular L42 than your letting on. What gives?

[Charlie]

I am well acquainted with the owner. He brought the scope mount to me a couple of years back when I asked the original question about the cut out section. I did the fill in with metal repair epoxy. I also checked the mating of the mount to rifle and it is right on. I did not do the S/N engraving but I know who did. I also did some minor repairs to the transit case and have been able to examine all the other accessories. Other than the scope mount everything looks good. I have the opportunity to buy the piece and have been contemplating doing so since it came up for sale and wanted to know what the consensus was here from those that should know. I was satisfied with what was offered at the original request but when JMoore came back on this thread and stated that the rifle and it's kit was a "mess".
I asked for a explanation as to what constitutes a "mess" other than the scope mount ? So far only vague generalities. So before I put a bunch of money on the line I would like to know just what exactly what it is that you think is wrong with this rifle and all it accessories ? And another thing, in reality is there a L42 or a 4T out there that is all original ? As issued all original and correct parts yes, but original as produced, doubt it. They are all just a collection of parts and pieces that have been through overhaul and repair more than once in their service life. So if there is anything in that collection of parts and pieces that constitutes the L42 in question that is not genuine please tell me.

[Brian Dick]

At least you took good advice on the bracket repair! I don't see anything wrong with it except the butchered/repaired bracket. If you don't like it, get a bracket from Roger Payne, fit and finish it properly and it's as good as original. His brackets were purchased by MoD and used in the very last big L42 rebuild program in the 1980's. There are a few No.4T rifles out in the hands of collectors that are unaltered since being built at H&H. I've had a few others and still have one. This will never hold true for the L42 though since ALL of them are conversions and saw service until they were pretty much knackered. I put close to to 60 of them right in years past with the help of the good Captain who serviced the scopes. I never fooled with altering serial numbers on brackets. Rifles with mismatch scopes and brackets went out of here as just that and at a reduced price. I still wish I had them all back but at least the few of you who own and shoot the rifles that went through here know they were/are range ready and also unaltered when you got them!

[vintage hunter]

OK Charlie fair enough. I think the rig is being referred to as a ''mess'' due to the altered serial numbers on the bracket and possibly the stock wrist to attempt to make it appear as a genuine matched set when it isn't. This reduces collector value and is viewed by many as fraud.