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I have a 1943 RCAF issued Long Branch No4 Mk1*.
I am wondering which if either of the pictured rear sights is the type it originally came with and/or would be period correct?
Alternatively, should it have the 2 position 300/600 rear sight?
Thanks and cheers!
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...af101a_c-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...e724e9_c-1.jpg
It is my understanding that all three types are correct. The two position sight was a war-time stop gap and then came the Mk III. The vernier sight was considered a field upgrade.
What ever is on the rifle when it leaves service is correct.
If you intend to shoot it don't be too pedantic about what it should wearing; I would opt for the Mk1 every time.
The rifle probably left SAL with the 2 range Mk. II sight. In all likelihood, this would have been replaced with a Mk. III. A RCMP armourer might have installed a Mk. I, for enhanced adjustability. Some of these RCMP rifles were also fitted with PH5C sights. None of these options are "wrong", but the Mk. Mk. III sight would most likely have been on the rifle when in RCMP service.
Incidentally, when these rifles were deemed surplus, they were sold off for $45 or so.
RCAF, not RCMP! Good information regardless! Thanks for everyone’s input. I think I’ll install the micrometer sight, just my preference. No intention of selling it but it’s probably worth slightly more than $45, probably closer to $100.
Indeed RCAF, not RCMP! I think my sight comments would still apply. The Mk. II sights were culled in CDN service, being replaced with Mk. IIIs.
The fact is that the Mk.III is a better sight than the Mk.I for a number of reasons: the leaf does not wobble about when set and it can be set to a range in a moment and has a positive indent which can be felt as well as seen.
Whereas going from say 200 to 800 on the Mk.I involves spinning that little wheel around until the marks line up and confirming that they do only by eye.
This is why the Ross Mk.III had such a fast pitch of thread on the sight adjustment screw.
The Mk.I is more robust overall, but in war that's not the only consideration.
A cable from British Army Staff Washington dated 31-8-42 notes ' Present USA and Cdn rifles have Mark two (tip-up) sights. '