Help with Australian Pattern 1918 Scope

Hi All ,

My name is Jim and I am a newbie to the forum and computers in general .

I have acquired a Australian Pattern 1918 Sniper scope ( scope is numbered 6801 or 1089 depending on the way it is read ) with some unusual mounts . Please look at the pics and let me know if you have any information on these . The mounts look original and would best be described as Sako like .

The optics are really good and it is in very good order . If you can help it will be appreciated.
I hope the pics are OK . Jim

According to the scope designation markings engraved upon it, it should have high mounts on it. The front ring to me looks like it may well be the 'stub' of the original claw mount that has been extensively modified. The rear ring is harder, as the radius across it looks rather different to the expected, but I guess it could also be the original top part extensively modded & perhaps even built up with weld, although I think it may well be a replacement. As you say, it looks to have been done a long time ago, & the finish on rings & scope looks the same. I don't have any info on Australian official trials & experimentation, but gut instinct says to me that although of longstanding the mounts probably are not original military. However, I stand to be corrected by any forum members who might have access to any trials data.

If you don't have any useage for it, let me know. I have a scope complete with mounts which is lacking all of it's lenses .. :)

I have to agree with everything Roger has said. the front ring is a modified original. The rear, although the right type, looks too different to have been modified (why would you bother building it up all over?)... may well have been a similar design that was on the bench at the time. I note the completely different screws in the bottom of the mounts. Perhaps it was the inspiration for modifying the front ring?

I see in pic 6 the remnants of the engraved rifle number. Is it readable?

I have seen a couple of "official experiments" with mounting of the Patt18 scope to some interesting kit. To the best of my memory, none of them used dovetail mounts.

Like Roger I will lean toward it being the work of a gunsmith or talented hobbyist. Quite a few of these rifles were sold off to rifle club members 40 years ago. They removed the scopes and fitted aperture sights for competition- more often than not either selling or losing the scopes. The scopes would have had the original rings still on them, but without the bases they were of no practical use...

Are you in NSW, bison-j? A closer look might add some light to the subject...

Hello Guys ,
I want to thank you for the information that you gave me . It all contributes to the possible answer on these mounts . I am sending a few more pics that concentrate on the mounts for consideration . I am taking pics with my phone so disregard the quality. I don't see any evidence of grinding or filing anywhere as to number removal .

Son , the only thing about them possibly being altered high originals is that from memory of originals I didn't think they would have the bulk top cleanly modify like this . Maybe I am wrong .

Son, I live in the Darling Downs area in Queensland. If it becomes more interesting maybe I could arrange to Register Post the scope to you for a look.

Thanks Again Guys , Jim

Looking at these pics I am sure the front ring is a reworked original. Still not sure about the rear one, but looking at the way it is set up for clamping, there was a lot done to it if it was...

I would like to show your pics to a bloke who might be able to shed some light... The more I look at the set up, the more I think it could be something...

Here is a pic of a set of rings and bases off a highmount set up. You can see the front ring looks to have been used to make the one on your scope.

Attachment 63701