WTK: What do 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. 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, The Firing Line, Carolina Shooters Club, and M14 Forum.


Thank you.

 

[Yahamshari]

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

Thank you.

 

[Yahamshari]

Re: Q.1

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

 

[cubrock]

Re: Q.1

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

HJLA may very well indicate what hammer forging machine made the barrel. Year and lot number. Makes perfect sense to me that they would keep records on what machine made what lot. What you got told by HK could very well be true, even if they didn’t explain the details to you.