Parker Hale M82 Serial number check.

[Gil Boyd]

Agree totally with Ron, albeit the S prefix was always attributed to the M81 with an R going onto M82's but I know in conversations I have had with Bill Smallwood about that, he states at the "end of Parker Hale" under Modular Industries, they had to use as many parts as they could to complete rifles and little or no creedance was paid to a letter, just get the rifles sold and out of the door policy.
Concur with the views it is definately an M82, of which I can find no trace in the PH files, and what I said earlier perhaps reflects that. The workforce were lucky to have been retained, and thereby morale must have taken a serious dive.
M82 was indeed stamped Special Proof 20 Tons, so that is correct and confirms it for me
The M81 Classic rifle was a Sporter, but the actions were exactly the same, so you can see how easily it is to get confused.
Great buy mate enjoy your M82 and of course the Easter weekend. Stay Safe

[recongazza]

Going from memory here, my issue M82 serial number was S10955, issued at the end of 1979 when I did the conversion course (we were using 303 No I Mk III HT Sniper Rifles till then). As an add, I bought a PH M85 brand new in 1988, again, from memory, Serial # 00208F in Nato Green stock, I fitted a Khales Zf84 scope to it.

[Gil Boyd]

Your PH M85 S/N 00208F was produced on 23rd Janaury 1987 it fired 19.3mm group @100 yards with 10 rounds. It was fitted with a Green NATO stock and sold to the Australian Army with no scope fitted.

Your M82 S/N S10955 there is no trace

[recongazza]

Thanks Gill,
Interesting about the M85, I was still serving in the Army when I bought that rifle new. I was told by the Rep (cannot remember who the distributor of Parker Hale was back then) that the rifle was one of four that had been ordered by the Australian Federal Police. At the last moment, they decided that they only wanted 3, he remembered that I was a Sniper and I got first offer on it. It cost AU$3,500, when my yearly wage then was only $29,000 Gross. I fitted a few different scopes to it till I settled on a Kahles Helia Zf84. Beautiful accurate rifle even with Australian F4 ball. The rifle is still in Australia, owned by a member of Misurps.

[Gil Boyd]

Garry,
Thats good to hear. It could be the PH record keeping wasn't that good as they are only books, or a simple change of direction and some others went to the Army at the same time.
Glad to hear its still out there.
Great rifles IMHO the best.
Sold mine recently.

[Steve1152]

I am negotiating teh purchase of what I am told is an M82. The serial No ? - 21221 can't make out the prefix plus the cross bolt hole has been filled. Any help please?

[Gil Boyd]

Some good news Parker Hale M82 Serial Number R-21221 was refurbished on the 5th June 1992 and re marked as a 1200 TX and sold with a large number of other rifles to a Mr T. Hallam on the 5th November 1996, having all returned to the PH in the UK from Canada as M82's originally.
No other record survived as to their onward life.
Hope this helps in some way, be interested to hear where it has ended up.

[rgg_7]

What is stamped on barrel - looks like a Parker Hale 1200 TX. What is it proof at ? 19 or 20 Tones? If on Gils list it may be an M82 if an "R" prefix. Scope is commerical ( I can't see the serial number however the turret I see is commerical). The serial number prefix would tell it all.

Ron (Canada)

[Lee Enfield]

R-21221 is an actual C3, great score!

Is the zf69 serial numbered in the 158xxx range?

[rgg_7]

Steve1152 - Is the rifle located in the UK. Your potential purchase is most interesting. See if you can get the proof marking detail and the scope serial number. Ask if the bolt knob is a full round ball or is it flat on the underside? You may have come upon something that's quite valuable. At a minimum it's a M82 and perhaps more.

Ron(Canada)