Parker Hale Barrel/gas block on an ex NZ rifle

[mrclark303]

Afternoon all,

A question for Kevin here I think, I had a rather interesting ex NZ contract Lithgow L1A1 pass through a few weeks back, it was fitted with a very late production 1986 dated, Parker Hale barrel/ gas block..

I assumed this was fitted in the UK, however it hadn't been UK proofed, so did NZ purchase any PH made parts at the very end of its service life there??

Its the latest manufactured example I have seen, can't imagine they get much later then that, after all the L85 was in production by that point.

That said, I do have a couple of PH 1989 made cocking handles..

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

After production of L1A1 parts ceased at Enfield, spare parts production was farmed out to capable sub contractors. It needn't be UK commercial proofed if it was for UK MoD use as the UK Military proofed them at Cold Meece or Enfield. KtK can probably add the NZ connection but I'd have thought that NZ spares would have come from Lithgow.........

[nzl1a1collector]

I know that some spares were sourced from the UK and Australia in the 80's, I think it depended in who could supply it the cheapest to the point that we started making some of our own components as some of the prices from Australia were horrendous. As far as I know, we wouldn't of had any PH marked components, but in saying that I have a NIW butt stock removal tool with NZ stores labeling dated 1993. The L1A1 was withdrawn from service in 1990/91.

I would think that any ex NZ rifles floating around the UK would have at least the BNP marking from its import into the UK?

[Peter Laidler]

That's interesting that spares prices from Lithgow were horrendous. Australia could undercut Enfield and LB in the prices of new L1A1 rifles and Enfield were worried that they might do the same with L4 Bren conversions too for conversion contracts to other Commonwealth nations where they'd sold L1A1's at knock down prices. So they kept the IPR's closely guarded. BUT, there's always a catch. Like some car makers, they get you when you need spares later............

Just think that when Lithgow were anxious to use the Sterling/Patchett magazine for the F1 and talks were bogged down the answer turned out to be quite simple. James Edmiston and David Howroyd went over to the Aust Military Attache at the H.C. in The Strand, sat in the bar over a few drinks and a bite to eat, discussed the subject man to man, handed over the drawings and permission and that was the end of the matter

[mrclark303]

Many thanks for the info Kevin,

So only the UK used PH spares then by the look of it.

Well, here is the unpalatable part, I didn't want to type this into the original thread...so all inch pattern lovers with a weak heart or of a sensitive disposition, look away now and don't read on...

As this was an old spec deactivated rifle, in with me for refurbishment, it did also occur to me that someone used an un-issued brand new PH barrel, this was then deactivated for this rifle

Just too horrible and wasteful to contemplate, but no military markings and no civilian proof markings, either meant it was re-barrelled in NZ, or the unthinkable... Someone took an angle grinder to a brand new barrel!

[Peter Laidler]

They probably took the stock that was left when P-H closed down.

[nzl1a1collector]

That reminds me......... I have seen a photo of about six PH86 NIW barrel/gas block assemblies that were heading away to be 'deactivated'. Maybe the barrel on the rifle is one of these?

[Peter Laidler]

Makes you wonder why the old barrels were removed and replaced by new barrels - on a deact! Mind you a new L1A1 barrel was worthless after the great plague following Hungerford

[mrclark303]

I might be able to shed a little light on this, when a batch of ex NZ L1A1's came into the UK back in the 90's, some were proofed and re-exported, I am sure Kevin can provide more info on that batch.

Some were deactivated for the UK market and some stripped down (I assume primarily destined for US parts kits).

A number of these stripped kits (my ex NZ SP is built up from one) never were exported for some reason and remained with a certain large UK dealer.

As Peter said, post Hungerford the best way of getting rid of them was to barrel them back up and deactivate them, as this was the only real market for L1A1's back then...along with all those unused barrels..

[nzl1a1collector]

Do you want to cry, I mean really cry (someone will have to consul mrclark303, I think he's going to have a turn).............................. those barrels I was telling you about, the image I saw was dated 2012, and the barrels were new and dated 1986 and 1990, they along with some NIW L2A1 barrel assemblies were heading out to be modified so they could be assembled to new 'deactivated guns'.