Is there a correct scope for the PH M85?

Hope there is a Parker Hale brain that can help. All my reading on the Parker Hale M85 tells of the S&B 6x42 scope being fitted as standard. Anyone know of rifles being supplied with Hensoldt 6x42 scopes fitted?

4x10 x 45 Pecar in a M85 Parker Hale one piece mount on the few I've experienced. The only other that I heard about and never seen was the 6x42 S&B. Ron (Canada)

Surely, as a privately owned independent commercial company, PH would make and supply their kit to the customers individual requirement. And price of course! If they wanted all the bells and whistles, then they got the lot and the best. If not, they got something further back down the scale so to speak.

Cheers Peter, that makes sense.

Kahles ZF84 and ZF95 in both 6x42 and 10x42, but most british ones i have seen with S&B PM1 6x42 like the L13A1

Thanks Dan.

Official PH Sales Blurb lists the scope as a 6 x 44 Daylight Telescopic Sight and it looks to me to be a BDC Tasco.

Cheers,

Simon.

Were these the replacement for the L42A1?

Very interesting pamphlet Simon. It appears that the M85 shown is a cameo painted walnut stock. I see the literature also offers a composite. Hard to tell the scope manufacturer without a larger picture. rings are definitely Parker Hale's. Sling is a rare bird...only seen a couple of those over the years.

Ron(Canada)

PS Anybody have or know of a M85 barrel for sale? Pls PM?

Ron,
The original rifles produced numbering some 50 built by Eddie Taff and Bill Smallwood at Parker Hale did indeed have Bisley wooden stocks.
It was only later on in the project that they started drying up and McMillan were approached in Arizona with the flexibility of producing the colour variants in the plastic for the rest.
The DEF STAN 05-21 or Defence Standard related to the rifle as DERA and other Government units took it onboard for evaluation and general fiddling around as they do. I am sure Peter can relay some tales lol.
It is probably these types of initials on paperwork such as the leaflet that led people to believe the rifle had been fully passed for service use. Wording seems to be used wisely on the leaflet giving that impression.
Whilst a large number of weapons went to "MOD" affiliated agencies, I can find nothing in my pile of PH stuff or on speaking to those who were there at the time, of units being allocated the M85 as a substitute sniper rifle perse!

A picture of the M85 6x44 Tasco scope as fitted on the rifle that was allocated for an article by Guns Review. Also a page from the User Handbook. You can see that it is the same scope as in Simon's pictures. If anyone knows of a spare Transit Chest - I'd be interested. Norman Clark Gunsmiths in Rugby has lots of spare parts - I don't know if he has any barrels. Sabre Defence did but their boss is "in a bit of trouble" and I don't know who took over the stockof the business.

Nigel,
The scopes were solely a choice made by the buyer and therefore, several were available much on par which each other.
Norman Clark I know have several barrels available.
The transit chests are available at an overinflated cost of £485 but like Rocking Horse poo as the current company are ceasing making them, and their foam inerds are cut for the L96 ironically and available from Sporting Services - Accuracy International Rifle Sales Agents, Accu-Shot Agents, Small Arms & Ammunition Suppliers and Ballistic Consultants. so by the time you rip out and replace with the proper plastifoam its an expensive case.
Easier to get a PELI CASE in green which is what I did.
Hope that helps
Gil

Does any body know when Parker Hale moved the M85 assembly to the USA. Was told Val Forget (sp?) Virginia was the importer and did some receiver machining/assembly? Don't know who purchased all his equipment/components when he ceased operations. Saw one of these M85 for sale by a Texas dealer last fall...impressive rifle with a S&B scope, PH sling, composite stock, no box. Like to know more about the USA assembled M85's. Ron(Canada)

Ron,
As written in my piece about the M85 losing the contract to the L96:

In 1991 Gibbs Rifle Company in the USA, finally acquired the Parker Hale M85 manufacturing licence on a 10 year lease, but did not take up the mantel to continue to produce the rifle there.

The interesting piece which I didn't include which perhaps is the right time to put it on record is, that Val Forjett of Navy Arms did in fact buy "numbered" actions from Roger Hale and put them together for customers States side.

These numbers are all recorded which I have, but sadly as I found out recently much of the historic rifles detailed records were destroyed by Modular Industries who burnt the lot...............criminal in my view but history has once again disappeared due to ignorance on retaining such valuable records.

Gil9713,

Where can I find your article?

Occasionally see M85 parts surface in the USA. I'd like to know if barrels/receivers were British proofed? Would think so however if straight assembly it's possible...the barrel on the Texas dealers M85 was marker "Parker Hale ?????????"

Ron(Canada)

Ron,
This should take you to it.........enjoy :lol:

Viewpoint - British Army Contract for L96A1 Sniper Rifle (by Gil Boyd B.E.M)