"L8A5" for sale....

[enbloc8]

I came across this and just had to post it here:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/924394882

"Converted at the unit level" including a barrel change (?!), no added markings on the body reflecting its new configuration...and that's just for starters....

Information

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[Alan de Enfield]

It is amazing how many times you see :

Provenance: From The Bob Farris Collection.

This guy must had had more firearms than the British Military

[22SqnRAE]

"Lee-Enfield L8A5 Rifle, 7.62x51mm NATO L1A1 FAL M14 Enfield"

Well, we're missing:

1. Tactical
2. British
3. Sniper
4. Assault
5. Unissued

I'm surprised the catalogue editors allowed this past thier eagle eyes...

[Tom in N.J.]

IMHO the "England" on the receiver is a U.S., pre 1968, import stamp.

[Warren]

Bob Faris DID HAVE more weapons than the British Army.
It was known in the collecting circle as Pattern Room USA
He got a lot of stuff that was out of the ordinary, to put it mildly and had contacts all over the world.

[P0H0]

Almost had me there — I am waiting for the M16 variant.

[limpetmine]

What's interesting is that this 1945 Long Branch is only the second serial number in 1945. Right there at the date change. Not that it means anything, just that it's a neat data point.

1944 84L1526 1*
1945 84L6113 1*
1945 84L6591 1* Bob Farris collection. No8 Mk1/3 .308 conversion. Not marked. Starting bid 4k. 2/17/22
1945 84L6823 1* MKIII
1945 84L9304 1/3 FLIP

[Promo]

It is amazing how many times you see :
Provenance: From The Bob Farris Collection.
This guy must had had more firearms than the British Military

Checked the Faris Collection writeup that Ian did, the description is indeed correct. Rifle #84L6591 was part of Faris collection, Tag No. 210.


But worth mentioning in this context, the rifle was described by Skennerton as "7.62mm Rifle No.4 Mk I* Long Branch, Rifle Club. And by back then it was pictured and described with PH-4 folding backsight to 1000 yds with micrometer windage & elevation. Additionally mentioned are Sterling charger guide adaptor, CR141A (L42A1) magazine Enfield 1965. Rifle is described to be British export proof marked and having a commercially proofed barrel.

[Alan de Enfield]

Rifle is described to be British export proof marked and having a commercially proofed barrel.

I wouldn't have expected a "military armourer at unit level" to have had access to a commercial proofed barrel, and the UK doesn't 'export mark' the firearms but the receiving country often marks the with import markings showing where they came from.

The ENGLAND mark commonly found in the USA and is considered by many to be an England EXPORT marking is in fact a pre-1968 import requirement by the US authorities.

There is a saying - "buy the rifle not the story".

[enbloc8]

I think what I find most amusing about the sales pitch is seeing the phrases "results from the L8 program were uninspiring", and "undoubtedly a superior shooter", in the same paragraph.