Singapore Police Lithgow .22 dedicated L1A1

[mrclark303]

Afternoon all,

So, apparently a Singapore Police training rifle, Lithgow L1A1 marked on the left hand side L12A1 and apparently delivered as such....

Obviously British plastic, with an 8 slot New Zealand pattern handguard (that I am still bloody searching for!!!)

I like to pride myself as having a pretty well rounded knowledge of the L1A1 and this is news to me...


https://www.enfieldguns.com/l12a1-22lr


Opinions please Gents.....

[browningautorifle]

I can't speak to it's originality but I sure used enough of them with the kits installed, that would be so nice...except the price. Absolutely stunning price. Hope it's original for that.

[mrclark303]

I can't speak to it's originality but I sure used enough of them with the kits installed, that would be so nice...except the price. Absolutely stunning price. Hope it's original for that.

Hi Jim, I use my L12A1 kit in both of my L1's, always fun...

[Peter Laidler]

The seller has misunderstood something I fear.............

The L12 designation was the designation of the sub calibre KIT and not the rifle. There was NEVER a designation of RIFLE, .22" L12. THAT L12 rifle designation WAS THE PRESERVE OF A SPECIALLY ADAPTED SHOTGUN. And what I see doesn't look much like a specially adapted shotgun..........! The L12 kit was KIT, conversion 0.22" calibre, L12A1 for 7.62mm rifle..

That is only my view based on nothing more than my bit-part experience, the EMER, the parts list and the L12 user handbook.

We did have rifles with the kit permanently fitted, caused by the .22" barrel bulging and jamming solid in the 7.62 bore. These were still on charge as a rifle but relegated to indoor training (or out door poaching on the training areas.....) but with a red band around the handguards and all unnecessary parts, such as gas parts and return springs stripped from them. When this occurred, the now .22" rifle was retained IF THE REQUIREMENT EXISTS and a new rifle issued as a replacement. Alas, when the L1A1's were called in for replacement by the L85, these .22" rifles seemed to languish in the backs of armouries or Armourers shops until someone decided what to do with them.

[mrclark303]

Cheers Peter, I've bashed through my Fal books and all my Lithgow information and can find no reference what so ever to any Lithgow factory .22 L1A1.

I'm starting to smell the whiff of something, but I'll hang fire and wait for Fal 'Guru' Kev Adams to pitch in on specific Singapore contract info.

[mrclark303]

Starting to drill into this, the seller states

"The Heckler & Koch .22LR bolt kits were used as Heckler & Koch was owned at that time by R.S.A.F Enfield which was 100% owned by the British Government."

Let's then consider that the rifle was manufactured in 1968 and British Aerospace bought HK in 1991??????

Moving on, why has it got two SPF numbers, one on the receiver and one on the TMH?

I don't believe I've ever seen an SPF number on the receiver before either ??????....

Hmmm

[browningautorifle]

out door poaching on the training areas

Yep...

[mrclark303]

Yep...

I seem to recall your stories of rock'n'roll C1's and .22 kits out on the prairie Jim!

I assume you were laying waste to the local wildlife with a C2 Jim, or did you pop the giggle lever and short plunger into your C1?

[browningautorifle]

laying waste to the local wildlife

Mostly gophers but a few duck and the odd Canada Goose or grouse, rabbits... Just a C1A1 on auto with the sub cal, a proper conversion. They sure used up the ammo quick.

[bigduke6]

Hmm, need to check my part kit L1A1’s John, as one of them has a SP TMH but am sure retains original serial number.

Must admit I can’t see any evidence on the upper of original designation being linished…….but out of curiosity I blew the dust off my conversion kit box, as Peter states:

Conversion kit 7.62mm millimetre rifle .22 inch calibre L12A1
Is on the inside label..