Lee-Enfield L42A1 Sniper Rifle

Lee-Enfield L42A1 Sniper Rifle. Bolt action receiver stamped L42AI D70 and on the wrist M47C 1944, the serial number and TR. This rifle has a telescopic sight marked 1240-99-963-2063 TEL.STRT.STG.LIAI. OS2429 GA.Serial Number 26138. The mounting bracket and the magazine have the serial number of the rifle.

This rifle was one of 12 brought into Australia for evaluation trials at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory. The L42A1 is the final conversion of the No 4 action for specialist use. Generally these rifles were converted from Lee-Enfield No 4 (T) rifles and rebarreled to 7.62 NATO for sniper use. The rifles served with the British Army from the early 1970's until the late 1980's until replaced by the L96 rifle. They saw service in Northern Ireland, the Middle East and lastly in the Falklands War in 1982 where the need for a new sniper rifle became apparent. In Australia a small number were used as trials rifles, the outcome of which eventually was the adoption of the Parker Hale L82 rifle topped with a Zeiss 6 power scope. Rifle, scope and ancillary equipment schedule contained in wood rifle case. Each sniper was issued with a rifle case which contained all the necessary operational equipment.