L42A1 (new to me), Rare Maltby Conversion

[Troglodyte]

Gentlemen,

Interested in the opinions of the group, as I know little about these rifles.

I bought this from a fuzzy GunBroker listing last month, and although there is one major disappointment to it (mismatched "out of service replacement" bolt), I am very happy with my find (pending a check with a borescope).

In collecting up the accessories, I have learned that the L42 community is incredibly kind and helpful. At least six members of this group have already helped me to understand my rifle better, and have found and sold me some hard-to-locate CES items. Brian Dick is of course among these, but I am not sure if I have permission to mention the others.

I am grateful to all.

L42A1 Rifle - Album on Imgur

Best,
Trog

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Gil Boyd]

Trog,
The good news is its a L42A1 rifle which was sent to Donnington secure building 69/671 on the 22nd of December 1971 out of a batch of 43. Hope this helps you with part of its history. The bolt may have been a simple cockup, somewhere by several bolts laying around and the wrong one picked up. Might be worth asking the seller if he has any other Lee's and check the bolts for you!!!
All the best
Gil

[Troglodyte]

Trog,
The good news is its a L42A1 rifle which was sent to Donnington secure building 69/671 on the 22nd of December 1971 out of a batch of 43. Hope this helps you with part of its history. The bolt may have been a simple cockup, somewhere by several bolts laying around and the wrong one picked up. Might be worth asking the seller if he has any other Lee's and check the bolts for you!!!
All the best
Gil

Gil, thanks!

Sadly, the seller offered this on behalf of the family of the late former owner. There is no information to be gained from that avenue. I just hope the gunsmith confirms it is safe to shoot! Unsure how to proceed if he does not.

It's certainly a lesson to us--WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT YOUR COLLECTION!!!! Even if you don't care how much money your heirs clear, it would be good for your collection to end up in the right hands after your death.

Oh--and Gil, you're one of the folks who helped my to understand this rifle better earlier. Thank you.

Is there any way to check to see if other Maltbys were converted into L42A1s? I'm given to understand that it's possible this is the only one.

Best,
Trog

[Roger Payne]

I don't think it is, although as not many were converted to 4T's in the first place proportionately few would have gone on to be converted to L42A1 specs. There are a few serial numbers on 'the list' that would probably indicate Maltby produced rifles. It's certainly a rare piece, regardless.

[Surpmil]

The bolt is correct insofar as it has the proper 19 Ton proof marks, as does the bolt head obviously.

Unless the previous owner had several L42s it would very unlikely a mix up occurred there.

What number is on the bolt, maybe it was just a swap between two rifles and the other one could be found?

[Gil Boyd]

Yes thats what I first thought, an innocent mix up, once the firearms guy has checked it over for you, it should be ok.

[Troglodyte]

The bolt is correct insofar as it has the proper 19 Ton proof marks, as does the bolt head obviously.

Unless the previous owner had several L42s it would very unlikely a mix up occurred there.

What number is on the bolt, maybe it was just a swap between two rifles and the other one could be found?

I've added a photo of the number on the bolt.

I think it reads A11982, which would appear to make it the bolt from another Maltby.

[Roger Payne]

Didn't have the benefit of the photo's initially, but just had a peek. I wonder if the rifle has spent time in Germany since its release from service? I think it is all genuine, but I do wonder if the scope bracket & scope have been re-matched to the rifle in its civvy life. The font of the scope number on the butt looks very Germanic to me. (After they were released a lot of L42's ended up on the German market). The rifle serial on the bracket has also been stamped over the black paint, causing some flaking, not before it was applied. I mean no offence to Troglodyte, as I am pretty sure he has a genuine L42, & of a 'rare manufacturer', as it were, but I do wonder who exactly matched the scope & bracket to this particular rifle. She's a peach, regardless, & I'd certainly give her house room........

[Troglodyte]

Didn't have the benefit of the photo's initially, but just had a peek. I wonder if the rifle has spent time in Germany since its release from service? I think it is all genuine, but I do wonder if the scope bracket & scope have been re-matched to the rifle in its civvy life. The font of the scope number on the butt looks very Germanic to me. (After they were released a lot of L42's ended up on the German market). The rifle serial on the bracket has also been stamped over the black paint, causing some flaking, not before it was applied. I mean no offence to Troglodyte, as I am pretty sure he has a genuine L42, & of a 'rare manufacturer', as it were, but I do wonder who exactly matched the scope & bracket to this particular rifle. She's a peach, regardless, & I'd certainly give her house room........

I take no offense--I'd rather know the truth!

Germany would have made for an interesting post-service travel history. Regardless, I hope to keep it in place for the next little while. I've spent more assembling CES than I did on the rifle!

---------- Post added at 08:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:02 AM ----------

Reviewing the photo DRP mentioned, the same numbers seem to have been struck twice for the final serial number.

[Gil Boyd]

Well no record of A11982 on the L42A1 list, thought a just in case search might help!