+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: 1955-56 trials magazine for T48 HRA rifle

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member RCS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:56 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    4,314
    Real Name
    Robert Seccombe
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    06:10 AM

    1955-56 trials magazine for T48 HRA rifle

    Photos show an original 20rd H&R T-48 Rifle magazine in original condition, I got some of these magazines some years ago when I wrote an article on the T48 rifle. Next to the HRA magazine is a metric FAL magazineAttachment 115696Attachment 115694Attachment 115695Attachment 115697
    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.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:35 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,813
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    04:10 AM
    As impossible and improbable as it may sound, I had one of these rifles in a small arms collection when I was in the Small Arms school in Gagetown New Brunswick. The one I had was from FN I think, not one of the 500 H&R made. I forget for sure where this one came from, I think it was the R22er museum, not sure. It had no breechblock but our FN C1A1 breechblock fit and functioned perfectly. I had no correct magazine but used a metric magazine I think, which fit and functioned. The only damage to this rare and beautifully made rifle was the odd forestock, which had been cracked badly right through and barely held. I took it home one night and used Brownell's microbed to repair the fault, which held up nicely. I don't have record of the serial number but remember it came near the end of the series, some 3200(?) and test rifles didn't usually survive, they were tested to destruction...
    Regards, Jim

  4. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Contributing Member fjruple's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Last On
    10-29-2023 @ 04:38 AM
    Location
    New Jersey, USA
    Posts
    1,021
    Real Name
    Franklin Ruple
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    07:10 AM
    Jim-- While I like the M14icon rifle, I think the FN FAL was a better rifle. If it was not for the desk borne US Ordnance Department it would have been our primary service rifle.

  7. Thank You to fjruple For This Useful Post:


  8. #4
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:35 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,813
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    04:10 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by fjruple View Post
    If it was not for the desk borne US Ordnance Department
    I too believe it was a US loyalty thing..."Made in USAicon". Nothing wrong with that either. I carried the FN for 15 years, always loved the way the M14 handled.
    Regards, Jim

  9. #5
    Legacy Member Sunray's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    03-29-2021 @ 03:01 PM
    Location
    London, Ontario
    Posts
    1,053
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    07:10 AM
    The M-14 is just a repeat of JC's original M1icon Rifle design that had a 20 round mag. It was adopted for political reasons. The FN beat it in the tests in everything but accuracy. However, since it was a NIH issue, the U.S. government said, "Thou shalt adopt the American rifle." And it's still being argued about.
    Shot FAL's while in The Queen's Service and own a semi'd Winchester M-14 with the issue fiberglass stock. If I was given a choice and had to lug the thing around, it'd be the 14. The C1A1 is heavy and kind of awkward. If I was given a choice for fighting, it'd be a C2(That's a heavy barrel, select fire, box mag, LMG) and wouldn't care about the weight.
    Oh about 10 years after the M-14 and 7.62 was jammed down NATO's throat(there were other cartridges being developed), Secretary of Defense McNamara decided it would be replaced with the sexy M-16. That nobody at all wanted. And the 5.56 was jammed down NATO's throat.
    Spelling and Grammar count!

  10. #6
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:35 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,813
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    04:10 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Sunray View Post
    The C1A1 is heavy and kind of awkward.
    Not at all. You're just clumsy.
    Regards, Jim

  11. #7
    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last On
    Today @ 03:17 AM
    Location
    The wild west of England
    Posts
    3,401
    Real Name
    Mr Clark
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    12:10 PM
    I always liked the look of the T48, with its unique trigger guard...

    How many T48's survive I wonder?

  12. #8
    Legacy Member RCS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:56 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    4,314
    Real Name
    Robert Seccombe
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    06:10 AM
    Thread Starter
    There are about two dozen complete HRA T-48 rifles at the USMC weapons collection at Quantico, VA but not open for public view. There are others around too.

    When I wrote an article for Digest Books years ago on the T48 variations a man sent me a letter from north west Illinois stating he had a complete
    HRA T48 and registered it during the 1968 amnsty.

    Besides 7,62 caliber, there was a dozen HRA T48 rifles sent to Springfield Armory in 1956 and were rebarreled to 22/7,62mm and sent to
    Fort Benning for testing (that would be rare to find) this information came from Springfield Research records

  13. #9
    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last On
    Today @ 03:17 AM
    Location
    The wild west of England
    Posts
    3,401
    Real Name
    Mr Clark
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    12:10 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by RCS View Post
    There are about two dozen complete HRA T-48 rifles at the USMC weapons collection at Quantico, VA but not open for public view. There are others around too.

    When I wrote an article for Digest Books years ago on the T48 variations a man sent me a letter from north west Illinois stating he had a complete
    HRA T48 and registered it during the 1968 amnsty.

    Besides 7,62 caliber, there was a dozen HRA T48 rifles sent to Springfield Armory in 1956 and were rebarreled to 22/7,62mm and sent to
    Fort Benning for testing (that would be rare to find) this information came from Springfield Research records
    Cheers RCS, I remember seeing pictures of still in the wrap L1A1's in Quantico, love to have a browse around that collection!

  14. #10
    Legacy Member RCS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:56 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    4,314
    Real Name
    Robert Seccombe
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    06:10 AM
    Thread Starter
    I could never find out if any High Standard T48 rifles are still around ? nor could I ever find out which magazine the HS T48 used.

    The current data states there were only 12 High Standand T48 rifles manufactured but I have seen serial number HS 13 which
    was a special lightweight model. High Standard rifles were marked T48 while HRA rifles were marked T-48, FN were marked T.48

    Also not all the HRA T-48 rifles were selective fire, some were semi auto only

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Chafee Reece - Magazine Rifle Trials
    By rcathey in forum Other U.S. Service Rifles
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-19-2019, 08:41 AM
  2. 1933 Trials Rifle Rearsight & Magazine
    By waco16 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 32
    Last Post: 07-19-2015, 02:34 PM
  3. FN Trials magazine marked X2 E1
    By stencollector in forum FNFAL Rifles
    Replies: 32
    Last Post: 05-24-2012, 06:15 PM
  4. Classic GUNS Magazine Editions on-line FREE (1955 eidtions and onwards)
    By Badger in forum Milsurps General Discussion Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-30-2011, 02:33 PM
  5. Classic GUNS Magazine Editions on-line FREE (1955 issues and onwards)
    By Badger in forum Book and Video Review Corner
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-30-2011, 08:28 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks