L4 BREN

[Chris Hall]

They were still scrapping war reserve L4s about 5 years ago and they may still be clearing out but they must still hold reserve stock of in service weapons such as L85. Every time we destroy one, a replacement always rocks up.

[Chris Hall]

4 hours ago, andym said:

My deac SMG has a KR prefix and a smooth finish.

Andy

Is that a New Zealand gun by chance?

[Chris Hall]

4 hours ago, 43rdrecce said:

Here is an interesting press photo from a sequence taken in 1972. Crackle finish paint on this L2A3.

Ferretfixer may be able to confirm this, but I think that gun has the crackle finish as it’s not an L2A3. It could be a training installation as I think that gun is an L2A2.

[andym]

1 hour ago, Chris Hall said:

Is that a New Zealand gun by chance?

I'm not sure Chris, trying to remember which dealer I bought it from.  It was a while ago now and it doesn't always get used for what you might think!  🙂

Andy

Edited May 22, 2020 by andym

[REME 245]

Whats going to happen all the DP weapons the Cadet Forces had to hand in last year.   Scrap I assume.

Presumably the .22 Rifles which they only aquired abour 3 years ago which have also been withdrawn will be sold as not real military weapons.

 

[Chris Hall]

I understand there’s a bit of debate going on regarding the .22 rifles.

 

not sure on the DP rifles but there are other issues with some rifles in cadet hands. Some are owned by the Cadets and not the MOD so that’s another can of worms for them to sort out.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Chris Hall

[43rdrecce]

4 hours ago, Chris Hall said:

Ferretfixer may be able to confirm this, but I think that gun has the crackle finish as it’s not an L2A3. It could be a training installation as I think that gun is an L2A2.

Chris,

I don't know, the photos show various weapons, L1A1 with SUIT sight, IWS, riot gear etc. Said to have been taken in Northern Ireland but not sure of the location. The captions are a bit vague. 

[Chris Hall]

I suppose they could have still been issuing the A2 but I I would have expected it to have been withdrawn from service as there were only something like 4000 made. If you compare the trigger and the folding button to the A3 you will see they are different.

[ferretfixer]

On 5/22/2020 at 9:57 AM, 43rdrecce said:

Here is an interesting press photo from a sequence taken in 1972. Crackle finish paint on this L2A3.

That is NOT an L2A3. it is the earlier L2A2. Note: the trigger shape is different to an L2A3. & also the Folding butt is Different.

The L2A2 Butts will NOT fit the l2A3! You will observe in the above pic. A rib pressed in the side. The L2A3 doe NOT have this.

The reason the butts are not interchangeable is. The trunnions are in Different positions on L2A2's to L2A3's.

Edited May 23, 2020 by ferretfixer

[ferretfixer]

23 hours ago, Chris Hall said:

Ferretfixer may be able to confirm this, but I think that gun has the crackle finish as it’s not an L2A3. It could be a training installation as I think that gun is an L2A2.

These Photo's were taken in the School of Infantry at Warminster. Now the 'Land warfare centre'. I was stationed on strength there for three years in the eighties.

The Soldier is posing standing approx. 30 Feet up from the Main Armoury. on the Road that runs parallel with the square behind him. Later & today used as a car Park.

Also the building behind him is now the support weapons building. & has a 120mm Conbat standing outside now.

Edited May 23, 2020 by ferretfixer

[ferretfixer]

On 5/22/2020 at 8:30 AM, Chris Hall said:

British contract L2A3s only ever had a Sunc finish and have different markings to the commercial offerings. The serial numbers are also US or UF prefixed rather than the commercial KR or S prefix. Some MOD spares were salvaged from broken up commercial guns (because the commercial gun was not to UK spec) but I believe they were refinished to MOD spec.

Not quite correct chris. I have inspected, repaired & modified many Hundred's of thousands of SMGs during my Time in Service. I recall through the 70,s-80,s. A vast number had the crackle finish & were L2A3 spec. these were the original weapons bought by the MOD direct from sterling. They only lost that finish when going back to field workshops when the finish was very worn. Known as 'Rust Proofing'. Or 'Parkerising'. when all component's were degreased, vapour blasted & then Zinc Chromate (Parkerising) Finished. They were sprayed with Suncorite 259 heat resistant finish paint. & baked in a specialist over for 30 mins. For the finish to harden. then ALL components & Receiver's were dipped in in OX18 Oil & reassembled.

The L2A3's that the MOD manufactured illegally without a Licence from STERLING Armament co in Dagenham. Did not have the crackle finish from the off. There are books on the debacle with Sterling & the MOD. Where Sterling quite rightly sued the MOD & won Compensation. It Nearly Crippled David Holroyd who Owned Sterling at the time!.....

That is why the STERLING magazine is a different profile / shape to the MOD issue versions. The MOD version is different in profile to avoid Patent infringement. & thus the Crafty MOD got away manufacturing many, many, Hundreds of thousands of magazines. Without having to pay STERLING Royalties!.....