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L8 rifles in civilian hands
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 3:51 am
by rufrdr
Does anyone own an actual government issue L8 series rifle? I've seen (and owned) put togethers using various issue and aftermarket bits but I haven't spoken to anyone who has the real deal. I saw an ad in a German shooting magazine some years ago that appeared to advertise L8 rifles but there wasn't any detail or photos.
If you have one can you post a photo or two? I'm a 7.62 Lee Enfield fan. I have two and had another that I sold for a tidy sum. Two of them used Canadian DCRA barrels and the third an A.J. Parker barrel.
Re: L8 rifles in civilian hands
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 5:07 pm
by Rearlugs
They're extremely rare. The only one I've seen in UK was rebuilt from a bare receiver, all the rest have been fakes of one sort or another. IIRC the few L8 rifles that were released were sold in Germany in the 1980s. You have to be very careful about buying an L8, as all sorts of creations are now in circulation....
Re: L8 rifles in civilian hands
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:04 pm
by Dr. Strangelove
Forgive my ignorance - what markings would an L8 have on it? I don't have a copy of Skennerton's book...
Re: L8 rifles in civilian hands
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:13 pm
by Watcher
I think the New Zealand military released quite a few not so long ago. In the UK most are still in service with the cadets.
Re: L8 rifles in civilian hands
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 11:04 am
by Rearlugs
Watcher wrote:I think the New Zealand military released quite a few not so long ago. In the UK most are still in service with the cadets.
The L8A1 series of 7.62mm No4 rifles were never accepted for UK military service; thus they were never produced except for a few trials batches, and were not issued to any units. IIRC even .303 No4s were withdrawn from service - including cadet issue - nearly twenty years ago. Cadets currently receive the L98 series rifle.
L8A1/2/3 rifles should conform the the standard rifle marking methods of the time - i.e. the designation written in pantographed electro-pencil, with the old .303 designation barred out with straight lines. Finish would be baked suncorite. Any other type of finish or engraving/ stamping would be suspect.
Re: L8 rifles in civilian hands
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 11:35 am
by Watcher
Watcher wrote:I think the New Zealand military released quite a few not so long ago. In the UK most are still in service with the cadets.
I think I may be talking bo**ocks here; thinking of the No. 8; sorry!
Re: L8 rifles in civilian hands
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 1:05 pm
by dave_303
Rearlugs wrote:Watcher wrote:I think the New Zealand military released quite a few not so long ago. In the UK most are still in service with the cadets.
The L8A1 series of 7.62mm No4 rifles were never accepted for UK military service; thus they were never produced except for a few trials batches, and were not issued to any units. IIRC even .303 No4s were withdrawn from service - including cadet issue - nearly twenty years ago. Cadets currently receive the L98 series rifle.
L8A1/2/3 rifles should conform the the standard rifle marking methods of the time - i.e. the designation written in pantographed electro-pencil, with the old .303 designation barred out with straight lines. Finish would be baked suncorite. Any other type of finish or engraving/ stamping would be suspect.
I had a old friend once said he had a 7.62 L8 which confused me abit, it was eventually given/bough by the infantry school of arms in warminster, explains why they pestered him for 2 years to get it now