New Zealand Made L1A1 Items Display

NZ L1A1 Collector · August 08, 2012, 17:00

Here's a display I put on over the weekend consisting of New Zealand made items for the L1A1 rifle and unique L1A1 ownership markings. Thought you might be interested to see.

The Rifle and Bayonet are marked with New Zealand Ownership markings N /|\Z and the Butt is one of the RNZAF Brass butt disk butts for Wigram Air Base

New Zealand produced a number of its own parts/accessories, mainly to reduce the costs of purchasing original spares from Australia.

Combinatioin Tool
Pullthrough
Oil Bottle
Cleaning Kit Rolls
Plastic Handguards
Rear Sling Swivel
Plastic Carrying Handles (Green and Brown)
Brown Plastic Pistol Grip
Is there a Brown Plastic Butt hiding out there somewhere??????

NEWFNL1A1 · August 08, 2012, 17:08

Very cool! Thank you!

**Thorack** · August 08, 2012, 17:37

Wow,

Cool kit!! I'm amazed that the brown pistol grip and carry handle were found in the States. Its great to be worlds old arms dumping ground.

How often were the neoprene carry handle inserts used? The pics of NZ SAS personnel in Afghanistan carrying SLRs showed they had no carry handles, when did the start pulling off carry handles?

Thorack

**def90** · August 08, 2012, 17:50

What's the story with the yellow/green handguards?

NZ L1A1 Collector · August 08, 2012, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thorack

Wow,

Cool kit!! I'm amazed that the brown pistol grip and carry handle were found in the States. Its great to be worlds old arms dumping ground.

How often were the neoprene carry handle inserts used? The pics of NZ SAS personnel in Afghanistan carrying SLRs showed they had no carry handles, when did the start pulling off carry handles?

Thorack

It doesn't surprise me they were found in the US. Approx. 7000+ rifles were ship there, maybe more. We only had 15,000 to start with and only about 2000 of them stayed in New Zealand

The neoprene washer was a NZ Army modification put in place on the 2nd Oct 1980. All L1A1 rifles were to have their carrying handles removed and replaced with the neoprene washer. All Plastic handles were to be returned to Base Supply and the wood handles were to be destroyed.

The SAS were using the best of what the Navy had left of the Ship Line Throwing L1A1 Rifles.

NZ L1A1 Collector · August 08, 2012, 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by def90

What's the story with the yellow/green handguards?

The Yellow handguards are the initial evaluation handguards. They have a smooth finish.

d_s · August 08, 2012, 23:54

Cool stuff, I have always been a fan of the NZ top vented pebble grain handguards

Spartatus · August 09, 2012, 16:13

Did New Zealand ever produce the entire rifles?

NZ L1A1 Collector · August 09, 2012, 23:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartatus

Did New Zealand ever produce the entire rifles?

No, we purchased our 15,000 rifles from SAF Lithgow. It was just late in the piece we made replacement parts because it was cheaper to do so.

The rifles we got were just whatever was coming off the production line at the time, there were no 'special' New Zealand pattern rifles.

**Thorack** · August 10, 2012, 09:32

Well,

There may not have been a New Zealand pattern, but a chromelined Lithgow SLR with Brit and NZ plastics is the pinnacle of inch rifles, in my opinion.

Thorack

**MajHenryWest** · August 10, 2012, 12:17

What can you tell us about the orange colour cleaning kit pouch?

Thank You.

d_s · August 10, 2012, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thorack

Well,

There may not have been a New Zealand pattern, but a chromelined Lithgow SLR with Brit and NZ plastics is the pinnacle of inch rifles, in my opinion.

Thorack

Definitely can't argue with that, +1

NZ L1A1 Collector · August 10, 2012, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajHenryWest

What can you tell us about the orange colour cleaning kit pouch?

Thank You.

As far as I know it was made by the NZ Army's Textile Section at Trentham Camp in Upper Hutt, it was one of 6 found in a plastic bag that was buried at the bottom of a pallet of cleaning kits and miscellaneous gear that was sold off by the army in the early 90's. Believed to be for the Navy's Line Throwing L1A1 Rifle. Might have only been a trial samples of 6?

