No. 32 Scope Reproduction attempt

I am planning on attempting this but not sure how well it will go. Does anyone have very detailed pictures and drawings of the No. 32 scope? Also a list of materials and metals that were used to make one. I will be making the scope as a complete dummy one. It will not function as a scope in anyway. I will attempt to make the adjustment knobs move and turn but once again they will not function. I will update everyone on my progress along the way. Also depending on the time and cost I will most likely attempt to sell a few after the first is made. Has anyone ever tried this before or think this idea would work?

Peter Laidler has written some very informative articles that are resident on this site. Search for " Phoenix Rising from the Ashes" Part 1&2. Don't know if he's got Part 3 ready however we're all looking forward to it. Good luck with your project. Ron

I once started making a functional replica from a No53, but life got in the way of what was a time consuming and non-paying job.

It wasn't proving an easy job, even for someone who has experience with repairing weaponsight optics, in making astronomical telescopes and has a small machine shop.

Making a non functional replica would be an order of magnitude easier of course.
You'll need access to a lathe, without a doubt.

There is a partially dimensioned drawing of the No32 Mk3 in "The British Sniper" by Ian Skennerton and Peter Laidler ( a superb book ) - I'm pretty sure it would be possible to reverse engineer that to provide all the exterior dimensions needed. I'm going to do it myself at some point using 3D CAD software ( Solidworks )

I haven't been able to find a copy of "Telescope Sighting No32" by Peter Laidler :( but I would imagine that to be absolutely required reading.
There is a lot of useful information on the No32 and it's associated mounting system in the same authors book on the No4T.

When you say 'non functional' do you mean there will be no optics at all ?
It wouldn't be too difficult ( relatively speaking ) to create something which you can look through, and even has a grat. Especially if it didn't have to deal with any recoil.

I'm not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for, but there's an entry in the England Section (click here) of the MKL (Milsurp Knowledge Library), showing the dimensions of the No.32 scope, including the measurements of the cross wires etc.

http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...s/sniper-6.jpg(Click PIC to Enlarge)http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...s/sniper-7.jpg

1952 Instructional Pamphlet for No.4 Mk1(T) sniper rifle (click here)

Note: After you click on images to ENLARGE them, you may find they automatically size smaller in your browser's window making them harder to view. The auto sizing is your browser's way of keeping images entirely within the screen size you have set. Move your mouse pointer to the bottom centre of the pic and you will see an options panel appear. There will be a small square box next to the large X, which will have a pointer arrow sticking out of it. If it's illuminated, it means the pic you're viewing can be enlarged, so click on this box and the pic will EXPAND and open to its normal size.

Also, as mentioned by rgg_7, Peter Laidler has published a two part article series on how to rebuild a totally unserviceable scrap No.32 telescope, which you also may find helpful ... :)

"Phoenix Rising from the Ashes" - Part 1 (click here)

"Phoenix Rising from the Ashes" - Part 2 (click here)

Finally, with thanks to member mudpuppy, check the article titled Mechanical Blueprints and Specifications for the Enfield No.4 Mk1(T) Sniper Rifle (click here) in the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here).

Regards,
Badger

I got a copy of "Telescope Sighting No32" by Peter Laidler from ds-solutions.co.uk
good book, it helped me machine a mount for my No32 mk1

Andy.

Badger....thanks for posting the links. This site has some great reference material.

Peter....any update on Part3 "Phoenix Rising from the Ashes"

Joseph_85...You could take a No42 or 53 scope tube and modify for your project. A chap in NZ had Israeli ones for sale...they were complete and in very good condition.

Ron

If No53 scopes are still reasonably priced ( I paid £25 a few years ago for one with light damage ) then it would be much better than starting from scratch.

The square block which houses the adjusting mechanism looks like it started life as a casting from the No32's I have had a chance to examine, I don't know how accurate a replica the original poster wants to make, but there is that to take into account. It's rather more complex in shape than it first seems from photographs.

My plan for the functioning replica was to transplant parts from a Russian PSO scope - the siderail type intended for AK variants. They have a FFP moving graticle system like the No32 and a similar method of zeroing the range and windage scales. But then at the time I had access to PSO's for next to nothing, so it wasn't a big deal to break one up just to get the parts I needed. The PSO grat itself is unusable - it's nice, but hardly authentic.

