British Model 18/ Ozzie Pattern 18 sniper Scope Rubber eyepiece

Is there anybody who is currently or has previously made a replica of the rubber eyepiece?

If no, how many scope owners would be interested in a replica?

I'm in contact with another military optics collector who has succesfully cast some lovely rubber replica parts for WW11 Kriegsmarine binoculars that may be prepared to have a go at casting some copies.

There was an earlier thread on this subject but could not find it, there was a forumer who had an original and posted a picture. Would that forumer or any other owner of an original be prepared to furnish some critical measurements? :sos:

I would be very interested in repro rubber eyecups. I was chasing pictures / info on them a while ago, but didn't get enough details to do anything with them. Will see if I can find it, there was one intact here in oz...

I too would be interested.

Someone from Oz posted a pic previously either here or over at Gunboards:confused:

Well at least there's some interest, lets hope an owner with an original rubber eyepiece will take pity on us lesser mortals with scopes but without the eyepiece and help with the project.

I was some time ago in touch with an owner, I think was from the land down under but he didn't want to remove rubber eyepiece from the scope fitted for fear of it being damaged.

Attached is the picture somebody posted, but was it on this forum?

I would be in for two. One to use and one as a spare. Something that I would think is important is that the rubber is not of a hardened vulcanized composition. It needs to be soft enough to go on and come off easily (and not rip) so that the scope can still be stored in the carrying case.

Thank you,
Michael
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...xTFgtWkl-1.jpg

I think I've seen this discussed before.... :)

Great pics .. :thup:

You might want to try our Google CSE custom search engine located in the top right corner below the words "Advanced Search". It only searches our site using Google techniques and can be quite efficient. For example, in your case, type in the words lithgow rubber eyepiece or sniper rubber eyepiece etc.... and see what happens ..

Regards,
Doug

Valley, I'd be interested in two.

ATB

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Valleysniper

If no, how many scope owners would be interested in a replica?

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Two please ... :cheers:

Regards,
Doug

Two for me please.

I suppose the 1930's vintage Pattern 1918 scope takes the same eyeshade. But I generally pull rubber eyeshades off, anyway. Mmmmph. Probably not.

Valley, that pic is one that I had come across too. I can't remember if it was me who posted it here or I got it from here when you did. I don't have any details on it but I do have a better pic of one and the forum name of the owner, I will track him down if I can. In the meantime, here's the better pic, I will leave it as big as the upload will take in case you need to use proportions to come up with measurements.

I would think your mate making them would have an idea about how much undersize to make the bit that goes on the scope. It may be a percentage, like 5% smaller than the scope OD. From there, dimensioning might not be too hard. One thing I do recall, the original is tapered in the wall thickness, to near nothing at the back making it very plyable on the eye socket

Attachment 37850

edit to add; I have just sent a PM to the owner of this one over at gunboards, and checked to find he is a member here also. He was in the discussion a while back on the topic here, link to thread

Lithgow Sniper eyepiece cover

Hopefully he'll be along shortly.... the owner of the other pic started that thread. He is still about too... maybe he'll say g'day as well....

Hi count me in for 2 one to puit on and one for a spare. Thanks Alan Abramson

Attachment 37857Attachment 37858Attachment 37859Attachment 37860Attachment 37861Attachment 37862

Son

Thanks for your efforts and the new pic, perhaps with some International
Cooperation the project will become viable.

The dimension and flair angle of rubber eyepiece etc I obtained from a picture of a side on scoped rifle. Using known dimensions on mounts/rifle to prepare a scale to estimate dimensions, think might have sent it to you before Son? I obviously know scope ocular bell O/S diameter and visible diameter of ocular lens. However dimensions such as rubber wall thickness would be best guesses. I have a few original British optics rubber eyepieces and original and copy German WW11 sniper scope eyepieces, the rubber wall thickness varies from 2.10 mm to 2.74 mm however these are for much bigger scope, I would guess Model 18 rubber wall thickness about 2 mm or perhaps under this. I note your comments regarding the tapering wall thickness, but was this taper from the very rear of the reinforcing flange to the start of angle of flair? (Obviously actual flare part tapers). I would have guessed if not told otherwise the wall thickness would be consistent along length until start of flare to avoid drooping when fitted.

Look forward to anything else you can come up with and hopefully convincing an owner to help out.

I would add that I’m not trying to get this project done to make anything out of it, just to get some done for my own scopes and hopefully other interested scope owners. If I can get anything replicated by the guy I know people can deal direct with him.

FlightRN

Will try and get you a copy made of Epoxy Resin:lol:

Jmoore

Nobody’s forcing you, but attached are some tease pictures. note pre war exercise picture, is that 'home made' eyepiece or one in a different colour rubber such as pink or White. The Germans had pink coloured rubber parts on some of their optics. Now there's a thought anybody want to specify a colour or flavour on their rubber bit? Oops this is getting out of hand now!!!:o

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Valleysniper

Jmoore Nobody’s forcing you, but attached are some tease pictures. note pre war exercise picture, is that 'home made' eyepiece or one in a different colour rubber such as pink or White. The Germans had pink coloured rubber parts on some of their optics. Now there's a thought anybody want to specify a colour or flavour on their rubber bit? Oops this is getting out of hand now!!!

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Force? Yes there's somebody forcing me. It's the evil little fellow who lives in my head! Might give in yet...

Could the "light colored" eyepiece be merely wrapped with a bit of khaki? It's not too far off the tone of some of his web gear.

It occurs to me that the front of the core could be made in several sizes very easily. Would silcone rubber be an option for those who would use them? It would stay flexible longer. If drawings could be found it seems like an easy mold to pour from Repro other similar. Pattern could be turned from aluminum or plastic.

Count me in for one as well.

Found some more info in my files. Just gotta find the bloke that sent it to me....

. It measures 85 mm long- 43mm at the bell end- 35 mm at the mounting end - 3mm raised lip on that end as well. Also has a moulding seam down either side.

Attachment 38153

Attachment 38152

Attachment 38151

[QUOTE=Son;242805]Found some more info in my files. Just gotta find the bloke that sent it to me....

. It measures 85 mm long- 43mm at the bell end- 35 mm at the mounting end - 3mm raised lip on that end as well. Also has a moulding seam down either side.

Attachment 38153

Attachment 38152


They did not have Metrics back then young fella. How about a real ruler in real imperial measurements i know you can do it. I reckon the inside measurement might be needed as well.
I have a feeling that that rubber piece was used for something else. They were in the shed when i was a kid.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...c80d7c81-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...c090aeea-1.jpg

Fence sitting, still.Just can't see forcing one over the eyepiece...If things were more settled around here i'd volunteer to manufacture some. But it's projects on top of projects right now!

Hi Son

Many thanks for your efforts.

Wasn't far out on the estimated length of eyepiece was I based on a picture and scale I sent you? I made it 84 mm long 1 mm out.

Still need some other critical dimension though. Will PM you.

Looking closer to a replica becoming a reality.

I'd like two

I'd be happy to take one!

I make the two leather versions (same idea/style as the WW1 German issue examples) a long one and a short one; depending on which end of the scope they attach to...

Hi All,
Has there been any updates on a reproduction Pattern 1918 Sniper Scope eye shield? I am willing to buy a few.
Regards,
Mark.