Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The L42A1, introduced in 1970, represented the final evolution of Britain’s Lee-Enfield sniper rifles. Converted 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 new cartridge. Between 1970-1971, approximately 1,080 conversions were completed at Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield. The rifles retained their original actions but received modified magazines, new barrels, and shortened fore-ends. Each scope/rifle pair remained matched throughout service, transported in large wooden chests with cleaning supplies and observation equipment. The L42A1 served effectively in Northern Ireland, Oman, the Falklands War, and the first Gulf War. During the 1982 Falklands campaign, L42A1 snipers made significant contributions, particularly at the Battle of Goose Green. Though replaced by the Accuracy International L96 in 1985, some L42A1s were recalled for service as late as 2005 when newer rifles proved problematic in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Developed in the 1960s and deployed in the 1970s, the Enfield L42A1 was an upgrade of the Number 4 Mark I (T) sniper rifle. Configured for use with 7.62×51 NATO ammunition, fitted with a high pressure bolt head and hammer forged target barrel. Additionally, Model 32 Mark III scopes were also upgraded to match the new caliber. About half of the approximately 900 rifles made were condemned and destroyed post-service by the Ministry of Defense. Has standard sights and an import marked barrel. “19T” on top of the extractor assembly and bolt handle and “L42A1 D71” on the left side of the receiver. The old scope markings were lined out with the new NATO markings of “1240-99-963-2063/TEL.STRT.STG.L1A1/OS 2429 G.A.” engraved on the tube, the base numbered to match the rifle, and “289E” and “290E” on the rear and front rings respectively. Has a smooth stock with “24791” stamped into the top of the wrist, a hardwood cheekpiece mounted to the comb and a brass buttplate with trapdoor. Included with the rifle is a green painted hardwood shipping case with a L42A1/L1A1 nomenclature plate on the inside, green painted steel cleaning kit case with cleaning supplies, leather sling, Parker Hale wooden clearing rod, latching green metal scope case, lens brush and a collapsing brass spyglass in a leather case with shoulder strap.”
Lot 1664: Enfield L42A1 Rifle 7.62×51 Nato – Scarce Enfield Model L42A1 Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with Scope and Transport Case. (n.d.). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved December 27, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/65/1664/enfield-l42a1-rifle-762×51-nato.
