WTK BSA L1A1 FAL complete rifles imported?

[Berserk3r]

Hi everyone, newbie here and know next to nothing about FALs. My buddy and I are working a trade. He says he has an early Century imported BSA L1A1 FAL meaning it was made by BSA as a complete rifle (not from a kit) then imported by Century. This doesnt sound right to me... anyone know if there is truth to this and things I should be looking for? Thanks - Christian

[12v71]

Originally Posted by Berserk3r

Hi everyone, newbie here and know next to nothing about FALs. My buddy and I are working a trade. He says he has an early Century imported BSA L1A1 FAL meaning it was made by BSA as a complete rifle (not from a kit) then imported by Century. This doesnt sound right to me... anyone know if there is truth to this and things I should be looking for? Thanks - Christian

Yes, Century did import some L1A1's for "law enforcement only" buyers. Some of those are out in circulation, both Aussie and British. Check the markings on the receiver.

[jam762]

Pix?

[Berserk3r]

Here's pics he sent of some markings.. he's not very good with the phone/messaging, but its looking like the real deal!

https://imgur.com/a/6dydf8K

[Tattered]

That's a Century built L1A1 likely using an Imbel or FMAP receiver. So it's a kit gun.

[D. Lehrman]

Just as likely it's the real deal pal.

The barrel markings are in the same manner as all the LEO rifles, and though most of them were rebuilt L1A1s from re-arsenal mixed parts kits....they were all on legit real deal receivers. War reserves sold off complete and sold by Century LEO letterhead or individual officers with department permission.

Could indeed be the real deal for one of them....very few Century marked sporters were done with barrel markings, receivers were ATF required marking once the 89 ban legislation passed.

LEO's are usually marked for type and country of assembly about 1/16th inch engraved on the underside of the barrel...with no additional receiver import marks...just the original receiver engraving and perhaps remarking if reworked receiver/reassigned when they were refinished.





The potential buyer should insist on the markings on the side of the upper receiver in pics...the lower markings are useless and they did mark some sporters on the barrel as well, so no way to tell for sure with only the pics provided.

[12v71]

Originally Posted by D. Lehrman

Just as likely it's the real deal pal.

The barrel markings are in the same manner as all the LEO rifles, and though most of them were rebuilt L1A1s from re-arsenal mixed parts kits....they were all on legit real deal receivers. War reserves sold off complete and sold by Century LEO letterhead or individual officers with department permission.

Could indeed be the real deal for one of them....very few Century marked sporters were done with barrel markings, receivers were ATF required marking once the 89 ban legislation passed.

LEO's are usually marked for type and country of assembly about 1/16th inch engraved on the underside of the barrel...with no additional receiver import marks...just the original receiver engraving and perhaps remarking if reworked receiver/reassigned when they were refinished.





The potential buyer should insist on the markings on the side of the upper receiver in pics...the lower markings are useless and they did mark some sporters on the barrel as well, so no way to tell for sure with only the pics provided.

It does appear to be a type 3 receiver in the pics. Just saying.
I know of 2 "real deal" imports that were cannibalized for the receivers, I had a Brit kit built on an Imbel that was originally an LEO rifle and the previous owner snagged the original receiver for an Aussie build he did on a nearly perfect kit. I have since passed it on to another files member.

[D. Lehrman]

Yessir, my bad, didn't scroll down to the other pic on this tiny little device.

Still, very limited pics and check all the receiver markings would be in order.

[12v71]

Originally Posted by D. Lehrman

Yessir, my bad, didn't scroll down to the other pic on this tiny little device.

Still, very limited pics and check all the receiver markings would be in order.

Honestly I was hoping the pics would show the real deal too.

[D. Lehrman]

[def90]

Originally Posted by Berserk3r

Here's pics he sent of some markings.. he's not very good with the phone/messaging, but its looking like the real deal!

https://imgur.com/a/6dydf8K

Kit gun built by Century, worth about $800 or so

[12v71]

Originally Posted by D. Lehrman

That makes me Drool just a little bit.

[tdb59]

Originally Posted by 12v71

Yes, Century did import some L1A1's for "law enforcement only" buyers. Some of those are out in circulation, both Aussie and British. Check the markings on the receiver.

Fewer and fewer from what I have seen, tho.......



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