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I have a reproduction mounting rail for a 1913 Warner Swasey scope rail and would like to see how close the dovetail width is compared to an original. If someone (or several people) with a micrometer could post this dimension it would be greatly appreciated. The dimension would be edge to edge across the face o the dovetail. Thanks---Salt Flat
I may get a chance to check mine in a few days.
0.656" or thereabout. Most scopes will have some looseness. But it doesn't seem to hurt under normal conditions.
Here's a couple of pics I found on my computer a few days ago, which are somewhat related to this discussion. I thought they might be useful to store here for research posterity. :)
Drawing dated 7/2/40
Titled: Sketch to guide fitting of telescopic sight (Ross Rifle) to a Rifle No3 (Patt '14)
Also a wartime pic of a sniper with a Warner Swasey scope mounted on a P14 rifle.
Regards,
Doug
Jmoore and Badger--Thanks for the replies. I don't know where else I could have found this information. It looks like my repro rail is real close at .652. I see a lot of the mounts had a thumbscrew added to take out any slop. The scoped P14 picture is awesome. I've never seen one of these and I wonder how few are still out there.
Salt Flat
According to Herbert McBride, the common solution for those shooters on the front lines in WWI worried about loss of zero or inability to shoot accurately with the set-up "as issued" was to use broken off strips of "safety razor" blades inserted between the scope and mount. Then rusted in place on purpose to really lock things together.Quote:
Originally Posted by Salt Flat
Not saying that's what you ought to do, but if you ever find yourself in the trenches...
Just as a closing thought, the edge to edge dimension isn't a great indicator of whether the dovetail itself is correctly dimensioned. Any radiusing of the edge will change the size whilst not affecting the fit of the assembly.
And what's a thread without a photo?
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...stuff033-1.jpg
Don't think I've one with the scope off, yet.
Here's an OLD thread from 2009, but it was an interesting read ... :)
Warner Swasey scope mounted on a Patt. 14 (T)?
I guess it's also where I found the original drawing above, kindly posted by Simon.. :cheers:
Regards,
Doug
Awesome picture. That rifle looks totally untouched since 1918!
I wish! The scope and mount are original. But not to that rifle. It's too old. And the stock is a little too new for the rifle. (Two reinforcement cross screws.) It shoots well, though, with ammo it likes. Horribly with ammo it doesn't!Quote:
Originally Posted by Salt Flat
jmoore, shouldn't the rail be mounted much closer to the barrel?
Nope. The location is correct. There are two locking notches in the mount, which I presume are for the user's benefit. Just don't choose the wrong one, as the zero will change some.
OK, it looked somewhat wrong in the picture of you :)
It was carefully measured and compared to multiple photos of original rifles to generate the mount placement. Also, the stock cuts are fairly specific if done correctly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmoore
Do you shoot it with the scope in place? I am afraid to shoot mine, fearing the scope may self distruct. I would love to give it a try but would hate a messed up scope.
I am sure mine is a put together, and paid accordingly. Anyone heard of one of these built on a RIA rifle?
There is one pictured in C.S. Ferris book on the RIA M1903, however he describes that is the only legit one known.
What usually happens is the coating inside the scope body flakes off and sticks to the graticule plate. So you end up having specks or chunks in the field of view. Seems perpetual. Take the cover off, clean it, shoot it, and there's specks again. Or ignore the specks and continue using it. Seems to be about the same. Otherwise the optics don't seem to give much trouble if the glue is good. And the interior is dry. Nitrogen or only opening the works on cold clear days seems to be the answer there.Quote:
Originally Posted by mike radford
Externally, the screws and elevation plate may want to seize if the scope isn't exercised regularly. Generally nothing that can't be sorted with patience and penetrating oil.
I only have the one (a 1908 model wouldn't be out of the question), but my optics friend has dealt with quite a few. Even made a tiny acme screw for the windage adjuster. Really all the scope is one half of a set of binoculars with some external gadgetry. Have seen them filthy internally, fogged up, seized, beat with an "ugly stick", and generally forlorn, but the lenses themselves seem to hold up OK.
ETA: I would also guess that 99.5% of the W-S rifles out there now did NOT have scopes in WWI.
Thanks jmoore. I shot some of my Japanese snipers and the flakes are a problem with them too. The purist think I am nuts but it is hard to enjoy them if you worry about a few flakes. I am getting used to taking WW2 era scopes apart more and more. So far, they are not as complex and spooky as they appear on the outside. They also appear to be more tough than many believe.
The main problem I have with the Japanese scopes is zeroing! Huge bother. Even with a custom offset clamp-on optical "boresighter". Flakes? Not so much, if any.Quote:
Originally Posted by mike radford