Parker Hale M82 Serial number check.

[Steve1152]

Thanks for all your messages and valuable information. The rifle is proofed to 20T if you look closely at the first picture I posted it does show the UK proof mark and pressure test to 20T.

I have attched a further picture requestd by rgg_7

[Lee Enfield]

Your scope predates the Canadian C3 Kahles zf69 contract scopes.

New spacers were available on Epay recently.

[Gil Boyd]

Steve,

Like the everybody else, my view would be to go for it anyway, as long as the price is right. The PH records on the M82's is accurate, no scopes fitted or sold with them, so yours has arrived from somewhere, but looks right a number could be helpful to try to group it with others from the same batch perhaps if its recorded.
That could help. Anybody know a T.Hallam F/A dealer in the UK??

[Steve1152]

Thanks everyone thats what I needed to know. Out of interest what is the going price for an M82 just to give me a comparison?

[Gil Boyd]

Steve,
I would say £2-£3k really dependant on what you have there, it is a difficult one, as PH rifles seem to be fetching good prices recently at auction.

[Steve1152]

Thanks Gil Thats gives me a good range to work with.

[Gil Boyd]

Established that T. Hallam is in fact Tony Hallam of Charnwood Ordnance.

He did indeed did buy a lot of guns from Parker Hale back in 1996.

He is related to Roger Hale by marriage. He owns one of the largest collection of sniper rifles around, although Bill Smallwood ex PH, believes he may be selling a few off now.
Hope that helps.

[rgg_7]

Steve1152. I'm assuming R-21221 is in the UK. Here's my comments;

1. T Hallam purchased approx 54 M82 from Parker Hale 5/11/1996 - "Gil Boyd" has the records and confirms this entry in the Parker Hale log. It was sold as a M82.
2. The "R" prefix to the serial number is underlined. This means it's a repurposed receiver built into a M82. R Hale retained the salvage rights from the C3a1 program and torn down the majority of C3 returns to salvage reusable components. Receivers that were built into M82's had the "R" underlined and were originally C3's and intended to be sold as 1200TX target rifles. I've seen a number of these surface. There were also some R serial number target rifles sold as 1200 TX that were restocked C3 barreled actions. Yours has a new bolt in the M82 style with the full round knob and the M82 handle profile. Most likely rebarrelled - the date code on the left side of the barrel below the stock line would confirm built date. It's in a circle showing 2 letters and a number. It's an interest piece to a C3 collector.
3. Steel scope bases C3 correct. Also used on M82's
4. Stock is 1200TX . The butt vertical dimension is longer than a C3 or M82 using the spacer's as a guide. I'd buy a correct C3 or M82 stock and toss what's on it. Greatly enhance value.
5. ZF scope is outside the C3 range as pointed out by "Lee Enfield" and has commercial turrets - so it's representative however not C3 correct. M82 if they were scoped for Australia are generally in a much higher serial number range.

You don't see these offered very often and most target shooters that had acquired one of these weren't into the collector history.

Let us know how the results of the purchase.

Ron (Canada)

[desperatedan]

Thanks everyone thats what I needed to know. Out of interest what is the going price for an M82 just to give me a comparison?

Hi Steve,

I had one just like this (R-31350 with I think the underlined "R" too). It had a Kahles scope and had the 1200tx type stock like this one where the M82 wooden butt extension spacers wouldn't fit it just like your picture. I sold it just over three years ago (in the UK) for just over £1000 and I was surprised to see it sell again earlier this year for £4000 through a dealer in Havering, Essex I think. I noticed that it had been restocked by someone with an M82/C3 type stock and butt spacers and had unfortunately lost the Kahles scope too. However not a bad profit for someone in a short space of time! As to the price of the one you're looking at I would agree that the suggested £2-£3k seems reasonable or a little less if the seller doesn't read forums like this

[rgg_7]

Looks like R-31350 was build some the same lot of parts as R-21221. I did see this listed for sale and I believe it was imported into the USA. I do not know the purchaser however he did end up with a very fine example of a M82 or a C3 rebuild. As for the price - you need to consider the history and rareness. When you consider that Parker Hale sold very few of these to Canada's military (DND) - less than 500 delivered (484 according to C Law) of which less than 300 were scoped - the price is not out of line. Correct scope range is 158562 to 158855 including spares (C Law).

Anymore C3 serial numbers folks would like to post?

Ron (Canada)