Welcome to at this time’s Picture of the Day! The L42A1, launched in 1970, represented the ultimate evolution of Britain’s Lee-Enfield sniper rifles. Transformed from WWII-era No.4 Mk.I(T) .303 rifles, these 7.62x51mm NATO weapons featured free-floating 27.5-inch hammer-forged barrels and refurbished No.32 Mk.III scopes recalibrated for the brand new cartridge. Between 1970-1971, roughly 1,080 conversions have been accomplished at Royal Small Arms Manufacturing unit Enfield. The rifles retained their authentic actions however acquired modified magazines, new barrels, and shortened fore-ends. Every scope/rifle pair remained matched all through service, transported in massive picket chests with cleansing provides and remark tools. The L42A1 served successfully in Northern Eire, Oman, the Falklands Warfare, and the primary Gulf Warfare. In the course of the 1982 Falklands marketing campaign, L42A1 snipers made important contributions, notably on the Battle of Goose Inexperienced. Although changed by the Accuracy Worldwide L96 in 1985, some L42A1s have been recalled for service as late as 2005 when newer rifles proved problematic in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Developed within the Nineteen Sixties and deployed within the Nineteen Seventies, the Enfield L42A1 was an improve of the Quantity 4 Mark I (T) sniper rifle. Configured to be used with 7.62×51 NATO ammunition, fitted with a excessive stress bolt head and hammer solid goal barrel. Moreover, Mannequin 32 Mark III scopes have been additionally upgraded to match the brand new caliber. About half of the roughly 900 rifles made have been condemned and destroyed post-service by the Ministry of Protection. Has customary sights and an import marked barrel. “19T” on high of the extractor meeting and bolt deal with and “L42A1 D71” on the left facet of the receiver. The outdated scope markings have been lined out with the brand new NATO markings of “1240-99-963-2063/TEL.STRT.STG.L1A1/OS 2429 G.A.” engraved on the tube, the bottom numbered to match the rifle, and “289E” and “290E” on the rear and entrance rings respectively. Has a easy inventory with “24791” stamped into the highest of the wrist, a hardwood cheekpiece mounted to the comb and a brass buttplate with trapdoor. Included with the rifle is a inexperienced painted hardwood transport case with a L42A1/L1A1 nomenclature plate on the within, inexperienced painted metal cleansing package case with cleansing provides, leather-based sling, Parker Hale picket clearing rod, latching inexperienced steel scope case, lens brush and a collapsing brass spyglass in a leather-based case with shoulder strap.”
Lot 1664: Enfield L42A1 Rifle 7.62×51 Nato – Scarce Enfield Mannequin L42A1 Bolt Motion Sniper Rifle with Scope and Transport Case. (n.d.). Rock Island Public sale Firm. {photograph}. Retrieved December 27, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/element/65/1664/enfield-l42a1-rifle-762×51-nato.
