L39A1 used a L42 base clone ?

[harry mac]

I hope to God you don't follow through with altering your L39. There weren't many of these rifles produced at all, only about 1400 if I'm interpreting the production figures correctly, so rarity wise, it beats most other LE variants hands down. These WILL become very desirable rifles one day for precisely that reason.
Sights turn up often on E-Bay and Brian has given you the model numbers, but just a small point to note, the fore sight, AJ2 MFP Globe could equally be replaced with a Parker Hale Match Maker fore sight (They might even be the same sight?)
Please find a "targetised" 7.62mm No4 conversion and get a set of pads fitted properly to it, you'll still end up with a L42 clone that's only worth slightly more than the scope fitted to it, but you won't end up with a scope fitted to a worthless, "ruined" L39.
The only "good" thing about your proposed course of action would be to make L39's even rarer, so increasing the value of those remaining

[Robert303]

Hello Fan of Props.
Have a good look at this link if you are not familiar with Parker Hale Sights.
Service and TArget Rifle Sights ~ Parker-Hale and B.S.A.
Don't panic they do come up on ebay quite often OK, in the UK they are about US$150 to $200 the later ones tend to be cheaper as there are not so many buyers.

[ssj]

Keep the L39 as is, it is irreplacable. If you want to make a L42 clone there are a lot of No4 mk1/2s, 1/3s or 2s that have been sporterised such as the ones from parkerhale about that should be pretty cheap and would be suitable.

[Macca]

Forgive me,I really have tried searching,but what is an L1A1 range scale?

[Peter Laidler]

It's the crucial part that turns an imperial .303"/yard No32 Mk2/1 and 3 telescope into a 7.62mm/metric L1A1 telescope.

[Macca]

Thanks Peter,
I had a sneaking suspicion this was the case.
I do have some questions regarding such a thing but i'll start a separate thread to avoid clogging this one.

[Surpmil]

I wouldn't agree with Surpmil above for the following reasons. If you make a No4T into something it's not, then it's turned into, well....., it's neither beast nor fowl.

When I say "beat up", I mean nothing left but the action, pads - maybe - and maybe the butt. Chopped or shot out barrel so you're going to toss it anyway, put what you want on, it won't be original anyway.

Surprising how often No4(T)s turn up in that state even now.

[Roger Payne]

I must confess that 25 years ago, when there were no L42's to be had, I took a 'spare' original BSA 44 4T receiver & built it up into a L42A1. (In fact, IIRC an armourer friend well known on this forum helped me a great deal with the project!). I would not dream of doing it today, as it would seem a waste of a good 4T body that could otherwise be restored to its former glory, but times were different then & though it may seem blasé to say it now, they were 'ten a penny' at the time.

Times & circumstances change & consequently so do our actions.

ATB

[fanofprops]

Thank you for all the comments. I read you guys loud and clear. No messing with the L39A1....got it. well, rats....mmmmm.....I guess I should try and focus on looking for a L42 then. Its not that I do not like the L39, I just like the whole "sniper" thing attached to the L42.

So I guess my next question (I hate to ask) but to what value should I place on it for a fairly quick and easy sale? Its a great rifle, my gunsmith friend looked it over and commented that he doubted the thing has been shot more than a dozen times if that. No sights (front or rear) but has the front sight base. Has a post war British Enfield sling and is missing the Parker Hale sling swivel by the magazine. Was drilled for a cheek rest and I purchased a replica to go there. Cannot find any import marks. Thanks in advance.

[Peter Laidler]

While they aren't my cup of tea, they are very salable/desired. BUT you need to speak to a specialist. Speak to Brian at BDL in SC. He knows the market but better still, he knows the buyers who want this stuff!