1971 L42A1 Enfield Sniper Rifle (Originally a No.4 Mk1(T) mfg by Long Branch)

[Badger]

Submitted by member "mudgee" to the site Advisory Panel for assessment and opinion ....

What is the Advisory Panel Review Validation Service? (click here)

1971 L42A1 Enfield Sniper Rifle
(Originally a No.4 Mk1(T) mfg by Long Branch)

Original Discussion Thread (click here)

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Current MKL entry for comparison… Note: this entry is NOT the rifle submitted for assessment, but rather a similar one used for purposes of comparison for general correctness.

1971 L42A1 Enfield Sniper Rifle (click here)
(Originally a 1944 No.4 Mk1(T) mfg by BSA Shirley)

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Two other MKL articles about L42A1 conversions that may be of general interest to our members.....

From No4 Mk I (T) to L42 AI - Part 1 (by Graeme 'broadarrow303' Barber)

From No4 Mk I (T) to L42 AI - Part 2 (by Graeme 'broadarrow303' Barber)

Final Advisory Panel opnion.........

This item has been judged by members of the Milsurps Advisory Panel, to be authentic by original manufacturer, with all correct markings and components.

PICS submitted and attached below for item reviewed

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[limpetmine]

I don't think it's a 1943 or 44. I think it is a 1945. The bottom of the "5" is the clue to me.
The serial number will say it is a 1944.
That said, the serial number list I keep, ( and need to update) says there were some T's made in the 71L series. You can see too, that there was 71L0643 T was also made in 1945.
I think this is pretty conclusive that it's a 1945.

What is curious to me is the renumbering of the British made scope by REL. Why would they have done this?

REL wasn't in the L42 business. When L42's were being made, REL was long out of business.

We may never know.

It looks right to me.

1944 70L0259 1*
1944 70L1167 1*
1944 70L2651 1*
1944 70L2910 1*
1944 71L0297 1*(T)
1944 71L0369 1*(T)
1944 71L9143 1*
1944 71L23XX I*

1945 3L60XX
1945 11L0620 1*(T)
1945 71L0643 1*T
1945 81L3375 1*
44 81L3666 1*
1945 83L1026 1*
45 83L1914
1945 83L38XX 1*(T)

[gsimmons]

C no.32 Mk 3 made by REL converted to L1A1 by the British?

[limpetmine]

C no.32 Mk 3 made by REL converted to L1A1 by the British?

Then why were the REL numbers not barred out as was typically done?

[Peter Laidler]

You've got me Limpetmine!!!!!!! What numbers were usually/typically barred out by the British? We didn't bar out the serial number - or if we did, we re-engraved the same number together with the new L1A1 designation.

[gsimmons]

I may be under the wrong impression, but isn't the COS number like an NSN number? And the 116-C is the scopes original serial number.

[Roger Payne]

Yes, on UK produced scopes it would be 'OS' followed by the specific number for that type of instrument. The 'OS' just means 'Optical Stores'. The 'C' in the 'COS' differentiates the item as of Canadian origin.

ATB

[Peter Laidler]

I did see a Mk3 converted to L1A1 with the 22583 lined through and neatly re-engraved 22538. I just assume that the pantograph engraver slipped in the letters arsx about face! The butt had been renumbered too!

[limpetmine]

Hiding in plain sight.....
The R.E.L. and 116-C were original to the scope. The COS 2029A was barred out,
and re-engraved L1A1.
Here is another Mk3, not converted.

It's a Monday for me, sorry for being thick.

[Peter Laidler]

The answer, in addition to DRP's answer, is that the old part numbers were barred out because the NEW scope (the now converted to L1A1 scope) had a new designation and therefore a new part number.

The reason that some telescopes were now 'telescope straight........' is that at the time, there were others that were 'Telescope prismatic .........' and it just separated the two types into different VAOS categories

If anyone is interested, there is also an answer why SOME L1A1 telescopes are re-engraved BELOW the old designation and others re-engraved ABOVE the old designation