Telescope Sighting No. 32 Mk II

Mmmmmm, interesting querie but they certainly DO exist. I have seven Watsons recorded between 12276 and 13980. Strangely, 13190 and 13980 are both Mk1's! There are Watson 14's by the bucketfull from 141xx to 149xx and the first of these, up to 144xx have plenty of Mk1's spread amongst them. The last Mk1 in that 14 batch is 146xx. They are scarce though because of the many thousands I have recorded that I have worked on in the past, it's made me realise that these are few and far between compared with the remainder.

What is strange, and prompted by these comments is that several of this 14xxx batch, including 14593 definately HAS been re-engraved over the earlier very light engraving because even though it's been phosphated and painted, you can still see some earlier markings including another serial number(?) under the not-quite-straight 14593.

As a matter of interest, on the UIC Mk2/1,s, the Mk3 drum type index plate was retained to the turret housing by cheeseheaded 8BA screws. The same (?) drums were held to the Mk3 turret by countersunk/self centreing screws.

I can see this thread taking off somehow.................

Just checked my 2/1, never noticed, learned a lot today!! Thanks

Well there you go.....they DO exist, but there doesn't seem to be many of them does there? I wonder why?

Peter, presumably the cheese head screws on the 2/1 would be a follow on from the Mk2.....?

ATB

Sorry last comment on last post sounds daft.....what I meant was it would presumably be explicable because they used the same index plates on the 2/1 as on the Mk2 ???.......but they were then modified to countersunk holes for the Mk3.
ATB

On the subject of UIC, indicating United Instruments, it was a joint group of small independent instrument companies that usually worked as small-time sub contractors for the big TTH's, CTS's etc etc around the Country. A bit like Houghton Butcher, that came together for the war but UIC was 'controlled/directed' by the giant Vickers company. The Vickers archivist told me recently that the reason UIC didn't succeed as did HBM, was was that it encompassed so many small firms that each thought that they were missing out a bit on their chunk of the work. HC Ryland or HCR (of Scout Reg Telescope fame...., or infamy due to the fact that nothing in their telescopes was ever interchangeable, even among their OWN stuff!) were one of the small companies..... So they went their separate ways, touting for any instrument business that they could get........ Several of them can be seen today as the odds and sods companies whose initials and logos can be seen on the simple No 42 and 53 telescopes. HHS was one such company who were part of UIC and who also made lenses for CTS. Anyone know of any of the others. All long gone now

There, another little bit of not-quite Lee Enfield history that you never knew until now!

UIC index plates, made for production Mk2/1 telescopes have cheeseheaded/bored screw holes
Mk3 standardised index plates are identical in silhouette but have countersunk screw holes. Reason given below

It's getting technical now - but you CAN use a Mk3 index plate to repair a needy Mk1 or 2 range or deflection drum providing you use a .035" (I seem to remember) spacer/washer between the plate and the drum head shaft. From this you will realise that Mk1 and 2 index plates are NOT interchangable with the Mk2/1 and Mk3

It is this very querie that lead me to the answer above concerning UIC. Because the CT&S/Vickers drawing of the Mk3 index plate shows it having been drawn by UIC and having cheeseheaded/bored retaining screw holes! Confirming the CT&S, Vickers and UIC connection!

The REASON why the UIC Mk3 type index plate was recessed for cheeseheaded screws was in order to be able to centralise the deflection lead screw shaft over the screwhole in the deflection cursor (it's getting anorakish now.....). Not necessary with the cheaper and simpler production Mk3 because in the Mk3, the lead screw screwed a nut up or down onto a spring loaded graticle block. Simple.............. Phew!

You must be blessed with a gift for teaching because I actually managed to follow it!

ATB

It's years of writing EMER's. Any wiggle room was frowned upon too - as were words like 'gently swage' or 'tighten until tight' or 'a degree of loosness is acceptable'. Correcting others work was also a minefield too as any of you teachers will appreciate!

Hi All,

I saw this thread just now and thought I would add some pics of my No 32 Telescope: Serial No. 13998, Manufacturer W. Watson, 1943. Can one trace the history of this scope, for instance where it did service, if any, and how it ended up in South Africa?

Attachment 21796

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lance

I have had a couple requests for pic's of the scope markings on the Mk II's, so here they are for all to enjoy.

Per the data and observations available makers and s/n range:

Kershaw Ltd. 8000-9599
HBM Co. 10220-11999
W. Watson 12000-14999
Kershaw Ltd 15000-16499
Vickers 1-565 (Mk 2/1)
REL 475-C – 650-C

Early Vickers Mk 2/1 scopes bear the OS1650A Mk II markings but are set up as Mk 2/1’s. I have yet to find a Vickers Mk II, if someone has one please speak up. I have also not yet found a converted Mk 2/1 fitted to a matching rifle, hopefully there are some out there to find one day.

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I was reading through this old thread and noticed that the REL MkII's began with 475-C

Then I checked my scopes and found this:

Attachment 137501

So, could this be the first ever REL MkII made?