Aussie L1A1 Value?

I don't have an answer, but if I were you, I'd definately post your question over at the www.Falfiles.com forums. Those folks live for FALs and L1A1s.

Ok. Your friend may have a problem. Take my advice and dont speak about this too loudly, ok? while you are at it, delete this thread. Ennn EFFF AYYYH.

I think there are several ways in which that rifle may have been brought in completely legally, depending on exactly what it is he has. Obviously if it's a non-registered selective-fire firearm, he's SOL, but barring that it seems entirely possible that it's a legal rifle.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=76610860

Australian Arms (or something like that) imported FAL pistols and rifles up until 1989. FAL/Cetme style rifles were also imported pre-1968. Mars Imports of Chicago(!) of all places imported the rifles. As this was pre-1968, there would be no import marks. Also, there is the possibility it was brought in-country from someone who moved from Australia and brought a sporting rifle with them. I'm not an expert and FAL type guns, but they have been imported since pre-1968.

Ok guys, the Australians produced only two FAL type rifles. The L1A1 and the L2A1. He says the rifle says Australia on it and has no import markings Century or otherwise. Let me tell you a little secret: ALL of the L1A1 rifles that were imported into this country were sear cut, with the exception of a few rifles imported by Poyers in the 1980s and a few receivers imported by Eden and Onyx at the same time. He doesnt mention any of those markings, which would be fairly prominant. The fact that the rifle has a bipod integral to the barrel means that it is probably an L2A1 which, if it has the original Australian receiver, is certainly NFA.

Sear cut = NFA, regardless of whether the selector switch rotates all the way to full auto, with the exception of the G-series FAL's which are on the ATF amnesty list. There is another exception for some metric FAL's and also some century law enforcement rifles... but both have import marks.

So...basically... Caveat emptor.

Post your question/information over at the FILES under the General Fireams Discussion Heading. Somebody will probably pick up on it in less then a day and 'splain everthin' about your rifle to you, heh.

FWIW I had some years service exposure to Australian L1A1s and L2A1s, and worked at Lithgow for a while too. I've never seen one with plastic handguard nor a grenade launcher flash hider, and that is not how they were made at Lithgow. The early Lithgow forend was solid timber, triangular in cross-section (apex at the top), later ones were oval in cross section, plywood with a steel cap at the muzzle end. I tracked this pic. down to show the different types:



The early handguard would often have been replaced by a later style if the rifle was FTR'd. BTW the first two digits of the serial number are the year of production.

The flashhider was slotted longitudinally as per standard British and Australian L1A1 pattern. It wasn't specifically set up for grenade launching. The rifle could be used with a rifle grenade but this was by use of a cup - and btw I only ever saw that at Lithgow, it wasn't featured in any training manual (PAM) and nor did we ever fire them in service.

The L1A1 was also only ever semi-automatic in regular service, though I know that some very few were modified to selective fire for SASR and similar special service - though even in L2A1 form they were pretty hard to control on automatic. I believe this mod required the replacement of sear and selector with the selective fire trigger group.

The L2A1 had a bipod (the L1A1 of couse did not) which when folded served as a fore end (not very well I might add). It had a timber slat on each leg for that purpose and again no polymer:


You'll also note that there a few other differences between L1A1 and L2A1, such as the heavy barrel, "switch" and the rear sight being mounted on the dust cover rather than on the receiver lower.

HTH

I suppose I could understand your concern had you read what I wrote instead of interpreting it with a touch more paranoia that I personally had. Firstly, I have handled the firearm in question. It has no switch. The person in question (a local law enforcement officer for the record) has owned it since the late 1990's, and purportedly bought it from the original (civilian) owner. I looked over the firearm reasonably well, but the receiver was not marked beyond what I stated _that I could see_.

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First, I wasn't being paranoid. I was trying to look out for your friend's best interest. It is a fact that the ATF patrols forums like this one. Second, what I said was true... all of the L1A1's and L2A1's that were imported into this country with the exception of the ones listed above were sear cut. I assure you, if it is an FAL, it has a switch. That the switch doesnt rotate fully to full auto is inconsequential in the eyes of the ATF. Don't believe me? Look up the G-series FAL amnesty on the ATF website. It is easily convertible to full auto with the replacement of a few parts without even the use of tools. Now, IF the rifle is indeed an L1A2 or L1A1 that was imported from Australia with the originial Australian receiver, which is what you lead me to believe, then you need to check and see if it is sear cut. Ok? That isnt me being paranoid, that is me telling you that you need to look into these things.

Now, it is also possible that you have is not actually an L1A1 or L2A1, but a metric FAL of some sort. That would explain the wooden butt, polymer handguards and bipod. Most of the metric FAL's came with these accessories. Still, remove the dustcover, remove the bolt carrier and look down into the mag well for a slot cut in the ejector block on the left side of the interior.

Pictures would be very helpful.

GWM. I suppose I could understand your concern had you read what I wrote instead of interpreting it with a touch more paranoia that I personally had. Firstly, I have handled the firearm in question. It has no switch.

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The absence of an "AUTO" setting on the selector is irrelevant in this case. As has been mentioned, the important issue is whether the receiver was manufactured with the "sear cut" that would allow it to accept the full-auto parts. Most inch pattern guns were manufactured with the sear cut, even if the parts were not installed.

The issue is kinda confusing since these guns were imported and sold in the U.S. in both "sear cut" and "Non-sear cut" versions. The ATF has declared an amensty for certain guns, specified by serial number, so, in theory at least, any gun with a "sear cut" that is not specifically listed by serial number on the amnesty list is an illegal MG and is contraband.

The FAL FILES is the place to ask.

GMK, Australian rifles were imported and sold as semi auto's Quit the paranoia when you have no clue. A simple Google search or reading the FAL Rifle will show you are paranoid. PS I am not doing the research for you.