L1A1 shorter return spring housing ?

[Peter Laidler]

We didn't worry toooo much about the aesthetics of things! Barring out was the norm as you see from Bren barrels etc etc. At Aldershot and Warminster we had several jigs specially made for things that needed numbering, such as No2/L9 slides and barrels, No4 magazines and bolts, SLR TMH's, BB's and carriers....., you know the sort of thing. Put the part in, tighten up with a couple of positioning bolts and they'd align it to a pre positioned place It was a simple matter to take out the engraving cutter and put in a small milling cutter. Mill out the old number and then engrave the number into said slot. Did plenty of No2 pistol slides like that too as we weren't allowed to stamp the number

[mrclark303]

Morning Peter, many thanks for that info, being the eternal L1 anorak that I am, its great to get this sort of first hand knowledge.

Would someone search out another UE62 TMH to re-number, or is this just a case of luck of the draw on my rifle?

[tankhunter]

Pete, Along the lines of a repair to a TMH. But not an In service example.

Earlier in the year, I had a Deac L1A1 in for repair's (Various) & one of the suprising things to Me, was the underside Tang was broken off!

Well, it was a simple matter to select a small piece of sheet steel from the 'Ferrous Metals' Box under my Bench.
& cut out with a hacksaw, & shape to correct profile. Then Bore a retaining screw hole in the new Tang.

Then Mig Weld it to the correct position on the TMG. A quick coat of Suncorite 259, & reassemble the TMH with it's componants.
Refit to the Rifle, & you would never know it had been replaced!...

I even stamped the Tang with a Small Pheon (Arrow) UK Property Mark!....