Parker Hale 1200TX marked Palma Trophy Match 1969

[BlackPowderBurner]

I recently picked up this rifle, a Parker Hale 1200 TX. I haven't had the luxury of shooting it yet (the road to my range has 4 feet of snow on it). My research on this rifle has been yielding very little information so I'm hoping you smart cookies can help me out, what exactly do I have here? Is this a military rifle? The roll mark "Palma Trophy Match 1969" has not appeared in any photographs of other rifles that I've found. What do you all think this is worth? It came with the two medals pictured, a couple commercial Parker Hale cleaning rods and a M1950 paratrooper rifle drop bag. Thanks



I've also posted this thread in the milsurp section of CGN for those folks feeling deja vu

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[CINDERS]

Nice pick up Gil Boyd is the go to man for the Parker Hales I have a 1200 Safari grade P H 22/250 with a Bartlein 1/12 TR 26" Brl they are an awesome piece of kit the action is way over the top for a 22/250 but I do not hesitate to have a go at crows out to 400-450m but that's the absolute limit in my mind. The rifle should be quite competitive as the stable mate I think submitted to the army for sniping was the M82 so Parker Hale have a good name for sturdiness and accuracy the only downer is it is controlled round feed so no dropping in a single like you can with a Rem-700.

[LondonEnfield]

Nothing special about the rifle, just a run-of-the-mill Parker-Hale 1200TX in factory standard condition with original barrel, although the Palma Match stamp is a unique touch. Nice medals though.

What's the disc set into the butt say on it? That isn't a standard feature.

The rearsight is a PH5E unit which is unique to the 1200TX thanks to its integral mounting block.

[limpetmine]

Nice rifle and great with the medals. Research the matches and see if you can find the shooter. I think the rifles were numbered to the participants. Been looking for one off and on. It's a neat little side road.

[Surpmil]

Shouldn't be too hard to find info on the gent named on the medal as it says he was the team adjutant.

[Frederick303]

I have an interest in these. Could I ask what the serial number is , including the prefix (less the last serial digit)

Does it have the magazine or the single shot set up?

As for the background, they were bought for the 1969 Palma match in Canada. The 1966 matches use an M14 at Camp Perry, the 1967 matches used a No 4 in 7.62 NATO in Canada at Connaught, the 1968 used M70 Winchester rifles in the US of A and the 1970 matches were held in England and used the 7.62 Envoy (based on the No 4)

In 1967 and 1969 used C21 ball ammo, which was a 146 grain bullet at around 2850 out of a 24 inch barrel, on a IVI case. The powder was similar to IMR 4475.

The rifles were issued by lot to the various teams that came to shoot, and at the end of the matches to competitors were allowed to purchase their arms if they wanted.

[Gil Boyd]

Well if it helps, it is worth preserving as one of only a handful produced as Parker Hale 1200TX's inscribed with "Palma Trophy Match 1969" at 7.62 NATO level.

Agreed there are hundreds of 1200TX's out there in a variety of conditions, but the rifle shown has certainly been well looked after and probably a tidy barrel to boot.

My advice when these come along is to grip it with both hands, treasure the British Craftsmanship in a fine rifle in the knowledge that in another 10 years you will see where the value takes you!!!

[Peter Laidler]

Go through The Army List of 1969, both Canadian and British, and Capt or Major Dunlop will/should appear and that should start the history ball rolling

[CINDERS]

I kept the chamber end and @12" of the original barrel from my PH 22/250 as the richness of the bluing they got I have not seen on the commercial rifles one buys today as I am only a sandwich shooter and cannot afford the caviar types some can like Holland & Hollands, Purdey & Rigby's whose bluing would perhaps be better but at a high price. Nope PH's were very nicely figured that way.

[Peter5761]

I Have a 1200TX also,I use 308 win cases 158g heads and 38.1g N140 removed the horrible brown shiny stain and lacquer,Just finished it with Danish oil.