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Contributing Member
How to clean a Warner & Swasey Musket Sight
To start the whole story, I took off all W&S Musket Sights from the rifles I have them with, I took all of the spare ones I had around (including the damaged ones) to make comparisons. Therefore I also gathered all additional stuff I had, including the carrying cases, adjustment tools, mounting rails and screws. So this was the result:
As some of you might notice, there are three different models visible in the pictures. The ones on the left side are Model 1908 scopes, while on the right side you can find Model 1913 scopes. Plus the second from the top is the Canadian version of the M1913 scope, lacking the dialing plate and the heigh adjustment scale only up to 2400 yards.
Secondly, to the carrying cases. Again different models. Most commonly found is the later model with the extra flap for the adjustment tool on the outside. But also notice the second from the right, this one is for a M1908 scope and marked "14TH CAV" for 14th Cavalry both in front and on top of the cover:
This one also differs from the other M1908 bag with not having a buckle. Plus once again the one on the left side, the Canadian bag which is also of Canadian manufacture and besides bearing the C with the broad arrow in it and the manufacturers full name also carrying the rifle number and serial number of the scope itself. Of course the US carrying cans also have inspectors cartouches, but I didn't picture those.
The next interesting thing worth mentioning would be the mounting rails. Here they are:
First: all of the rails (except for the last down) are for the M1903 Springfield rifle. While the top one appears to be what Brophy describes as a copy (note the missing cutouts and not having "legs" plus having only one locking slot), the following three are for the M1903 springfield. The fourth from top is a exact reproduction which can be purchased from Hayes Otoupalik. Please also note the different curve in the rails from where the scope is slided on it. And to the last one - I have never found out for which rifle this one is, however it does not fit either for the M1903, M1910 Ross nor the Enfield P.14. And it's not one of those for the Benet-Mercie, since this would have flat feet.
Then, to the topic. As you all know these scopes are very heavy and made of brass. Most of them are filled with dirt, and cleaning them is nearly impossible, mainly because of the front lenses which are (/seemed to be) not removeable. Taking a look at the technical scheme, it seemed that there must be a possibility to remove it:
After spending quite a lot of time thinking and looking, I was finally able to design and have a tool manufactured, which allows to unscrew this lens. So, there is this tool:
To disassemble the W&S scope, you'll first need to remove the front lense. Depending upon whether you have a M1908 or a M1913 scope, this is different. With the M1908 just just need to unscrew it, while with the M1913 you first need to unscrew the locking screw. To remove the interior lense (the one that is usually dirty) with the reticle, you'll also need to unscrew the locking screw for this. I've marked them both in the pictures:
And this is the reason why they need to be removed:
This picture clearly shows where they lock everything in place!
As a matter of simplicity I've removed the parts from a M1908 scope. so, here we go. First, unscrew the front lense (this can be done by hand):
Then with the tool we can unscrew the interior lense and put it aside the front lense:
Having them side by side we can now see that they are using the same thread in the inside of the scope when we slide them together:
When holding the part now against a light we can see all the dust from the 100 years of it's age:
Also visible is the reticle, but it's not easy to take a picture of such thing and I'm sorry to have not been able to make the lines on the left side of the reticle visible aswell. However, they are present.
I won't give any suggestions upon how to clean this lens, however I'd recommend you to be VERY careful since the reticle is aswell painted onto this lense and trying to clean it might damage the reticle. Therefore my main goal - to remove most of the dust, hairs and whatever there was on the lense - was successfully reached:
The reassembling was done exactly the same way it had been disassembled. Screw everything back in place, and that's it. The only thing you have to be careful and it might take some time, to place the reticle (since it's moving along with the lense) horizontal.
For all those who also want to disassemble the rest of the scope, you just need to remove the screws from the top and then carefully starting with lifting the left side remove the top of the scope. I haven't done this by today, but still have pictures saved on my computer when someone else here posted them a while ago. So here they are:
That's it for now. Hope you enjoyed reading it, and forgive me some strange sounding terms plus repeating words, English is not my native language and it's getting hard when it comes to special terms like with scopes and disassembly.
