Australian Central Sight

[Strangely Brown]

Can anybody advise me of the date of introduction of this sight please?

Information

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[22SqnRAE]

Mick,

Muffet is the man to describe the history of Centrals in detail for you.

I've just pulled out a Central No 4 (the last and most common) used in Target Rifle discipline and the patents on the back include the following dates: 31 May 34, 19 Dec 41 and 13 Feb 48.

There's a little background, but ask the Oracle and you'll be much better informed...

[muffett.2008]

The CENTRAL was first patented on 31/5/34 as application 17801/34 and after two years of litigation due to patent conflict, was formerly accepted 6/6/35 and cleared for production 22/10/36 with cognate 20278/34.

The first sight with rearward facing scale plates was available for sale prior to patent acceptance and was used to win the NSW Queens in 1935, Victorian Queens and Queensland Queens in 1936.

The second model, designed to be used with an adaptor side mount, was slightly shorter. by 1940 the third model, The Bisley was in production, with modified windarm and multi position base mount, allowing it to be used on both types of Central mount plates available.
This was the sight that was impressed in 1940/41 for military use.
The Central No.4 that we are familiar with was released in 1942, but was not in production until post war, about 1948/50.
Minor modifications to this model were made up until patent Expiry in 1970, after this time various clones were made.

A more rugged version of the Central was made in Australia and first manufactured as the MacRorie, than later as the T MAC.
All versions are still in use today, servicing of worn sights is still available in Australia thru Mal MacKenzie at SIA.

[Strangely Brown]

I'm indebted to you both.

The reason for the information request is because of possible rule changes to both the NRA (UK) and HBSA (Historical Breech Loading Smallarms Association) current published rules.

It's always good to have the right dates and info when the arguments start!

[Surpmil]

Would be interesting to hear what possible rule changes might affect these.

[Strangely Brown]

Would be interesting to hear what possible rule changes might affect these.

Unless you're a member of the Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association (HBSA) and shoot in their competitions it won't effect you.

SMLE's are classed as Classic (pre 1919) for competitions in the UK, however when fitted with target sights for SR"b" matches they are classed as Veteran (pre 1945) if those sights were introduced after 1919.

One oddity is the NRA (UK) SR"b" competitions where you have Classic & Veteran rifles shooting as one class as per the 1955 Bisley Bible but the Veteran (pre 1945) is extended to 1954 to include contemporary sights of the period.

Not all clubs follow this ruling and some might think it's a bit anal but as we are rewriting and updating the old HBSA 1995 rule book it's worth putting into print the introduction date of sights that were not previously covered or mentioned.
LERA class the rifle rather than the date of any sight fitted as do most clubs.

Surpmil you did ask!

[Surpmil]

Makes perfect sense to me if the intention is to have people shooting rifles that are entirely of the period they are supposed to be.