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Need help with a No.32 Mk.III scope. The turrets are frozen, and I really don't want to break anything. Does anyone do repair work and what would the price range be? Alternative is how hard are these to work on? I am a gunsmith (I am not a parts changer) so am fairly competent, but just don't know enough about these to want to try and get into it. However if it would not be to difficult..... Any ideas?
Peter Laidler is the master in regard to these scopes, But I dont think he will deal with the public direct. Brian Dick of BDL Ltd will have more details
I can send it to England for servicing if you like. The problem is very common, especially in the Mk.3. It's a combination of the mastic waterproffing sealant and old lubrication turning into concrete after 60+ years. Contact me here at the shop for details if you'd like it done. I don't have any in the pipeline at this time. Brian bdlltd@bellsouth.net
---------- Post added at 06:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:49 PM ----------
Jeez, I see I'm getting dyslexic and can't spell anymore. Must be all the Suncorite I've ingested over the years!
Don't know the cost of this work.
What every you do, don't apply heat to the turrets in an attempt to free them up. I just did a total rebuilt that included lense replacements as this chap had been told that applying moderate heat was an inexpensive fix to his problem. Thankfully I had a No 53 scope available for parts. Ron(Canada).
Thanks for the info... Perhaps you all can help me a bit more. Does anyone know how to tell who made the scope base? The only markings I can find on it are the rifle serial number on the left hand side right under the rear ring and on the right side just back of the rear ring a small broad arrow and a half circle with another circle in it. I have not been able to figure out who the maker is.
Still finding out new and interesting stuff about it. Never thought I would own a No.4 T but the price was too good to pass up and other than the scope turrets being frozen it is in fantastic shape.
The rifle is a 1944 BSA and from the looks of the rifle and the info provided in Peter and Ian's book "An Armourer's Perspective: .303 No.4 (T) Sniper Rifle" It appears to have been overhauled by an Armourer and then never issued before it was sold as surplus as it looks almost new and has no FTR markings. The rifle has all the markings it is supposed to according to Peter's book and all the numbers match and the scope number matches the number on the rifle butt.
I bought it from a friend who has "reached the point in my life were I need to thin out the herd." It was the only Enfield he had as he mostly collects mausers and he owned it for twenty years before he sold it to me. He also confessed to never having fired it while he owned it.
The rifle also came with a Brass BSA oiled and Pull Through in the trap, a 1945 dated Action cover, a 1942 dated Short Rifle Cover, a 1945 dated cleaning tin complete with all the goodies, an original leather scope cover, a British marked L&B Co. 1918 dated Model 1907 sling, a No.8 Mk.I steel scope can made by B.E. Ltd. that has the rifle serial number stenciled on it and the leather carry strap for the can. The can also has and old instruction label ("Label R.339.A." to be exact) pasted in it and another hand written label with both the rifle and scope number varnished in. That label appears to have been made out of an envelope as a few words can be seen. If you turn it side ways it has.
[N HIS MAJESTY
STEN Envelope by gumming
EN by cutting Label instead
Any idea what that label was made from? Now if I can just find a transit chest.....
Thanks for the help.
Heat is the key to disassembling them but the consequences can be separated lenses and other damage in the hands of the inexperienced so it's best left to a proper Armourer/Instrument technician.
---------- Post added at 11:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 PM ----------
Forgot to mention that there were two bracket manufacturers. Both are documented in Peter's book. They're Daglish and Son and Rose Brothers. They'll be marked JD or N92 respectively. Sometimes the markings are linished clean so the contour of the brackets is another way to tell. Daglish brackets are a bit more rounded and streamlined where the Rose Brothers brackets a bit more bulky and squarish if that makes sense.
I'm probably dyslexic too but mine is marked JC, thought that was Rose Bros. and did'nt the Canadians make some brackets?:ugh::dunno:
Wow, nice find, well done ...
\the markings on the envelope should read in full
ON HIS MAJESTYS SERVICE
MOISTEN envelope (to use the sticky label)
Reuse and refasten by cutting label (instead of the envalope
All of the questions you have asked can be answered by reading a little book that Brian has
Vintage Hunter is right. The marking is JC not JD. I just looked at one.