[MG Note: This is the third of three installments on the Indian-produced version of the FAL rifle.]
Rifle Factory Ishapore
Rifle, 7.62MM, 1A1 (continued)
The Indian 1A1 gas block differs from Commonwealth gas blocks. The 1A1 gas block does not have a locking set screw for the front sight, and the front sight post is a metric-pattern similar to the Israeli front sight post.
Above: A photo montage of the Indian 1A1 rifle front sight assembly. This sight post is very similar in construction to the Israeli metric-pattern sight. Note the characteristic stamped front sling swivel that identifies Indian 1A1 rifles (Photo: Bob Stoner)
Indian 1A1 barrels are finished with Commonwealth-type flash
eliminators of the British L1A1 pattern. Like the British L1A1, the Indian 1A1 may be found with the early five slot or later three slot pattern.
Above: The Indian 1A1 rifle flash eliminator is found in five and three slot patterns. (Photo: Bob Stoner)
Below: The British flash eliminator in close-up. The 1A1 copies bear the marking "RFI". (Photo: Kevin Adams/Bob Stoner)
Indian 1A1 rifles are provided with the 1A bayonet. This bayonet follows the Commonwealth pattern, but has a 10-inch blade. The Mk 2A scabbard is issued for it. The Mk 2A scabbard is a composite construction of metal and leather that uses a webbing bayonet frog to attach it to the soldier's kit.
The Mk 2A scabbard is also issued for the Mk I through Mk III* bayonets. These are shortened, Indian-made, 12.2-inch blade variants of the British Pattern 1907 bayonet with 17-inch blade. The bayonets are used on Ishapore-built No. 1 Mk III SMLE rifles in caliber .303 and the Ishapore 2A or 2A1 rifle. Ishapore made about 500,000 2A-series No. 1 Mk III design made of modern steels in caliber 7.62 NATO for Indian para-military and police units. Ishapore 2A-series rifle bayonets do not fit the Ishapore 1A1 rifle.
Above: The Indian 1A bayonet and Mk 2 scabbard with a Pattern 1937 webbing bayonet frog. (Photo: Bob Stoner)
The 1A bayonet will fit all inch-pattern rifles. The recognition features of the 1A bayonet are its wooden grips attached by screws (instead of riveted metal grips for Commonwealth types) and a blued or black oxide overall finish (instead of phosphate or phosphate/paint for Commonwealth types).
Above: A line-up of Commonwealth (Australian, British, Canadian) bayonets contrasted to the Indian 1A bayonet. Notice the differences in finish, manufacture, and other details. (Photo: Bob Stoner)
RIFLE, 7.62MM NATO, 1A1 Specifications
Length: 44.85 Inches
Barrel: 21 Inches; 6 grooves, RH twist, 1 in 12 inches
Weights: 12 lbs. 2 oz. (loaded)
10 lbs. 4 oz. (unloaded, empty magazine)
9 lbs. 11 oz. (without magazine)
1 lb. 9 oz. (loaded magazine)
Sights: Folding aperture, adjustable from 200 to 600 yards;
21.77-inch sight radius
Bayonet: 1A (10-inch blade) with scabbard Mk 2A
Addendum: Indian Small Arms of British Design
The current R.F.I. catalog lists the following in addition to the 1A1 rifle: (1) Submachine Gun-Carbine, 9MM, 1A1 -- the Sterling L2A3 SMG; (2) Submachine Gun-Carbine, 9MM, 2A1 -- the Sterling L34A1 (Suppressed) SMG; (3) Light Machine Gun, 7.62MM, 1B -- Bren 7.62MM L4A2 LMG; (4) General Purpose Machine Gun, 7.62MM, 2A1 -- GPMG, 7.62MM, L7A2 Infantry MG; (5) Machine Gun, 7.62MM, 5A -- MG, 7.62MM, L20A2 Solenoid fired, co-axial armor or gun pod MG; and (6) Machine Gun, 7.62MM, 6A -- MG, 7.62MM, L37A2 Co-axial or flexible armor MG with L7 infantry adapter kit.
Left: SMG 9MM 1A1 Right: SMG 9MM 2A1
Left: Rifle 7.62MM 2A1 Right: Rifle 7.62MM 1A1
Left: LMG 7.62MM 1B Right: GPMG 7.62MM 2A1
Left: MG 7.62MM 5A Right: MG 7.62MM 6A
Rev. 3
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