Parker Hale M85 replica - Mission Impossible?

[Random Guy]

Before I begin, here’s what my latest rifle project reminds of….a series of highly improbable events that may be considered…Mission Impossible.



My Mission: collect enough M85 parts (and machining expertise) to turn this….

….Into something reasonably close to this:

It would help greatly if I were a machinest (or even a gunsmith), but I’m clearly not, so there’s that. The guy who sold me the receiver and various parts did include these 3 custom taps for the barrel threading, which was helpful.

But this will require real machining expertise…

Probably use parts from unit on left to complete the M85 trigger parts on the right.

Unfortunately there are still 5 parts that I am searching for:
1. Bottom metal with mag latch (possibly requiring fabrication - need technical info).
2. Front sight (GP240 machine gun sight)
3. Front handstop (black) w/ sling swivel
4. Rear sling swivel.
5. Barrel (this will have to be custom made, just not sure who might make an M85 barrel).
(Rear sight is a unicorn, so I’m not going to worry about that one part, and fortunately it’s hidden under the scope mount).

So lots of machining to do by someone talented, heat treatment of the cast receiver, a custom barrel fitted to this old bolt, and a lot of metal refinishing…plus whatever comes along the way.

Why an M85 replica? Well, I do not have any British sniper rifles in my collection and since an L42 and L96A1 “Green Meanie” are not available (or affordable), I’ve decided to piece together P-H M85. I’m 18 months into the project, but a long ways to go. Any build tips re this ridiculous sniper rifle project are appreciated…

I also blame this Mission Impossible project on this video:

 

[Stevo86]

Very cool, please keep us updated!

 

[jwSubMOA]

I think we spoke in DM previously. I had the entire set up, with that unfinished reciever. The taps are useless for doing the barrel threads in the reciever. It will need to be set up.in a lathe, the bolt way reamed, locking lug abutments faced and the threads single point cut. Barrel is relatively easy, does have a longer thread shank than other models. Ejector box is different but looks like you have it. Search PH parts in UK, lots of stuff available over there. The machine work is not difficult for a competent gunsmith with actual machinist experience. Have the action salt bath heat treated when done. Search the internet, there is a document that gave the material composition of the steel used, so you know what to tell the heat treater. It's definitely doable.

 

[Random Guy]

The machine work is not difficult for a competent gunsmith with actual machinist experience. Have the action salt bath heat treated when done. Search the internet, there is a document that gave the material composition of the steel used, so you know what to tell the heat treater. It's definitely doable.

Thanks for the detailed response. I appreciate the details - and your optimism that this project is doable. I could not find info re M85 receiver metal composition, but apparently 17 years ago it was on a website called ‘mausercentral.com’ which is long gone. I was able to find this one nugget of info from a 2010 post that referred to that old thread on the defunct website - which I hope is correct re steel type.

I’m going to write a letter to Norman Clark in the UK as I don’t know if an email will get read, and see is he has a drawing re barrel tenon/threads or maybe some old parts. I think he retired years ago, so we’ll see. The bottom metal latching mechanism (or enough details for fabrication) is what I need as far as parts needed to proceed.

This rifle project is a huge challenge…but I’ve invested $2900 at this point with all the M85 parts and optic system, and hoping I can somehow finish it 2026…maybe.

 

[USMCsean]

I wish you luck. One day I will make an L42A1 clone. Think it would be a fun project.

 

[jwSubMOA]

EN9/1055 is correct. Norman Clark is who i got lots of small parts from. My entire M85 set up was bought here. The barrel shank is nothing special. If you aren't already aware, the PH action are just modified Mausers. The threads are the same, and the shanks are the same in all except the M85. It is longer, but that is easily measured by whomever does your machine work. I'll see if I have any info about.

 

[Random Guy]

Barrel is relatively easy, does have a longer thread shank than other models.

Yes, I believe the threads/tenon on the M85 barrel are "about" 0.375” longer than a regular K98 barrel tenon/threads, but I'm hoping to get a little more technical info as a barrel maker may require something more specific…and as a one-off barrel it will be pricey as well…

I'm also hunting for this M85 literature, as this brochure actually shows some important details regarding the internals (see diagram on right).

 

[IK6243]

Norman Clark is still in business. You will struggle to find a genuine front sight block, but the GPMG front sights are easier to come by. I think there was a front sight block for sale on ebay.com recently. It had been relisted a few times.

I don't know what the situation is like with the rearsight, but that is probably also unobtainium.

You can probably make do with bottom metal for a M14 magazine.

The one extremely difficult and often overlooked part of finishing a PH M85 receiver is the angle on the bolt abutments in the action for primary extraction etc. Some unfinished actions had this done, most don't. You'll need to die sink EDM it unless you can think of a way to broach it while turning the action on the C axis.

I know Norman and also another guy who got all of Sabre Defence's parts when they went bust. I will ask the other guy for you.

 

[Random Guy]

The one extremely difficult and often overlooked part of finishing a PH M85 receiver is the angle on the bolt abutments in the action for primary extraction etc. Some unfinished actions had this done, most don't. You'll need to die sink EDM it unless you can think of a way to broach it while turning the action on the C axis.

I know Norman and also another guy who got all of Sabre Defence's parts when they went bust. I will ask the other guy for you.

I’m not visualizing exactly what you are referring to in that sentence. I will need to research that aspect, but again, I’ll have to defer to my machinest buddy re that procedure for the bolt abutments. This is where I wish there was a local M85 to inspect.

Thanks for offering to ask Norman about M85 parts. The bottom metal is my biggest concern. I only have a fabricated sheet of stamped metal for the mag opening, but none of the latching mechanism, springs, pins, and related parts. If I had drawings maybe my machinest buddy could reproduce those parts, maybe?

As for front sights, there were 2 styles it seems, the P&H one on eBay with 2 screws on the bottom (for $200!?), and the later front base which was an FN M240 front sight (aka General Purpose Machine Gun or GPMG). I’m desperate enough that I just bought online 4 de-milled M240 barrel ends(!), hoping that at least 1 of the 4 sight bases is useable after bead-blasting and refinishing (top 2 look rusted, but bottom 2 might be serviceable after refinishing).

…the challenge is finding an affordable FN front sight that fits the M240 base, as I refuse to pay $270 for this part and its little mounting screw. There was a vendor in Europe selling them for € 25 or so, but they are now out of stock.

Here’s what I want mine to look like when it’s built, including the barrel extending out by about an inch beyond the sight base.

I also need both action screws and the Allen head screw that holds the bolt release onto the receiver. Anyhow, any technical and/or parts assistance is much appreciated re this M85 project, esp from former Parker-Hale employees.

 

[IK6243]

Neither of the PH front sight bases were from the GPMG, in fact I'm pretty sure there were 3 types of PH base. If it is just the looks that you are going for, a GPMG base will do.

I won't ask Norman as I don't want to ask him for more stuff at the moment, so you would be better off contacting directly rather than me as middleman. The other guy lives very close to me and said he will have a look for anything later. Will put you in touch if he finds anything.

I was going to lead you to a GPMG sight on a French militaria website but it has sold. It was only 25eur iirc. You could contact the guys in the following link. They make replica GPMGs and are supposedly extremely close. They make the sights themselves too but are in the UK. https://www.pdhenterprises.co.uk/