Parker Hale M85 Serial Number Checks & Provenance on Manufacture (Records)

[Cold_Zero]

Few more photos. Cropped to rifles

Full size photos: EX LION INTREPIDE 2012 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Sniper teams from 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (5 CMBG) practice on a shotting range at the Gagetown Garrison training area (N. B.) for Exercise LION INTREPIDE.

Photo by : Cpl Sebastien Grimard
Copyright © 2012 DND-MDN

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[browningautorifle]

Which range did that photo shoot happen on? Argus? Or one of the conventional...gravel on the firing point and all...looks like training area.

[Cold_Zero]

Not sure.

[browningautorifle]

All the pics are from all over the base. The firing point in question looks like Argus impact area though. The tower rings a bell but I can't remember where that was.

[rgg_7]

Cold Zero. I'm very impressed with your research result....it's the best that I've seen on the C3a1 in action. Your build is awesome. Ron (Canada).

[rgg_7]

Gil,

Did anymore info surface on the C3 contract you and Bill Smallwood where looking into? I'm particularly interested in R-23292 and R-29813 you referenced built 1975?). Do you know if they were proofed at 19 or 20 Tons per sq in. Birmingham's proof if I read correctly show 19 TPSI up to 1974 and 20 TPSI 1975 to 1997.

Ron

[Gil Boyd]

Ron,
I have the C3 Contract in my hands and the rifle numbers that came back fro refurbishment for upgrades. I also have the schematics and oddments referring to the C3A1. Spoke to Bill, from his memory he says those rifles should have received a stamp :
"special proof 20 tons" stamped on them, so in answer to your query 20 tons is what he believes they were rated to.
In amongst the papers are some useful snippets of info on the rifle itself and the ammo to be used, (attached) but nowhere does it give me a conclusive printout on the above wording requested under that contract.
So Bills memory is all I can offer I'm afraid at this time unless as I wade through the records left and find something I will of course let you know. I am currently placing all rifles/pistols handled by PH on a spreadsheet to be able to search easier but it is taking hours!!!
If you want anymore infor from the Ammo sheet let me know as there is a wad.
Apologies about the Australian C3A1 Schematic it doesn't want to play ball and sit the right way up regardless what I do.
Just to confirm your two numbers came back to Parker Hale on the 2nd November 1993 R23292 and R29813 which are recorded.

[Gil Boyd]

Ron,
The words you seek "Special Proof 20 tons" may be on the bottom of the barrel currently under the woodwork.
Have you had the wood work off at all to check? Might be worth a check on this occasion as Bill seems to think some ended up there.
Good luck!!

[rgg_7]

Gil,

Is there a date on the C3a1 contract? Does it specify a delivery schedule?

Ron (Canada)

[Gil Boyd]

Ron,
I have the faded fax copy of the complete contract W8466-7-EHB17/01 several pages dated the 26-11-87 this relates to a refurbishment contract of the 500 x C3A1 back to PH which were all completed and returned by the 31-12-1989.
Hope thats helpful, but if you have even seen Military contracts you will understand, that there are hundreds of boxes on one sheet of paper, with numbers and dates which must mean something to someone, but to you and I, basically pointless.
Not sure how these extra long pages will copy but here goes 3 at least to give you a flavour of the quality
Gil