ATB,
Georg
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Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current. |
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Last edited by Promo; 01-02-2013 at 11:49 AM.
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01-02-2013 11:18 AM
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I would have bought a W&S if I could have seen through it...
Glad to see another person who's addiction makes me look not too bad....
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Can't help, but DANG what a collection!!
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
--George Orwell
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They're pretty clear scopes once you clean them enough to see through 'em, but be prepared for new specks in the field of view if you shoot with them afterwards. Forever and ever, it seems. I just quit worrying about the specks after a while.
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Contributing Member
Dang, thanks for the positive feedback. Will try to disassemble a M1913 today to also post pictures of the lenses. And going to make better pictures of the leather cans with the cartouches.
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Legacy Member
It's no wonder I don't see any for sale, you have them all! Great scope collection, thanks for showing it. As far as the content of your article, amazing. Without guys like you our obsession with saving history would be very tough indeed. And I include a number of you fellas in my previous statement.
Last edited by GUTS; 01-03-2013 at 12:15 PM.
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Contributing Member
Might also be worth mentioning, these are the M1903 rifles which are listed in the SRS sales list as having a Warner & Swasey Musket Sight:
Code:
31548 060609TRP D 8TH CAV M1908 SIGHT TEST
37691 060609TRP D 8TH CAV M1908 SIGHT TEST
207211SGS 100308SA SCOPE TEST (M1908 #452)
313536SGS 10060922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT #199)
352271SGS M1908 SCOPE (FIELD TRIAL)
352271SGS 060709CO G 16TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352336SGS 062109CO H 3RD INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352337SGS 07150922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352340SGS 06100915TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #248)
352355SGS 060809TRP F 14TH CAV(M'08 SIGHT TEST)
352358SGS 061409CO F 16TH INF(M1908 SIGHT #701)
352359SGS 060109CO M 11TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST) (added Info: Scope M1908 S/N 99)
352367SGS 063109CO F 1ST INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352376SGS 061309TRP C 2ND CAV(M1908 SIGHT #265)
352377SGS 052609CO I 3RD ENGR(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352378SGS 061309TRP C 2ND CAV(M1908 SIGHT #961)
352380SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #912)
352380SGS 010211M1908 SCOPE (TURNED IN)
352395SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #185)
352401SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #876)
352404SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #671)
352418SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #389)
352425SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #997)
352446SGS 061209TRP M 2ND CAV(M1908 SIGHT #166)
352447SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #947)
352451SGS 061609CO E 1ST INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352453SGS 07150922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352455SGS 072111RIA (REPAIRED) (M1908 SIGHT)
352459SGS 07150922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352462SGS 060809TRP K 14TH CAV(M'08 SIGHT TEST)
352467SGS 07150922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352469SGS 072909CO H 1ST INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352473SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #694)
352479SGS 060209CO E 3RD INF (M1908 SIGHT # 95)
352479SGS 062809CO F 3RD INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352479SGS 070109CO E 3RD INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352483SGS 060709TRP A 8TH CAV(M1908 SIGHT #107)
352486SGS 073111CO L 8TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352495SGS 121910CO G 24TH INF(M1908 SIGHT #418)
352500SGS 072709TRP L 4TH CAV(M1908 SIGHT #256)
352505SGS 061609CO L 9TH INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352513SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #409)
352514SGS 122009CO F 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352516SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #756)
352520SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #717)
352533SGS 122009CO M 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352534SGS 11270912TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352537SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #844)
352540SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #902)
352542SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #812)
352545SGS 0825096TH CAV (M1908 SIGHT)
352545SGS 0825096TH CAV (M1908 SIGHT)
352552SGS 072909TRP K 4 TH CAV (M1908 SIGHT)
352554SGS 060709CO G 16TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352555SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #931)
352555SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #931)
352558SGS 052609CO I 3RD ENGR(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352572SGS 051309CO A 9TH INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352574SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #829)
352579SGS 122009CO F 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352582SGS 122009CO F 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352583SGS 072909CO H 1ST INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352591SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #404)
352596SGS 122009CO F 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352608SGS 071409CO M 3RD INF (M1908 SIGHT #894)
352609SGS 062209TRP F 12TH CAV (M1908 SIGHT)
352610SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #805)
352610SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #805)
352617SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #648)
