[MG Note: This is the second of three installments on the Indian-produced version of the FAL rifle. I want to thank Andy Gerstmyer for the use of the photos of his magnificent replica Indian 1A1 rifle.]
Rifle Factory Ishapore
Rifle, 7.62MM, 1A1 (continued)
The individual parts of the Indian 1A1 are not as well-finished as those of Commonwealth rifles. Shown are three representative parts: (1) takedown latch, (2) front sling swivel, and (3) bolt hold open.
Above: Indian 1A1 parts are not as well-finished as Commonwealth parts. (Photo: Bob Stoner)
The Indian 1A1 butt stock seats flush against the back of the lower receiver. It is inletted to take a metal ferrule that reinforces the wooden stock at its weakest point. This is a feature found only on metric-pattern rifles. The lower receiver has a tang that projects through the ferrule and is inletted to the bottom of the stock. A wood screw attaches the tang to the stock.
Above: Indian 1A1 rifles use a metal ferrule that reinforces the wood stock and unlike the C1A1 or L1A1 rifles, the 1A1 butt stock fits flush against the back of the lower receiver as in metric-pattern rifles. The 1A1 rifle rear sight assembly combines features of both metric/inch-pattern sights. The sight aperture folds forward, like the L1A1, but its height is shorter. The 1A1 sight has a push button for range adjustment; the L1A1 does not. These differences are illustrated by the replica Australian L1A1 (Vietnam-era) below. (Photos: Andy Gerstmyer [upper], Bob Stoner [lower])
The pistol grip of the Indian 1A1 rifle follows the pattern of the L1A1 and C1A1 Commonwealth rifles. The Indian pistol grip has a screw on its right side that is not found on inch-pattern pistol grips. Like the Commonwealth pistol grips, the trigger guard can be folded into the grip for troops with gloves or mittens in cold weather environments. The carrying handle follws the early Australian and British grooved wooden pattern.
Above: Indian 1A1 rifles have a screw in the right side of the pistol grip not found on Commonwealth pistol grips. The trigger guard folds into the grip for cold weather use like the grips found on the C1A1 or L1A1 rifles. Indian 1A1 rifles have the sand modifications found on Australian and British L1A1 rifles. [Note the zig-zag cut bolt carrier and full length top cover as found on those rifles.] Like the L1A1 rifles, the Indian 1A1 bolt hold open allows the bolt to close on the last shot instead of holding it open like the Canadian C1A1 rifles. (Photo: Andy Gerstmyer)
Below: The Australian L1A1 is very similar to the Indian 1A1 except where it differs. Compare the details of the Indian 1A1 and Australian L1A1. (Photo: Bob Stoner)
The handguards of the Indian 1A1 rifles follow the pattern of the L1A1 rifles. The handguards have two horizontal cooling slots and have metal reinforcement plates attached to the front end for strength. There is an asbestos insert (similar to a shim) beneath the metal plate to protect the wood from the heat of the gas block when it heats up from prolonged firing.
Above and below: Indian 1A1 rifle handguards are similar in design to those found on 1950's and early 1960's Australian and British L1A1 rifles. Both have the asbestos inserts and metal reinforcements for the front ends. Although the gas blocks are similar in construction, the front sight blade on the 1A1 rifle follows the metric-pattern and not the inch-pattern. (Photos: Andy Gerstmyer [upper], Kevin Adams [lower])
As noted, Indian 1A1 rear sights are a composite of metric/inch-pattern features and metric-pattern features on the front sight. As a result, the sight-line height is lower on the Indian 1A1 than the L1A1 or C1A1 rifles.
Above: A photo montage of the Indian 1A1 rifle rear sight assembly. This sight combines features of both metric/inch-pattern sights. The folding aperture is shorter than L1A1 apertures. (Photo: Bob Stoner)
(Continued in installment 3 of 3)
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
First 
