L42A1 spotting scope; sniper training manual

[RobD]

1. Can anyone tell me what the "correct" spotting scopes would be for the L42A1 transit chest? I know Scout Regt scope was one, but were there alternatives, and how are these identified? Photos please!

2. In the transit chest I have, there is a ring binder with the 1971 sniper training manual. Would others be interested in having a facsimile version of this for their L42A1 chest (I shall need to charge £ to defray expenses), or is it available elsewhere? Is it spurious to the chest? Also, since the manual is restricted, would I be doing something bad by reproducing it?

RD

Information

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[Alan de Enfield]

1. Can anyone tell me what the "correct" spotting scopes would be for the L42A1 transit chest? I know Scout Regt scope was one, but were there alternatives, and how are these identified? Photos please!

2. In the transit chest I have, there is a ring binder with the 1971 sniper training manual. Would others be interested in having a facsimile version of this for their L42A1 chest (I shall need to charge £ to defray expenses), or is it available elsewhere? Is it spurious to the chest? Also, since the manual is restricted, would I be doing something bad by reproducing it?

RD

In my L42 parts list it shows only item for the spotting scope

NATO Number V5/1240-99-962-2031 Telescope,straight,cased OS126GA

There are two cases listed :
a) case telescope, tropical OS2638SA
b) telescope straight 0S169MA

If you would be willing you could scan the manual to a Pdf and email it to interested parties.

I scanned the parts list and sent it to Badger who has put it in the 'library' if you want to see a full copy.

1973 Rifle 7.62mm L39A1 L42A1 (Illustrated Parts Catalogue) - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

[Peter Laidler]

I doubt if any made it into the L42 CES but during the L42 phase-out and L96 phase in (it was a long drawn=out process due to some dire metallurgical failings................) a new spotting telescope was being trialled. It was an internally adjustable variable x15 to 60 power plus focussing plus other bits and pieces etc etc. I seem to remember that it could also be fitted to a camera too. It was adopted but some of the features were 'locked down' as I seem to recall. It seemed to be OK and some went to the first Gulf 'unpleasantness' following Saddam stretching his wings a tad too far! Anyway, they turned out to be a xxxxxxx disaster out there because the internal mechanism's just jammed up solid. So the Scout Reg was put back. The big scope is still in service here where it seems to be OK but not good in the sand and dust.

The answer to the question is that if you had one of these big scopes in your L42, it could well be 'right'. I'll see if I can get some pictures of one as we don't seem to have one handy which means that I'll have to 'acquire' one for our collection

[Beerhunter]

Restricted is the lowest Security Classification that was used at the time: i.e. Restricted, Confidential, Secret, Top Secret. (Plus a few REALLY secret ones.) Umpteen outdated publications that were Classified Restricted at the time have been: bought, sold, uploaded, downloaded & reproduced. I have not heard of one instance where the government have taken any action.

[curly]

a new spotting telescope was being trialled. It was an internally adjustable variable x15 to 60 power plus focussing plus other bits and pieces etc etc. I seem to remember that it could also be fitted to a camera too.

I'm not 100% sure but I think the spotting scope Peter is referring to is a commercially available Swift zoom spotting scope - model 841 (Telemaster). Not a bad piece of kit but I've never tried to use it in a desert... They make no claims for it being weatherproof!

You need a scope stand for higher mag. and it tends to make your eye very tired very quickly. Now discontinued, the scopes turn up now and again on eBay and are not expensive. In the UK I've seen ex MOD surplus models over-painted matt black to cover the light grey/tan that they are normally finished in. I've seen a photo of an L42A1 sniper team using one of these scopes, I presume the MOD just bought them.

Curly

[Peter Laidler]

This is the the spotting scope I described and was commented on by Curly. This one is finished in Kakhi and the redundant parts of the ocular system are locked down internally to restrict its use to a simple spotting scope. I say 'simple' loosely because the magnification is adjustable from x20 to x60 with a focussing range finder from 0 to 600 metres or so, then on to infinity.

There appears to be two red painted desiccation screws in the main casing. They might well be red painted screws, but desiccation screws, they most certainly ain't!

A good spotting telescope it most certainly was but only in temperate climates. The dust in the desert was its downfall. They are still in service but not in the desert!

[RobD]

Thanks, Peter - these seem to be no longer manufactured, though one went for $36 a few days ag at shopgoodwill.com - #6012606 - Swift Telemaster Spotting Scope & Tamron Filter - 4/2/2010 4:00:00 PM

In this thread, I was enquiring about other types of leather-covered draw telescopes of the Scout Regt type - the L42A1 case I have (in storage at RFDs) has a similar military spotting scope, but not a Scout Regt. I shall post pics when I can. I suspect it is no good for the L42A1, but fortunately I have a Scout Regt scope which I can substitute.

[Peter Laidler]

I had a look at some others of this 'swift' scope in our tech stores and they don't seem to be marked commercially but they're generally known to all and sundry as 'swifts' , much as the Scout Reg Sope is known to all at the 'Captain Pugwash' telescope (a childrens TV cartoon about a pirate with a similar telescope)

[Surpmil]

I assume the Telescope Scout Regiment must take the prize for being the longest-serving piece of equipment in British service?

[Peter Laidler]

Thinking about it, I suppose it must................. But Bedford trucks take the cigar, although that's nit really comparing like for like. The true prize is the Bren Gun. Non stop from August 1938 until February 2002 and then on, by default until the last 6 were withdrawn in 2008.

The Vickers, by comparison is a mere child, from 1912 until Aden (paratroopers) and Borneo (Gurkhas) in June/July 1968