HISTORY:
** In response to the challenge of the Soviet Dragunov self-loading rifle, the British Army adopted the 7.62mm L42A1 bolt-action sniping rifle in 1970. The L42A1 was deployed in Dhofar and Northern Ireland, but arguably saw its finest hour during the Falklands War 1982. The Harsh conditions of the South Atlantic laid bare the L42A1’s inadequacies and a new company, Accuracy International, won the contract to replace the L42A1 and the PM Rifle, a world-beating revolutionary design, was adopted in 1985 as the L96A1. Progressively upgraded, the L96A1went on to serve as the British Army’s primary sniper system, being deployed in Northern Ireland, the First Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. The L115A3, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, joined the L96A1 in the front line in 2008 and since 2012 has been Britian’s standard issue sniping rifle. Featuring full-colour artwork and close-up photographs, this absorbing study assesses the development, combat use, impact and legacy of these iconic British sniping weapons”. **
** Quoted from the back cover of the book.
THE BOOK:
Osprey Publications has released British Sniping Rifles Since 1970 – L42A1, L96A1 and L115A3 as Number 80 in the Weapon series. It is an 80 page soft cover book. Included with the text are black and white photographs, color illustrations, detailed captions, informational charts, cutaway views and more. It has a 2021 copyright, a publication date of November 25, 2021 and the ISBN is 978-1-4728-4235-0.
THE CONTENTS:
- Introduction
- Development
- Sniping-rifle evolution
- Use
- The long road to sniping excellence
- Impact
- Trial and error, lessons learnt
- Conclusion
- Glossary
- Bibliography
- Index
THE TEXT:
Author Steve Houghton details the L42A1, L96A1 and L115A3 sniper rifles from their development, production and introduction throughout their trials and testing, improvements and on through to their issuance and use by the British military. Steve Houghton provides an excellent description of all of the technical specifications of the weapons and accessories which for the detailed oriented reader provides a wealth of information in an easy-to-read format. I personally feel that Steve Houghton has covered all areas and aspects of the L42A1, L96A1 and L115A3 sniper rifles and left no area of the weapons undiscussed and detailed. The text in the book is nicely written and well detailed and as I read through the text, I didn’t notice any spelling errors or grammatical errors. Grammar and spelling might not be an important factor to everyone however it is something that I take notice of and pass on my findings. I feel that if the text is well written then it shows that the author has taken the time to be professional with their writing. Anyone wanting to add an excellent reference and history book on British military sniping rifles in service since 1970 with the main focus being on the L42A1, L96A1 and L115A3 to their personal library will be pleased with this very informative and interesting book.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS:
A total of 4 black and white photographs and 62 color photographs are included in this volume. The photographs are for the most part close-up detailed photographs that are all are clear and easily viewable. There are photographs of just the weapons and accessories themselves as opposed to photographs that feature the weapons in a broad generalized military photograph that lack focus on the specific weapon, which in my opinion it makes it much easier to study the various weapons and their details. As well as showing the various rifles and their accessories, the photographs also provide excellent details such as the various uniforms being worn in different areas of operation. Author Steve Houghton stuck to the title of the book and chose subject specific photographs and did not include photographs that strayed from the main subject of the book. The majority, if not all, of the photographs will prove to be a wealth of information to anyone interested in British military sniping rifles in service since 1970, specifically the L42A1, L96A1 and L115A3, due to the details they contain.
THE ILLUSTRATIONS:
There are 5 color illustrations included in the volume by illustrators Johnny Shumate and Alan Gilliland. Johnny Shumate completed the 2 battlescenes for this book. Alan Gilliland completed the 3 cutaway illustrations for this book. The illustrations are very well done, nicely detailed and are of:
Battle Scenes
Plate A
City walls, Londonderry, 1975
- A one-page illustration showing a British sniper team in a concealed position armed with a L42A1 sniper rifle prepare to engage an IRA terrorist.
Plate B
British snipers during Operation Desert Storm, 1991
- A one-page illustration showing a British sniper team in a concealed position armed with a L96A1 sniper rifle prepare to engage an Iraqi T-72 tank crew who have stopped and exited their tank.
