British Handguards Markings/Cartouches

G3isMe · August 02, 2012, 22:21

I have a couple of pairs of British L1A1 solid wood handguards with a couple pairs having marks I've not seen before. In the first photo is a typical "B" followed by a 4-digit date marked pair, while the second picture shows the other pair with what looks like a "D" followed by only a 2-digit date. Both pairs also have the British arrow marks. I've learned the "B" is for BSA, what is the "D" marking? I've heard possibly an Enfield mark? Also, to the purists, I'm not sure if "cartouche" is the correct term for these markings, so please don't ream me to hard if it isn't. So, what can you folks tell me about these "D" marked handguards?
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**def90** · August 02, 2012, 22:27

that is the normal Enfield mark. the number is the year.

G3isMe · August 02, 2012, 22:29

Great, thanks as I've never seen those before. These are my first pairs of Enfields. I had planned on selling them in the Marketplace but I may have to change my mind and keep them now.
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enbloc8 · August 05, 2012, 08:48

If you ever see handguards marked with an "F", that's ROF Fazakerley. They made most of the parts for L1A1s, but never produced complete rifles.

adbm3 · August 05, 2012, 15:07

Does anyone know what the "INT 21" marked on the inside of L1A1 handguards means?

G3isMe · August 05, 2012, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by adbm3

Does anyone know what the "INT 21" marked on the inside of L1A1 handguards means?

I don't know, but I have only seen two pairs of Aussie solid wood handguards that had alpha-numeric markings on the inside. I sold both of them here on the market.

**def90** · August 05, 2012, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by adbm3

Does anyone know what the "INT 21" marked on the inside of L1A1 handguards means?

Would need to see a pic to get an idea.. could just be a mark put in there by a soldier or local armorer. I can't say that I remember ever seeing anything marked inside of handguards other than an occasional scribble in pencil.

adbm3 · August 05, 2012, 20:44

nah, these letters are definitely molded in. I got them NOS recently from pintoshite.

G3isMe · August 05, 2012, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by def90

Would need to see a pic to get an idea.. could just be a mark put in there by a soldier or local armorer. I can't say that I remember ever seeing anything marked inside of handguards other than an occasional scribble in pencil.

def90, here are the pairs which I had and recently sold here on the market. Both of these pairs were I assume Australian but they were not marked as such. The first pair is marked on the inside "77 48" and the numbers were deeply stamped into the wood. The second pair is marked "6518128" on the inside and also deeply embossed into the wood.

NZ L1A1 Collector · August 06, 2012, 14:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by adbm3

Does anyone know what the "INT 21" marked on the inside of L1A1 handguards means?

Are these Black Plastic Handguards?

adbm3 · August 06, 2012, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ L1A1 Collector

Are these Black Plastic Handguards?

yes they are, sorry for the confusion.

NZ L1A1 Collector · August 06, 2012, 23:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by adbm3

yes they are, sorry for the confusion.

INT 21 is a late Manufacturer of British Plastics (Probably from the 80's). I have also seen it on the Black Carrying Handles. I'm not exactly sure who 'INT' is.

adbm3 · August 07, 2012, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ L1A1 Collector

INT 21 is a late Manufacturer of British Plastics (Probably from the 80's). I have also seen it on the Black Carrying Handles. I'm not exactly sure who 'INT' is.

Yes, "INT" is clearly molded on the carry handle stub. Thanks for the info.

G3isMe · August 07, 2012, 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ L1A1 Collector

INT 21 is a late Manufacturer of British Plastics (Probably from the 80's). I have also seen it on the Black Carrying Handles. I'm not exactly sure who 'INT' is.

NZ, have you ever seen markings on the inside of wood handguards like those shown in my photos?

August 02, 2012, 22:21	#1
G3isMe Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 6530 Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,752	British Handguards Markings/Cartouches I have a couple of pairs of British L1A1 solid wood handguards with a couple pairs having marks I've not seen before. In the first photo is a typical "B" followed by a 4-digit date marked pair, while the second picture shows the other pair with what looks like a "D" followed by only a 2-digit date. Both pairs also have the British arrow marks. I've learned the "B" is for BSA, what is the "D" marking? I've heard possibly an Enfield mark? Also, to the purists, I'm not sure if "cartouche" is the correct term for these markings, so please don't ream me to hard if it isn't. So, what can you folks tell me about these "D" marked handguards? . . . Test_01.jpg Test_02.jpg Test_04.jpg Test_03.jpg __________________ "I believe that time wounds all heels" ----John Lennon Last edited by G3isMe; August 02, 2012 at 22:27.

August 02, 2012, 22:27	#2
def90 Old Fart Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 50609 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The Peoples' Republic of Boulder, Colorado Posts: 8,837	that is the normal Enfield mark. the number is the year. __________________ There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Chuck Norris allows to live. Public libraries cannot let the public decide what is allowed in the library, or it would be brimming with pornography and gun magazines.

August 02, 2012, 22:29	#3
G3isMe Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 6530 Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,752	Great, thanks as I've never seen those before. These are my first pairs of Enfields. I had planned on selling them in the Marketplace but I may have to change my mind and keep them now. . . __________________ "I believe that time wounds all heels" ----John Lennon

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August 05, 2012, 08:48	#4
enbloc8 Registered FALaholic #: 51665 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 821	If you ever see handguards marked with an "F", that's ROF Fazakerley. They made most of the parts for L1A1s, but never produced complete rifles.

August 05, 2012, 15:07	#5
adbm3 Registered FALaholic #: 61973 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Danville, California Posts: 145	Does anyone know what the "INT 21" marked on the inside of L1A1 handguards means?

August 05, 2012, 20:44	#8
adbm3 Registered FALaholic #: 61973 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Danville, California Posts: 145	nah, these letters are definitely molded in. I got them NOS recently from pintoshite.