352624SGS 06251116TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352627SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #944)
352630SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #454)
352632SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #957)
352633SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #933)
352633SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #933)
352637SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #908)
352642SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #973)
352650SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #768)
352650SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #768)
352651SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #775)
352651SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352677SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #897)
352684SGS 07090912TH CAV (M1908 SIGHT)
352697SGS 082309 4TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #696)
352704SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #804)
352706SGS 060709CO G 16TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352706SGS 06251116TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352707SGS 080609CO G 2ND INF (M1908 SIGHT #277)
352710SGS 060609TRP D 8TH CAV(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352712SGS 061609CO H 9TH INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352716SGS 122009CO F 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352717SGS 122009CO H 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352719SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #810)
352720SGS 072809CO I 1ST INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352725SGS 031212BENICIA ARSENAL (M1908 SIGHT)
352734SGS 060609TRP D 8TH CAV(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352736SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #510)
352740SGS 122009CO K 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352742SGS 122009CO E 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352743SGS 082909CO D 25TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352751SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #744)
352754SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #707)
352757SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #731)
352768SGS 07220922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT #193)
352780SGS 061009CO B 15TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352785SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #914)
352788SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #442)
352789SGS 061609CO H 9TH INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352794SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #953)
352802SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #980)
352802SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #980)
352806SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #561)
352807SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #473)
352808SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #927)
352812SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #964)
352813SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #971)
352815SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #990)
352819SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #951)
352825SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #881)
352827SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #519)
352845SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #168)
352846SGS 122009CO L 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352847SGS 063109CO F 1ST INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352858SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #711)
352858SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352863SGS 071409CO B 3RD INF (M1908 SIGHT #395)
352873SGS 061009CO E 15TH INF(M1908 SIGHT #190)
352877SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #970)
352883SGS 07150922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352885SGS 122009CO F 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352886SGS 122009CO M 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
352887SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #484)
352899SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #424)
352907SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #507)
352913SGS 07220922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT #265)
352920SGS 071409CO I 3RD INF (M1908 SIGHT #346)
352922SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #758)
352923SGS 07150922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352931SGS 061609CO L 9TH INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352932SGS 071409CO L 3RD INF (M1908 SIGHT #677)
352934SGS 07220922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT #167)
352938SGS 090819TELESCOPE PURCHASED
352946SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #965)
352947SGS 061409CO C 16TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352948SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #807)
352949SGS 061009CO B 15TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352954SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #644)
352960SGS 061409CO C 16TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352971SGS 07220922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT #601)
352976SGS 061009CO A 15TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352977SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #821)
352980SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #440)
352985SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #741)
352986SGS 081009TRP F 13TH CAV (M1908 SIGHT)
352987SGS 061409CO C 16TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
352988SGS 10 10 4TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #428)
352997SGS 07220922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT #462)
353003SGSM 0510093RD CAV (M1908 SIGHT #333)
353004SGS 122009CO F 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353021SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #819)
353022SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #652)
353025SGS 062109CO M 2ND INF (M1908 SIGHT #260)
