WTK: What does the acronyms HJLA and J reference on HK91 barrels?

[Yahamshari]

Hello.

The 17.716" barrels on my 1979 HK91 A-2 and A-3 rifles are factory marked HJLA on one side. I reached out multiple times via email and telephone to HK-USA in Columbus, GA but as in the past no one answers the telephone there or reply to emails or return calls. So I sent an email to H&K GmbH. Someone there replied that "the markings indicate the hammer-forging machine that was used to manufacture the barrels," which I am not convinced of.

Now, below HJLA both barrels are marked J near the breech. HK USA replied that "J is reserved for proof house use." Q.2 What does that really mean and is it true?

This RFI is cross-listed on HKPRO, Sturmgewehr, The Firing Line, Carolina Firearms Forum, Carolina Shooter Club, and M14 Forum.

Thank you.

 

[AGG]

HJ will be the manufacturing year (79)--- not certain on the other letters:

Parts

A B C D E F G H I J
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

This barrel would be proper for a HK91 ("HK" date code- 1979):

Receivers

A B C D E F G H I K
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Tony

 

[Yahamshari]

Anyone has convincing answers to the remaining two questions below?

The 17.716" barrels on my 1979 HK91 A-2 and A-3 rifles are factory marked HJLA on one side. I reached out multiple times via email and telephone to HK-USA in Columbus, GA but as in the past no one answers the telephone there or reply to emails or return calls. So I sent an email to H&K GmbH. Someone there replied that "the markings indicate the hammer-forging machine that was used to manufacture the barrels," which I am not convinced of. I learned from AGG that HJ reference the manufacturing year (79). Q.1 What do LA reference?

Parts
A B C D E F G H I J
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Receivers
A B C D E F G H I K
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

AGG confirmed that the barrels are proper for my HK91s ("HK" date code 79).

Now, below HJLA both barrels are marked J near the breech. HK USA replied that "J is reserved for proof house use." Q.2 What does that really mean and is it true?

Thank you.

 

[AGG]

Have you contacted HK GmbH in Germany?

Global Corporate Headquarters & Primary Manufacturing Center​

HECKLER & KOCH GmbH
Postfach 1329 D-78722
Oberndorf/Neckar Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 74 23 79 -0
Fax: +49 (0) 74 23 79 -23 50
Global Website: www.heckler-koch.com

Tony

 

[Klaus]

Ive often wondered what the four letter stamping referred to as well.Couldnt make sense of a HI date coded 91A2 with HKKP stamped on the barrel.

 

[Yahamshari]

Re: Q.1

A fellow HK enthusiast advised that LA is a lot number.

 

[bystok]

Those were the Lower Alabama models that gave birth to the swamp man advertisement

 

[AGG]

Those were the Lower Alabama models that gave birth to the swamp man advertisement

Still want the brochure?

Tony

 

[Tailflash]

Not just letters on the barrels; to add to the confusion, I'll throw in a few numbers to the mix:

Re: II Date Coded Desert & Woodland Camo HK91s. The woodland camo SerNo was produced soon after the desert camo SerNo, albeit '6J' on the woodland would have been stamped higher than '6M' (you'd think), that is if these barrels had anything in relation to their host receivers SerNos. Both of these barrels have a smaller 'KF' stamping further back:



And whatever 'XC' means on this II date coded Desert HK93, with a barrel manufacturing data of 'IE'...

HK53 barrel:

 

[AGG]

And whatever 'XC' means on this II date coded Desert HK93, with a barrel manufacturing data of 'IE'...

IE WC and IE XC on barrels would connote a 1:12 twist.

ID (83) (none manufactured/imported)
IE (84) (none manufactured/imported)
IF (85) (none manufactured/imported)
IG (86) (none manufactured/imported)

IC, ID, and IE parts were used extensively on HK93's (1987-1989).

Tony