The Mk3 MUST be the easiest option. Using N053 tubes would make it a bit of a doddle.......... (DODDLE: Armourers technical term for 'pretty simple')

Thank you so much for everything so far information wise. The reproductions I am planning on making will not be any type of optic. The will just be a plain tube. I have access to a full machine shop that I restore military vehicles at. so actually building the scope will not be that hard once started and get all the machines set up. I am WW2 Re-enactor and my impression is a RCEME (Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineer) I do a weapons display that has basic styles of SMLE and Light Machine guns. the armors display I have I have been told is quite impressive for common wealth stuff. The only SMLE I am missing right now the T. Just being a display is why I am creating a non-functioning scope. I would love to have a functional one but right now it just isn't possible. I know this will be a very hard task but the outcome would be great. dont think i have the know how to make one function either. Thank you so much for the information so far once again.

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Originally Posted by Joseph_85

Thank you so much for the information so far once again.

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You're welcome .... :thup:

Something else I forgot to mention, which may really help you if you started this project, would be to obtain a couple of excellent technical books on the No.32 scopes written by Peter Laidler.

In addition to being a trained and highly experienced military "Armourer", he has authored two excellent books about the No.4(T) sniper rifles and their No.32 scopes. They are titled "An Armourer's Perspective: .303 No.4(T) Sniper Rifle", which he co-authored with Ian Skennerton and his own dedicated work, "Telescope Sighting No.32".

If you're really interested in some in-depth learning about the No.4(T) sniper rifles and the No.32 series of scopes, their history, evolution, repair and adjustments for shooting, we'd highly recommend those two books, which are pictured below.

http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...Laidler-HC.jpg(Click PIC to Enlarge)http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...32-Laidler.jpg

Just ordered them cant wait till they come in and I can start this whole thing. Will take time but hope everything will be worth it in the end.

I'd recommend using one of the older Weaver scopes which have the same tube size (1 inch) and a similar bell eyepiece and sort-of-similar turret positions. You could lengthen it a bit with a brass tube if you wished. The one in the pic is a 1.5 - 4.5 zoom but several Weavers look correct. They are extremely solidly built and can be bought cheaply on ebay.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joseph_85

I am WW2 Re-enactor and my impression is a RCEME (Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineer) I do a weapons display that has basic styles of SMLE and Light Machine guns.

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How about a display of period armourers tools and a rifle or LMG in the process of being worked on ? - that would be a great piece of 'living history' and a little out of the ordinary.

Quote:
How about a display of period armourers tools and a rifle or LMG in the process of being worked on ? - that would be a great piece of 'living history' and a little out of the ordinary.



I actually do have a very good Armorers Display that I put out and work on weapons at the events. I work on the guys weapons at the events and fix mine. I am currently working on a 1 1/2ton Chevy with a box van on the back that will be a functioning armorer shop and mechanic shop when finished. I am one of those guys who likes being different at the events not being normal infantry guy or tanker. I have had alot of comments and good reviews over my impressions. Not alot of guys do this stuff like that I am told. It is just hard to find armorer tools and books on the way RCEME's did things.



Well on to the No. 32. I have ordered 2 books and hopefully they will help me out in this endeavor. I also have thought about it and decided on getting a No. 53 or 42 in order to be more precise in measurement and possibly use the bodies as a start.

Suggest your simplest method is to shell out for a genuine No32 Mk3. Make proper drawings in CAD from it, and sell it on later.

Best place to get such scopes made IMO is the former Soviet Union. If you've seen the reproduction PEM scopes and mounts, not to mention the reproduction Zeiss Zeilviers and LSR mounts etc., it's obvious they can do the work very well. You would need a local intermediary if you are not fluent and would need to be there onsite throughout production, IMO.

Unless you're serious about selling 100+ my advice is not to bother, as you will be lucky to break even, unless you can source No53 scopes to provide tubes and optics and then do the rest of the machining and fitting yourself on your own time.

The market may appear ripe, but don't take that for granted. Whoever was planning the same venture as you recently apparently decided to back out. No doubt they had their reasons.

AFAIK, No53s were never as plentiful as No42s, and the lenses would need to be repolished and coated after 70 odd years of storage. Possibly more expensive than having the lenses made from new, especially when you try to pry them out of their tubes/cells. Their otical quality would be inferior to modern production even with that treatment probably. You'll have to scour the world to find even 50 No53 scopes and on eBay they can go over $200. each.

There is a dealer in the UK who has been sitting on a quantity of No42 scopes for many years with the idea of reproducing No32s, and it hasn't happened yet, which may tell you something.

You would also have to fill and re-engrave the tubes etc. etc. Again, new production is probably cheaper and easier.

By the way, if you're interested in a one-off No32 Mk3, I've got a set of reproduction drums here, complete with index plates, needing only lead screws to function. Left overs from a previous project. Seeing as they have the index plates, they'd be rather wasted on dummy scope though.

Anyone want to convert a Mk2 to Mk2/1 specs?