353028SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #921)
353029SGS 122009CO L 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353032SGS 122009CO M 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353033SGS 122009CO I 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353034SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #816)
353036SGS O62809CO L 28TH INF(M1908 SIGHT #721)
353040SGS 070909 12TH CAV(M1908 SIGHT #470)
353046SGS 071409CO A 3RD INF (M1908 SIGHT #543)
353050SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #401)
353058SGS 121910CO G 24TH INF(M1908 SIGHT #449)
353060SGS 122009CO H 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353079SGS 061009CO A 15TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
353094SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #998)
353098SGS 061009CO B 15TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
353102SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #900)
353104SGS 061409CO C 16TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
353112SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #882)
353114SGS 10 10 4TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #435)
353122SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #751)
353123SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #554)
353124SGS 10 104TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #848)
353126SGS 07150922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
353139SGS 072909TRP K 4TH CAV (M1908 SIGHT)
353152SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #948)
353155SGS 070211M1908 SIGHT
353155SGS 072111RIA (REPAIRED) (M1908 SIGHT)
353160SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #465)
353173SGS 122009CO K 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353179SGS 051309CO A 9TH INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
353187SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #916)
353192SGS 09301014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #684)
353196SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #504)
353197SGS 061009CO E 15TH INF(M1908 SIGHT #446)
353203SGS 10 10 4TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #429)
353205SGS 061609CO E 1ST INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
353212SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #364)
353218SGS 07150922ND INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
353218SGS 06251116TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353225SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #939)
353228SGS 122009CO H 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353232SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #895)
353237SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #506)
353240SGS 06140916TH INF (M1908 SIGHT # 40)
353240SGS 06251116TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353247SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #524)
353248SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #952)
353254SGS 122009CO F 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353261SGS 051609CO L 17TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
353264SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #556)
353272SGS 061009CO A 15TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
353283SGS 060809TRP K 14TH CAV(M'08 SIGHT TEST)
353285SGS 06251116TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353289SGS 061609CO L 1ST INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
353291SGS 122009CO F 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353292SGS 122009CO F 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353299SGS 060809TRP F 14TH CAV(M'08 SIGHT TEST)
353301SGS 122009CO F 25TH INF (M1908 SIGHT)
353310SGS 072509CO I 16TH INF(M1908 SIGHT TEST)
353317SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #799)
353326SGS 08050914TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #729)
353327SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #733)
353330SGS 100609CO D 25TH INF(M1908 SIGHT #361)
353448SGS 10031014TH INF (M1908 SIGHT #928)
353522SGS 071409CO K 3RD INF (M1908 SIGHT #366)
353594SGS 072809CO I 1ST INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
409417SGS 122311CO E 2ND INF M1908 SIGHT
409563SGS 01051126TH INF (M1908 SIGHT TEST)
454477SGSM 091339WARNER & SWASEY
603357 011920WARNER SIGHT TEST
977303 011920WARNER SIGHT TEST
As you can see most of the M1908 scopes were mounted on M1903s in the 352.XXX to 353.XXX serial range. However, also some of them were mounted on 409.XXX rifles.
Which scope had been on 454.477 - I don't have a clue, but maybe already the first prototype for the M1913 scope. Maybe also worth mentioning: serial 603.357 and 977.303 are dated 1920, maybe an afterwar-evaluation of these rifles?
For what I know the M1913 scopes can usually be found in the 625.XXX to 633.XXX and 920.XXX to 940.XXX serial range. At least this is what I have seen from the serials that were originally etched into the scope arm.
If anyone has a W&S scope at home, doesn't matter if it's serialized to a rifle or not, please send information upon the serial and if existing the rifle's serial to me. Currently trying to make a list and would love to find as much as possible.
Oh yes, and I have the disassembled M1913 scope in front of me. But haven't had the time for pictures, sorry!
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Wow. GREAT WS collection. Now let's see if I can work up the courage to take my WS apart.
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Maybe a silly question guys, but how do you remove the eye cup from it's lens assembly?
Thanks,
Paul.
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My 1913 has a small steel eyecup instead of the big rubber one. It has cuts in the base to allow it to be compression fit in the eyecup ring. Is this a commercial aftermarket part to replace the rubber eyecup? No markings. It's very well machined.
---------- Post added at 10:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:23 PM ----------
How do you clean them properly so as not to damage it? My reticle is pretty dirty, it is also rotated a bit to the right, I want to try to straighten it in any event.
Last edited by oldhoodoo1; 04-02-2015 at 11:27 PM.