I need you gurus to decipher this FAL I bought on impulse...

deadmarsh · May 02, 2004, 10:34

This could be a bit long, but after reading the forum for two straight days, I think I have the info to get you fellows started in helping a newbie out. BTW, always wanted a FAL and when this one came into the local gunshop as a trade, I snapped it up without really knowing what I had....

Upper receiver seems to be a metric Imbel with inch cuttings. Serial number is 117896. Receiver states:

L1A1 Sporter Cal. .308
Receiver made by IMBEL - Brazil
Imported by CAI St. Alb VT

Etched underneath the upper receiver near the locking lug is:

HESSE
St. Paul
MN

The lower receiver serial number is: AD6112658 (I hope this helps to identify type)...

Has an 18" barrel overall length that features a MB with six (6) angled holes on the top portion. Two pins seem to hold this unit intact...

Has an A.R.M.S dustcover with Weaver rail and an ADCO reddot affixed. It also came with the original dustcover...

Bolt is etched with number: 6219300 and matches the carrier...

Furnature is black poly with I have to describe as vinyl-style pattern (as in a car seat). Not a thunbhole stock, but standard pistol grip and flaired buttstock. Forearm is poly triangular design with three sets of two slotted holes about an inch in length, There are also two holes toward the front about 1/4" in diameter...

The rest of the rifle seems to be an inch identiy from charging handle to sights...

Came with three steel metric magazines and a green nylon British style bent-clip sling...

So what do I have here? Haven't been to the range yet, but after tearing it down, all parts look of high quality and match well. Trigger is exceptional for a military trigger - smooth with a crisp break at 8 pounds. Much better trigger than I expected - very similar to my pre-ban Poly-Tech AK47 in quality and feel. The rifle is smooth and just feels of high quality, but after reading all the posts about CAI firearms, I'm not sure what to expect. I've been around military rifles for forty yeas, and this thing has the feel of a good Mauser...

I paid $410.00 out the door for this rifle, A.R.M.S. mount and Adco reddot, plus the three mags and original dustcover and Brit sling.

OPINIONS WELCOME and my thanks in advance for any help. If you need more information, just ask...good luck

Dead

NewtoFals · May 02, 2004, 10:47

Quote:

Imported by CAI St. Alb VT

Quote:

HESSE

DEAR GOD! IT'S DOUBLE CURSED!!!!!

My guess is that's a rifle built by HEXXE on an imbel receiver imported by CAI though i didn't know that IMBEL built a receiver with inch cuts

.

Defintely not in 'original' configuration might be a good frankenfal if it shoots and shoots straight.

It being built by hesse and you buying it for $400 would make me wary. Take it to the range and shoot it see what it does. The adco and arms alone would be worth about $200 so if it shoots i'd say you got a deal. You might want to have headspace checked.........i'm just wondering why it would be so cheap?

NewtoFals · May 02, 2004, 10:53

You can check this link if you'd like. Just be advised that most of it is the author repeating what hesse told them.

http://www.fnfal.com/falfiles/hesse.html

Deltaten · May 02, 2004, 11:02

deadmarsh:

Sounds like you may have lucked into an L1A1/SLR parts set assembled by Century. The SN *may* indicate a pre-94 date, going by the SN's of a few we've vetted...but DO NOT assume it's a PB.
The inch cut (somewhat) Imbel rcvr is a good one, and currently seems much prized for ABC ( Austrailia, British, Commomnwealth) builds.

Furniture sounds like Marinyl standard issue Brit, but, it *could* be Century USA mfgr'd; your call, as I can't see it. The SN on the lower indicates Aussie mfg.. AS per CAI's usual, most were mix-master sets. The "Hesse" stamp under the rcvr @the lug has me flummoxed! Not to sure, but Hesse did not assemble on a rcvr imported by CAI, w/all the CAI nomenclature (.308 Sporter!). A poser for the RKI's

*IF* it all checks out; for HS, timing, bbl spun up tight [torqued] properly, etc....ya done good! $410 OTD is a buy, add the ARMS and scope, and it's a steal. Even if it costs a few $$ to sort it out (hope not!); you are still ahead of the game.

