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Thread: Very early scopes on the Martini and Enfield rifles

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    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    Very early scopes on the Martini and Enfield rifles

    There are fragmentary references to early telescopic sights in the late Victorian era, and it seems the NRA of GB had some competitions that permitted them, even before the Great War.

    This is an example by Alex Henry from I assume the 1880s or 90s.

    Has anyone seen another similar or the same, or a rifle with bases for something like this?
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    Last edited by Surpmil; 11-22-2020 at 02:49 AM.
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

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    Legacy Member Strangely Brown's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Surpmil View Post
    There are fragmentary references to early telescopic sights in the late Victorian era, and it seems the NRA of GB had some competitions that permitted them, even before the Great War.
    This would be Match Rifle; still a major discipline within the NRA (GB) and Australiaicon.

    Match rifle whilst only allowing 7.62mm/.308 gives the competitor the choice of whatever bullet weight he or she chooses; during the interwar period there were many experiments by the match rifle fraternity to develop the MkVII to a higher degree with the help of ICI who were producing rifle ammunition at the time.
    Mick

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    Ah Yes. I have one that is identical, although whilst I do not have bases for it the back end of the scope bears a mounting plate (for the want of a better description) that is contoured to fit an Lee Enfield or Lee Metford rifle body. It is not dated but I have assumed that it is probably around the 1890's to 1900 era. Busy day today but I'll try & get some photo's of it later.

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    Interesting old optic.
    Regards, Jim

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    😭😣😫 yet another antique scope I now need.

    Tell me there is no history of military use....

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    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Micheal Doyne View Post
    😭😣😫 yet another antique scope I now need.

    Tell me there is no history of military use....
    There certainly should have been!
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

    Much changes, much remains the same.

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    Photo's taken late at night in artificial light by technologically challenged photographer, but I think you can see what we were alluding to; the shaped plate & also the bolt & wing nut, which as far as I can see would have necessitated the drilling of a transverse hole through the butt socket.

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    Roger you have just explained and showed the answer to what the %$#@ was on this rifle. Have seen several with holes in the Butt socket.

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    Ha! Glad to be of service............had any of the rifles still got their front base on them.....???? I presume the bolt & plate attachment served as the rear anchoring point.
    Last edited by Roger Payne; 11-22-2020 at 07:15 PM.

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    Legacy Member Bindi2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Roger Payneicon View Post
    Ha! Glad to be of service............had any of the rifles still got their front base on them.....???? I presume the bolt & plate attachment served as the rear anchoring point.
    Not that I remember. The Martini is not my curse. The early LEs with a hole did not go right through and was for a different target sight.

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