No 32 Scope and MkI* LE

G'day there, I bought this rifle a while ago and a family friend of mine id'd the scope as a No. 32 scope originally meant for the No4 Mk2's (I think). The exterior of the tube looks like it has been hacked at a few times, and there is plenty of silver solder in places where it shouldn't be, the rear scope ring was also soldered to the scope for some reason -_-. The scope itself you can actually see through and the old Picket crosshairs look great, there is however plenty of dirt and grimy inside and on the lenses that make it less than crystal clear. The funny thing is that this scope came on a sportered 1901 MkI* that had a broken firing pin, but apart from that looks alright. What is interesting is that the scope mounts I can only assume are custom, and are quite good, and the trigger guard, trigger (which has been ground down, soldered, and built back up), and sear all look MkIII. There's also a shim in the right hand side draw that looks very old. The barrel is normal weight and has Lithgow markings, as well as some vise marks -_-.

Someone obviously spent some time to make this gun shoot alright, but what I am wondering is: Is there anything I can do to tidy this scope up a bit more? It was painted black and I am trying to rub that all off without hurting the brass.

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Those that know the form will be along shortly to assist you, but that would have to be one of the gnarliest No 32's that I have seen on this site so far and it is going to take allot to get it back it amazed me that the heat with putting the silver solder onto the turret did not distort the internal wire's as they are exceedingly thin.

I know a certain Peter Laidler knows his stuff about these things. It really is a work of art to make it so rough, yet without really hurting anything. My belief in people and their work with guns declines every day because of things like this.

I think there is a chap in the Eastern States that fixes these things, Peter L has done enough of these things to last 4 lifetimes so I would not go down that path, he may offer advice but stay away from asking if he could repair it............I found out via a P.M that set fire to my Inbox, thank goodness I am trained to fight structural fires!!!!!

I'll remember that one thanks. Guess we'll see what people come up with for me here :).

I think the scope has gone past that point where it is worth worrying about spoiling original finish. It gets to a stage where there is nothing to be lost by refinishing, especially if done to or in the spirit of the military spec. The scope is quite capable of being refurbished, but it's going to be a labour of love....

Before you apply any heat to the range drum area to melt & clean off the soft solder, I would make sure I removed the graticule block & the lenses (in fact I'd completely strip the scope so that you can work on each part without endangering something else).

I was thinking something along those lines, but I've never stripped any kind of scope let alone one as old as this. Has anyone here done a write up of how it is done? That would be handy. At present I don't think I will pull it down, as I have plenty of other gun stuff to do, but I'd love to do something with it in the future, it probably deserves some love.

Warren wheatfield is known for his work on these scopes in Sudbury Ontario, Canada.

He indicated to me he is slowing down his services but worth a shot!

As Roger says,it's going to be a labour of love getting that scope back in shape (i'm thinking Herculean though).
The good news is it can be done.
Though it won't be cheap,it is worthwhile doing as Peter says "they ain't making them no more".
Malcolm Eames in Brisbane should be your go to man for this one.

Jonh172, thanks a bunch, if I have no luck in Australia I might have a look across the pond for this Warren fellow.

Macca, Brisbane sounds really convenient for me. Would you happen to know exactly how I could contact this Malcolm? Thanks.

Malcolm Eames
(07) 3715 5603
0407 007 116
opticalrepairs.com.au

Thank you very much.