Please DO have the HS checked. Fully dissassemble , degrease,(if needed), and re-assemble. Seems that you've read up on the standards here, so you should be good to go. Let us know the outcome.

Enjoy,
Paul

deadmarsh · May 02, 2004, 11:07

The price was $50.00 over the price the shop paid to the customer as a trade for a Ruger #1...I was just at the shop talking with the owner when this gent walked in and I more or less made the deal myself...fellow said it shot great and was very reliable for the 2000 rounds of Port .308 he shot up over the past year...

The only thing I can say about the HESSE etching might be that they did some work on the FAL and labeled it...the HESSE address is about 10 miles from the gunshop and about 15 miles from my house. Since it's local, there might be some connection to a repair or whatever...that's what I'm trying to decipher from you fellows...thanks for the early replies...

Dead

PS: Headspaces fine...already torn down completely and reinstalled...

Falfegnügen · May 02, 2004, 11:07

If'n it's in decent shape, and works, you did good.

Parts alone:

Imbel "inch-cut" receiver, (which are rare) - $275
Aussie L1A1 kit with plastic furniture - $200
ARMS mount - $100
Scope - $100
Parts for non-import compliance - $ 75 up

As far as quality goes, in my opinion the worst FAL ever made is going to look, feel, and probably perform better than the best AK. Of course I'm talking original factory rifles, not home-built.

SLR-5000 · May 02, 2004, 14:17

The lower receiver AD6112658 is Australian manufacture and sold to New Zealand in 1961
the bolt and carrier were sold to New Zealand also but in 1962

chrsdwns · May 02, 2004, 18:15

It's an early L1A1 kit on an Imbel receiver. If it's in as good of shape as most of the early L1A1 Imbel builds then you got a great deal on a really nice FAL

deadmarsh · May 03, 2004, 01:18

I appreciate all the responses to my inquiry so far...thank you, Gentlemen...

Dead

May 02, 2004, 11:02	#4
Deltaten Registered FALaholic #: 124 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lancaster, PA USA Posts: 8,498	deadmarsh: Sounds like you may have lucked into an L1A1/SLR parts set assembled by Century. The SN may indicate a pre-94 date, going by the SN's of a few we've vetted...but DO NOT assume it's a PB. The inch cut (somewhat) Imbel rcvr is a good one, and currently seems much prized for ABC ( Austrailia, British, Commomnwealth) builds. Furniture sounds like Marinyl standard issue Brit, but, it could be Century USA mfgr'd; your call, as I can't see it. The SN on the lower indicates Aussie mfg.. AS per CAI's usual, most were mix-master sets. The "Hesse" stamp under the rcvr @the lug has me flummoxed! Not to sure, but Hesse did not assemble on a rcvr imported by CAI, w/all the CAI nomenclature (.308 Sporter!). A poser for the RKI's IF it all checks out; for HS, timing, bbl spun up tight [torqued] properly, etc....ya done good! $410 OTD is a buy, add the ARMS and scope, and it's a steal. Even if it costs a few $$ to sort it out (hope not!); you are still ahead of the game. Please DO have the HS checked. Fully dissassemble , degrease,(if needed), and re-assemble. Seems that you've read up on the standards here, so you should be good to go. Let us know the outcome. Enjoy, Paul __________________ All or Nothing! Senator McCarthy was right! and as always......FYB! Last edited by Deltaten; May 02, 2004 at 11:12.

May 02, 2004, 11:07	#5
deadmarsh Registered FALaholic #: 14288 Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 9	The price... The price was $50.00 over the price the shop paid to the customer as a trade for a Ruger #1...I was just at the shop talking with the owner when this gent walked in and I more or less made the deal myself...fellow said it shot great and was very reliable for the 2000 rounds of Port .308 he shot up over the past year... The only thing I can say about the HESSE etching might be that they did some work on the FAL and labeled it...the HESSE address is about 10 miles from the gunshop and about 15 miles from my house. Since it's local, there might be some connection to a repair or whatever...that's what I'm trying to decipher from you fellows...thanks for the early replies... Dead PS: Headspaces fine...already torn down completely and reinstalled... Last edited by deadmarsh; May 02, 2004 at 11:16.

