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

yahamshari · February 15, 2024, 11:09 AM

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 to HK Germany. They did not reply, instead, they forwarded my inquiry to HK USA. Someone there advised that "the markings indicate the hammer-forging machine that was used to manufacture the barrels," which I was not convinced of. A fellow HK enthusiast advised 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

The above confirm 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?

This RFI is cross-listed on HKPRO, HK ProShop, Sturmgewehr, Carolina Firearms Forum, Carolina Shooter Club, M14 Forum, and CMP.

Thank you.

https://imgur.com/1iMbsmw

Ignition Override · February 15, 2024, 04:21 PM

If people on "HKpro" either don't know, or don't want to reply, that is strange.
You might know that in some unique HK videos by "Sofi(lein)" on Youtube with a select-fire G3 plus submachineguns, her advisor is an HK armorer named Jesse

. Maybe he has a very deep contact.

Unrelated Sidenote: A really nice HK-91 (SAR) is now offered on FALfiles Marketplace.
No (weird) shell deflector, has bayonet mounted. The rifle has the typical bipod.

I have no connection to the seller.

yahamshari · February 15, 2024, 04:36 PM

Thank you for the suggestion. I left him a voicemail.

yahamshari · February 22, 2024, 04:10 PM

Correction - 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.

yahamshari · March 21, 2024, 03:42 PM

Anyone has convincing answers to the two questions in my original post?

Thank you.

yahamshari · March 22, 2024, 11:59 PM

Re: Q.1

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

February 15, 2024, 11:09 AM	#1
yahamshari Junior Member Join Date: July 29, 2013 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 14	WTK: What do the acronyms HJLA and J reference on HK91 barrels? 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 to HK Germany. They did not reply, instead, they forwarded my inquiry to HK USA. Someone there advised that "the markings indicate the hammer-forging machine that was used to manufacture the barrels," which I was not convinced of. A fellow HK enthusiast advised 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 The above confirm 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? This RFI is cross-listed on HKPRO, HK ProShop, Sturmgewehr, Carolina Firearms Forum, Carolina Shooter Club, M14 Forum, and CMP. Thank you. https://imgur.com/1iMbsmw Last edited by yahamshari; February 15, 2024 at 02:22 PM.

February 15, 2024, 04:21 PM	#2
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,887	If people on "HKpro" either don't know, or don't want to reply, that is strange. You might know that in some unique HK videos by "Sofi(lein)" on Youtube with a select-fire G3 plus submachineguns, her advisor is an HK armorer named Jesse. Maybe he has a very deep contact. Unrelated Sidenote: A really nice HK-91 (SAR) is now offered on FALfiles Marketplace. No (weird) shell deflector, has bayonet mounted. The rifle has the typical bipod. I have no connection to the seller. Last edited by Ignition Override; February 15, 2024 at 04:28 PM.

February 15, 2024, 04:36 PM	#3
yahamshari Junior Member Join Date: July 29, 2013 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 14	Thank you for the suggestion. I left him a voicemail. Last edited by yahamshari; February 18, 2024 at 08:20 PM.

February 22, 2024, 04:10 PM	#4
yahamshari Junior Member Join Date: July 29, 2013 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 14	Correction - 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. Last edited by yahamshari; February 23, 2024 at 10:17 AM.

March 21, 2024, 03:42 PM	#5
yahamshari Junior Member Join Date: July 29, 2013 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 14	Anyone has convincing answers to the two questions in my original post? Thank you.

March 22, 2024, 11:59 PM	#6
yahamshari Junior Member Join Date: July 29, 2013 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 14	Re: Q.1 A fellow HK enthusiast advised that LA is a lot number.