This is unconfirmed, But I would like to hear from any NZ Sailors that have used the Line Throwing rifles on any of the RNZN ships.

NZ L1A1 Collector · August 10, 2012, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thorack

Well,

There may not have been a New Zealand pattern, but a chromelined Lithgow SLR with Brit and NZ plastics is the pinnacle of inch rifles, in my opinion.

Thorack

We had very few chromed line bore rifles in service (180 rifles), 99.9% of our rifles were purchased before a chromed bore became standard in 1965. We purchased the following rifles in 1965 (100), 1968 (50), 1969 (30) I believe the rifles purchased in 1968/1969 were most likely replacements for rifles lost during the Vietnam War.

A typical NZ Service rifle would be a mix of British plastics and wood furniture, no carrying handle, well worn or flogged out condition

OR an Un-issued, un-modified War Reserve 1964 dated rifle.

Growler Gator · August 10, 2012, 21:37

I like the yellow handguards. An 18 volt Dewalt L1A1 would be cool.

BC · August 11, 2012, 08:11

I'll feel very content with that 2 L1A1.

How many rifles were purchased in 1964? Have you got a picture of the neoprene washer? Thanks.

NZ L1A1 Collector · August 11, 2012, 16:29

According to Skennerton's records:-
1959 500 Rifles
1960 500 Rifles
1961 4100 Rifles
1962 5100 Rifles
1963 3005 Rifles
1964 2198 Rifles
1965 100 Rifles
1968 50 Rifles
1969 30 Rifles

There seems to be some discrepancies with 1963/1964 figures I think they should probably read 3000 and 2200. But the numbers listed are taken directly from the lists in the book.

Black Oil Resistant Neoprene Washer, 18 mm x 9 mm x 5 mm (purchased from local civilian supplies). Thanx BC

BC · August 11, 2012, 19:17

I've found your old post: Washer, Neoprene, Oil Resistant, Black, 18 mm x 9 mm x 5 mm

Unfortunately, to find a washer in this size or close enough seems to be a problem now. What was it made for originally?

enbloc8 · August 12, 2012, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ L1A1 Collector

A typical NZ Service rifle would be a mix of British plastics and wood furniture, no carrying handle, well worn or flogged out condition

Am I correct the colors should also be a mix of parkerized major parts and a few black-paint-finished small parts?

**Abominog** · August 12, 2012, 17:51

OMG I love that brown carry handle.

NZ L1A1 Collector · August 13, 2012, 03:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by enbloc8

Am I correct the colors should also be a mix of parkerized major parts and a few black-paint-finished small parts?

Correct, The standard for refurbishment was to be phosphated and then any new parts added would be how the factory had finished them phosphated or black, what ever was in the spares box. Ohhh and add to that a splattering of British marked spare parts.

August 08, 2012, 17:00	#1
NZ L1A1 Collector Moderator & Collectaholic FALaholic #: 45 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,879	New Zealand Made L1A1 Items Display Here's a display I put on over the weekend consisting of New Zealand made items for the L1A1 rifle and unique L1A1 ownership markings. Thought you might be interested to see. The Rifle and Bayonet are marked with New Zealand Ownership markings N /\|\Z and the Butt is one of the RNZAF Brass butt disk butts for Wigram Air Base New Zealand produced a number of its own parts/accessories, mainly to reduce the costs of purchasing original spares from Australia. Combinatioin Tool Pullthrough Oil Bottle Cleaning Kit Rolls Plastic Handguards Rear Sling Swivel Plastic Carrying Handles (Green and Brown) Brown Plastic Pistol Grip Is there a Brown Plastic Butt hiding out there somewhere?????? __________________ Rifle, 7.62 mm, L1A1 Collector & Researcher. NEW ZEALAND

August 08, 2012, 17:08	#2
NEWFNL1A1 Out standing in his field Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 43401 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tx Posts: 3,192	Very cool! Thank you! __________________ Neo-Luddite - Traigo Mi Cuarenta y Cinco - Inch Guy I'm just a peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many hours on Call of Duty.

