Sarco No32 Mk 1 Reproduction Scope
I've recently obtained a reproduction No4 (T) built by TVG on a 1945 Longbranch. I'm impressed with the quality of the workanship that's gone into this rifle, which is set off nicely with a Sarco No32 Mk1 repro scope.
I read reviews of the other two suppliers of repro No32 scopes and went to see a couple of them that had been fitted, I was not impressed for various reasons. So I called Sarco in Pennsylvania and after confirming with them that they could (and had) delivered to the UK, I took a chance and ordered one of their No32 Ensemble products over the phone.
Two weeks later, Sarco emailed and said that the scope was ready, they had QC checked it themselves and only then did they charge my card. A further two weeks later and the package arrived, no problems.
The scope was fixed to a well made cast bracket with dimpled thumbscrews, the rings looked solid and the whole was firmly mounted in a very good quality riveted repro No8 sheet metal box, painted green with strong opening clips. Included was the adjustment tool mounted in it's own clips, a well made leather lens cover, drills, taps, screws and the all-important front and back pads.
The scope was engraved (in an original 1940's font) with the legend "Tel Stg & No 32 Mk I & 1941 & No 13*7). It felt heavy and solid, the optics were bright, achromatic and crystal clear. The horizontal and vertical wires were straight and were fixed inside the solid graticle mount turrets, which both moved with a satisfying click. My initial impression was very good, indeed it looked like the package could have been dropped on a parachute without damage. The only issue I had was that the top (elevation) drum yard markings were offset a little from the indicator - the windage was ok tho.
The scope was fitted by an ex-REME armourer who had worked on No4 (T) rifles when serving the colours. Everything was fine, except the rear pad was too thin and had to be packed out with a 30 thou shim to correctly align the centre of the rifle bore to the centre of the scope. The rifle itself had been de-greased, serviced, bedded, crowned & the furniture sanded down, cleaned and coated.
The rifle was zeroed as described in Mr Laidler's book. The adjustment tool worked well, the outer ring on the elevation was only just nipped up and once undone, the central post moved the graticle pointer smoothly. Once tightened up and taken to the range it grouped really well at 100 yards (about 1 1/2" using 3 shots) and the elevation graduations increased the range exactly as indicated. Several "V-Bulls" were scored at 600 yards, the rifle grouped better than I could shoot!
Overall, I'm impressed with the Sarco offering. I believe they have them made in Canada to order, but they check them over in Pennsylvania before dispatch. They told me that they sell a lot in Oz and in the UK.
I hope this first post of mine is interesting to the cognoscenti on these fora and I'm happy to answer any questions or even post a pic or three if I can work out how to do it!
Lastly, does anyone know what the differences are between the Mk I, Mk II and Mk III scopes? Which one was the best in service?
Regards
Lloydo
9 Attachment(s)
Repro No4 (T) and Repro No 32 Scope pics
Thanks to Flying10UK for help in posting these pics