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May 02, 2004, 10:34	#1
deadmarsh Registered FALaholic #: 14288 Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 9	I need you gurus to decipher this FAL I bought on impulse... This could be a bit long, but after reading the forum for two straight days, I think I have the info to get you fellows started in helping a newbie out. BTW, always wanted a FAL and when this one came into the local gunshop as a trade, I snapped it up without really knowing what I had.... Upper receiver seems to be a metric Imbel with inch cuttings. Serial number is 117896. Receiver states: L1A1 Sporter Cal. .308 Receiver made by IMBEL - Brazil Imported by CAI St. Alb VT Etched underneath the upper receiver near the locking lug is: HESSE St. Paul MN The lower receiver serial number is: AD6112658 (I hope this helps to identify type)... Has an 18" barrel overall length that features a MB with six (6) angled holes on the top portion. Two pins seem to hold this unit intact... Has an A.R.M.S dustcover with Weaver rail and an ADCO reddot affixed. It also came with the original dustcover... Bolt is etched with number: 6219300 and matches the carrier... Furnature is black poly with I have to describe as vinyl-style pattern (as in a car seat). Not a thunbhole stock, but standard pistol grip and flaired buttstock. Forearm is poly triangular design with three sets of two slotted holes about an inch in length, There are also two holes toward the front about 1/4" in diameter... The rest of the rifle seems to be an inch identiy from charging handle to sights... Came with three steel metric magazines and a green nylon British style bent-clip sling... So what do I have here? Haven't been to the range yet, but after tearing it down, all parts look of high quality and match well. Trigger is exceptional for a military trigger - smooth with a crisp break at 8 pounds. Much better trigger than I expected - very similar to my pre-ban Poly-Tech AK47 in quality and feel. The rifle is smooth and just feels of high quality, but after reading all the posts about CAI firearms, I'm not sure what to expect. I've been around military rifles for forty yeas, and this thing has the feel of a good Mauser... I paid $410.00 out the door for this rifle, A.R.M.S. mount and Adco reddot, plus the three mags and original dustcover and Brit sling. OPINIONS WELCOME and my thanks in advance for any help. If you need more information, just ask...good luck Dead Last edited by deadmarsh; May 02, 2004 at 10:43.

May 02, 2004, 10:53	#3
NewtoFals Registered FALaholic #: 6083 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: TEXAS Posts: 960	You can check this link if you'd like. Just be advised that most of it is the author repeating what hesse told them. http://www.fnfal.com/falfiles/hesse.html

May 02, 2004, 11:07	#6
Falfegnügen Registered FALaholic #: 4275 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: TN Posts: 2,657	If'n it's in decent shape, and works, you did good. Parts alone: Imbel "inch-cut" receiver, (which are rare) - $275 Aussie L1A1 kit with plastic furniture - $200 ARMS mount - $100 Scope - $100 Parts for non-import compliance - $ 75 up As far as quality goes, in my opinion the worst FAL ever made is going to look, feel, and probably perform better than the best AK. Of course I'm talking original factory rifles, not home-built.

May 02, 2004, 14:17	#7
SLR-5000 pat@SAFLithgow.com FALaholic #: 9674 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rathdrum, North Idaho Posts: 1,887	The lower receiver AD6112658 is Australian manufacture and sold to New Zealand in 1961 the bolt and carrier were sold to New Zealand also but in 1962

May 02, 2004, 18:15	#8
chrsdwns Registered FALaholic #: 9846 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: USA Posts: 2,574	It's an early L1A1 kit on an Imbel receiver. If it's in as good of shape as most of the early L1A1 Imbel builds then you got a great deal on a really nice FAL

May 03, 2004, 01:18	#9
deadmarsh Registered FALaholic #: 14288 Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 9	I appreciate all the responses to my inquiry so far...thank you, Gentlemen... Dead