August 08, 2012, 17:37	#3
Thorack Acquisition Corp Dude Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 748 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Omaha, Nebraska, USA Posts: 5,591	Wow, Cool kit!! I'm amazed that the brown pistol grip and carry handle were found in the States. Its great to be worlds old arms dumping ground. How often were the neoprene carry handle inserts used? The pics of NZ SAS personnel in Afghanistan carrying SLRs showed they had no carry handles, when did the start pulling off carry handles? Thorack __________________ 1. Whenever you are talking to a woman realize this person was born insane and you will never be surprised. 2. Never let Doctors cut on you unless its life or death and ALWAYS get a second opinion.

August 08, 2012, 17:50	#4
def90 Old Fart Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 50609 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The Peoples' Republic of Boulder, Colorado Posts: 8,805	What's the story with the yellow/green handguards? __________________ 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 10, 2012, 09:32	#10
Thorack Acquisition Corp Dude Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 748 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Omaha, Nebraska, USA Posts: 5,591	Well, There may not have been a New Zealand pattern, but a chromelined Lithgow SLR with Brit and NZ plastics is the pinnacle of inch rifles, in my opinion. Thorack __________________ 1. Whenever you are talking to a woman realize this person was born insane and you will never be surprised. 2. Never let Doctors cut on you unless its life or death and ALWAYS get a second opinion.

August 08, 2012, 23:54	#7
d_s Registered FALaholic #: 5575 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 706	Cool stuff, I have always been a fan of the NZ top vented pebble grain handguards

August 09, 2012, 16:13	#8
Spartatus Registered FALaholic #: 64333 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 193	Did New Zealand ever produce the entire rifles?

August 10, 2012, 12:17	#11
MajHenryWest Senior Member Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 11906 Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 656	What can you tell us about the orange colour cleaning kit pouch? Thank You. __________________ ****************************** "Steel is Strong because it Knows the Hammer and White Heat." - Johnny Cash, These Things Shall Pass

August 10, 2012, 21:37	#15
Growler Gator Registered FALaholic #: 17677 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 594	I like the yellow handguards. An 18 volt Dewalt L1A1 would be cool. __________________ Adam Growler Gator...the FALligator

August 11, 2012, 08:11	#16
BC Registered FALaholic #: 752 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: cc Posts: 2,298	I'll feel very content with that 2 L1A1. How many rifles were purchased in 1964? Have you got a picture of the neoprene washer? Thanks. Last edited by BC; August 11, 2012 at 08:23.

August 11, 2012, 16:29	#17
NZ L1A1 Collector Moderator & Collectaholic FALaholic #: 45 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,879	According to Skennerton's records:- 1959 500 Rifles 1960 500 Rifles 1961 4100 Rifles 1962 5100 Rifles 1963 3005 Rifles 1964 2198 Rifles 1965 100 Rifles 1968 50 Rifles 1969 30 Rifles There seems to be some discrepancies with 1963/1964 figures I think they should probably read 3000 and 2200. But the numbers listed are taken directly from the lists in the book. Black Oil Resistant Neoprene Washer, 18 mm x 9 mm x 5 mm (purchased from local civilian supplies). Thanx BC __________________ Rifle, 7.62 mm, L1A1 Collector & Researcher. NEW ZEALAND Last edited by NZ L1A1 Collector; August 11, 2012 at 19:43.

August 11, 2012, 19:17	#18
BC Registered FALaholic #: 752 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: cc Posts: 2,298	I've found your old post: Washer, Neoprene, Oil Resistant, Black, 18 mm x 9 mm x 5 mm Unfortunately, to find a washer in this size or close enough seems to be a problem now. What was it made for originally? Last edited by BC; August 12, 2012 at 05:43.

August 12, 2012, 17:51	#20
Abominog Old Fart Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 372 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Finger Lakes, NY Posts: 6,543	OMG I love that brown carry handle. __________________ They will live a long time, these men of the South Pacific. They, like their victories, will be remembered as long as our generation lives. Longer and longer shadows will obscure them, until their Guadalcanal sounds distant on the ear like Shiloh and Valley Forge. --- Michener, Tales of the South Pacific Tempus Edax Rerum

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