My new Lithgow, New Zealand contract L1A1

[mrclark303]

Morning all, the latest addition to my Straight pull L1A1 collection is complete!

I procured the parts kit from a well known major dealer here in the UK (to remain anonymous) and had it transferred to Neal Parnam at Suffolk rifles, now I know Neal's standard of work well as he built up my first 1962 Enfield L1A1 and he didn't disappoint with this build, the barrel is very heavy in profile behind the handguards and is a real work of art, quite superb engineering!

My rifle was manufactured in 1964, one of 2198 rifles sold to New Zealand that year, it was probably allocated to the RNZAF, as most of the 1964 allocation appears to have been issued to the Airforce from what I have read.

I provided Neal with a rough set of Brit plastics to build up the rifle and get it through proof, but as soon as I got her home she was whisked into the workshop for fitting out! Restored Lithgow Coachwood butt and pistol grip, followed by the quite rare first pattern flat rivet Laminate handguards and topped off with the NZ pattern carry handle.

I have also fitted an L2A2 SUIT and Hythe sight assembly including foresight, both need reactivating as the tritium vile's have expired, just haven't got round to it yet!

This final fit spec, (including the black paint work) would be correct for a NZ service rifle in approx 1978-81 "ish" I think.

Oh yes, also the 37 pattern sling, pull through and oil bottle were all procured from a friend in NZ.......Yep, I am that OCD when it comes to my milsurps!

All in all very pleased and looking forward to getting her onto the range, a big thank you to Neal Parnham and all who contributed to my project.

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[tankhunter]

Do I 'Know' those Handguards Johnny?.................. LOL

[mrclark303]

Do I 'Know' those Handguards Johnny?.................. LOL

Yep, you sure do Mike, they restored very nicely indeed, that horrible varnish finish was removed from all the woodwork and it it was returned to its correct oil finish, it looks so much better now, I hate varnish on a military rifle!

[tankhunter]

Yep, you sure do Mike, they restored very nicely indeed, that horrible varnish finish was removed from all the woodwork and it it was returned to its correct oil finish, it looks so much better now, I hate varnish on a military rifle!

Varnish should NEVER be used on Firearm Furniture in any case! Wood is a living medium, & if You varnish it. It cannot 'Breath'. It needs to be supple to absorb minor knocks & reform to it's normal surface shape.
After rubbing down & striking off. BOILED (NOT 'Normal') linseed oil should be liberally worked into the wood surface. I used to let butt stocks stand upright in a bowl of the stuff. To allow the wood grain to absorb it by 'sucking' it up!

If the wood on a butt for example. Is allowed to dry out. It becomes very brittle. & it only takes an accidental drop of the rifle on it's butt. To split it up a fair way, or break a chunk out!

You cannot equal the lovely feel when handling. Or indeed the Asthetic appeal of wooden furniture on a weapon!

[Aussie48]

Hate to tell you this but the fore stock on your rifle is not the original pattern but the replacement variety. The original pattern was solid timber (coachwood) and was shaped in a triangular fashion and in my opnion much better than the plywood replacement as shown on your rifle.

[mrclark303]

While I agree with you on the look of the triangular two slot handguards, the reason this rifle is fitted out like this, is that I already have an Enfield L1A1 in wood, (including the two slot triangular forend and wood carry handle), so I wanted my Lithgow to represent a rifle in the latter period of its service.

I quite like the look and feel of the Laminate.

[mrclark303]

Couldn't agree more, I have restored quite a few British L1A1 wood sets and about half have been heavily varnished in the past, why .... who knows .... It looks dreadful on any military rifle, Personally though, I use raw linseed oil, quite a few coatings and a final hand buff to finish.

I will give you a call next week for a catch up mate, been ridiculously busy!

[enbloc8]

I used to let butt stocks stand upright in a bowl of the stuff. To allow the wood grain to absorb it by 'sucking' it up!

Never thought of that! Thank you!

[Peter Laidler]

When I was at RNZAF Whenuapai and Ohakea in 1969 they were fully armed with No4's! I'm not sure that you will be able to reactivate the tritium vials in the foresight as they are a one-way trip job. They were made by Saunders Roe on the Isle of Wight as I seem to remember. They were doing a few tritium thinggies for us including the GAP markers for the mortars. But it was a nice day out/jolly on the Army

That SUIT sight....... Shooter Usually In Trouble! Nice to see an L1A1 again. Makes you realise what a nice looking rifle it was. Just thinking to myself whether it had any vices. I don't think it did really. You can't blame the SUIT on the rifle can you?

Does anyone remember towards the end of its life, that the pointed foresight locking screw was in desperately short supply for some reason? Dues out* was about 10 years! There was a modification to modify the similar threaded and apparently plentiful SCREW, retaining locking latch lever to suit.

[mrclark303]

When I was at RNZAF Whenuapai and Ohakea in 1969 they were fully armed with No4's! I'm not sure that you will be able to reactivate the tritium vials in the foresight as they are a one-way trip job. They were made by Saunders Roe on the Isle of Wight as I seem to remember. They were doing a few tritium thinggies for us including the GAP markers for the mortars. But it was a nice day out/jolly on the Army

That SUIT sight....... Shooter Usually In Trouble! Nice to see an L1A1 again. Makes you realise what a nice looking rifle it was. Just thinking to myself whether it had any vices. I don't think it did really. You can't blame the SUIT on the rifle can you?

Does anyone remember towards the end of its life, that the pointed foresight locking screw was in desperately short supply for some reason? Dues out* was about 10 years! There was a modification to modify the similar threaded and apparently plentiful SCREW, retaining locking latch lever to suit.

Morning Peter, I have been looking closely at the foresight and as you say, the vile is "in there" not designed to be replaced, why would the Army bother I suppose. I would imagine the foresight was a stop gap, stepping stone, toward a more effective dusk system anyway.

I did consider painting the vile with this as a work around 30ml Glow In The Dark Luminescent Luminous paint - Choose a colour - 30ml size | eBay

It would work for the foresight blade, but not the SUIT as it couldn't be re-changed with sunlight.

I have been looking high and low for the spring and fixing for this pattern of foresight, just can't find them anywhere. Failing that, I will replace it with the second pattern, if I can find one!