Cut-A-Way Illustrations
Plate A
The L42A1 revealed
- A cut-a-away view showing the internal workings of the L42A1 rifle. Also provided is a key which details 25 specific items that are pointed out on the L42A1 rifle and the L1A1 telescope.
Plate B
The L96A1 Exposed
- A two-page action illustration showing the internal workings of the L96A1 rifle. Also provided is a key which details 30 specific items that are pointed out on the L96A1 rifle and the L13A1 telescope.
Plate C
The L115A3 Unveiled
- A two-page action illustration showing the internal workings of the L115A3 rifle. Also provided is a key which details 32 specific items that are pointed out on the L115A3 rifle and the L24A1 telescope.
THE CAPTIONS:
The captions are well written and explain the accompanying photographs and illustrations in great detail eliminating any doubt as to what is shown. The captions go into very specific detail as to the specific weapons shown, military units, associated equipment carried and used, specific items of interest shown, uniforms, dates and locations and other such pertinent information. I was impressed by Steve Houghton’s captions as they are very helpful to the reader due to their detailed content as opposed to other captions that I have seen that are very brief and lacking in detail.
INFORMATIONAL CHARTS:
There are 7 informational charts included in this volume and they are of:
- Telescope Straight Sighting L1A1, NSN 1240-99-963-2063
- The chart lists the following information:
- Manufacturer
- Length
- Weight in the mount
- Objective lens diameter
- Field of view
- Magnification
- Reticle
- Range graduations
- Focus capability
- Sunshade
- Lateral adjustment
- Mount type
- L13A1 Telescope, NSN V5/1240-99-967-4564
- The chart lists the following information:
- Manufacturer
- Length
- Weight in the mount
- Objective lens diameter
- Field of view
- Magnification
- Reticle
- Elevation graduations
- Bullet drop compensation
- Focus capability
- Parallax adjustment
- Sunshade attachment
- Lateral adjustment
- Mount type
- L17A1 Telescope, NSN B5/1240-99-911-6011
- The chart lists the following information:
- Manufacturer
- Length
- Weight in the mount
- Objective lens diameter
- Field of view
- Magnification
- Reticle
- Elevation graduations
- Bullet drop compensation
- Focus capability
- Parallax adjustment
- Sunshade attachment
- Lateral adjustment
- Mount type
- L24A1 Telescope, NSN 1240-99-455-1353
- The chart lists the following information:
- Manufacturer
- Length
- Weight in the mount
- Objective lens diameter
- Field of view
- Magnification
- Reticle
- Elevation graduations
- Bullet drop compensation
- Focus capability
- Parallax adjustment
- Sunshade attachment
- Lateral adjustment
- Mount type
- Rifle, 7.62MM L42A1, NSN B1/1005-99-963-3786
- The chart lists the following information:
- Caliber
- Magazine Capacity
- Overall rifle length
- Barrel length
- Twist-rate
- Combat weight
- Iron sights
- Conversion approval date
- Converted by
- Scope mounted
- Quantity converted
- Rifle, 7.62MM L96A1, NSN B1/1005-99-967-3405
- The chart lists the following information:
- Caliber
- Magazine Capacity
- Overall rifle length
- Barrel length
- Twist-rate
- Combat weight
- Iron sights
- Conversion approval date
- Manufactured by
- Scope mounted
- Contract quantity
- Rifle .338 Lapua AWSM L115A3, NSN 1005-99-372-3045
- The chart lists the following information:
- Caliber
- Magazine Capacity
- Overall rifle length
- Barrel length
- Twist-rate
- Combat weight
- Iron sights
- Conversion approval date
- Manufactured by
- Scope mounted
- Contract quantity
Osprey Publishing also offers British Sniping Rifles Since 1970 – L42A1, L96A1 and L115A3 as:
eBook (ePub) ISBN: 978-1-4728-4236-7
and
eBook (PDF) ISBN: 978-1-4728-4233-6
Osprey Publishing’s, British Sniping Rifles Since 1970 – L42A1, L96A1 and L115A3, is also available as a Kindle version through Amazon.com
PRICE:
UK £13.99 / US $22.00 / CAN $30.00
This book was provided to me by Osprey Publishing. Please be sure to mention that you saw the book reviewed here on the KitMaker Network when you make your purchase. Thank you.
