Converting a 1943 R.E.L Canadian № 42 into a № 32 Mk1

I have created a new thread for this conversion so it will be easy to find if anybody wants the inspiration to do a similar project. I hope that's ok...

So I have decided to convert my 1943 R.E.L Canada No42 Mk1 into a No32 Mk1. R.E.L No32s are super rare and to find a year to match my rifle impossible.

Just want to point out I have a 1943 Long Branch I have done a conversion on, it is deactivated. I collect so would like this to display, another reason I'm not trying to get a real R.E.L No32 is they belong on the real rifles and not just on display. It's a waste.

So I have my previousy unloved No42 that I re-blued. I have fitted a post and rail as discussed in my other thread.

I was extremely lucky to have got my hands on a really nice reproduction sunshade and a complete Mk1 style turret assembly.

The turret casting needs a little work like drilling and tapping the 8 x 8BA holes for the index plates. Drilling and tapping the 4BA location pin hole aswell as turning down a 4BA cheesehead to make the pin.

The turret casting also needs skimming internally to slide over the 42s larger tube. I have already machined the mount to take the scope as I want to keep the all important markings. As you can see this really will look the business! Other than the No42 engraving which will let anybody know it's not a genuine piece.

I have blackened the sunshade to match the front shade and just gave the turret wheels the same treatment. I have also done white infils which I will darken off and weather.

I realise this project won't be everybody's cup of tea and I understand that but this is a cheap and easy way I get what I want. I'm having fun with it and I share the same passion and interest in these old rifles as all of you. I'm just approaching it from a different angle.

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Where did you source the turret casting and associated parts? Great project. Ron

Thanks...

The place I sourced the parts has asked me not to disclose sadly. The parts I have are from the scrap bin and will take a fair amount of work to make fit and work smooth.

I wouldn't press you to break a confidence, but that doesn't look like a turret assembly from one of the readily available Far Eastern offerings, & neither is it genuine WW2 product, so somebody is tooling up....or at least looking at the feasibility of doing a run.

Many years ago there was a London based dealer (I think he is now based in Oxfordshire) who acquired a large quantity of No42 scopes with the intention of converting them all to No32's in the way that scout sniper is doing as a one-off. I spoke with him about it on several occasions, but could never really see the point, because by the time all of the work was done, & brackets, cheekpieces, & body pads provided, the cost of the 'kits' would have been not a great deal less than originals. And no matter whatever you do, a made up kit will never be an original. I don't say this in criticism of scout sniper, as he is doing this as a one-off for the hell of it, but if someone is anticipating converting No42's or 53's No32's on a commercial scale I hope they've done their homework on the market.

Its definitely decent quality stuff, the casting is flawless and the wheels are nicely done.

Everything is raw so I have my work cut out to make it blend in with the scope in its current form. Luckily the scope is in great condition so making it all match will be fairly easy.

There are a number of different companies reproducing these scopes. Spinning off a few extra parts is most likely what is happening. The parts look like recent production to me.

Worked on the main casting today to allow fitment over the scope tube. Took a lot longer than I was expecting but it had to be perfect.

I tried to clamp it up in 4 jaw chuck but couldn't hold it good enough and no way was I risking it slipping and making a mess of it. I did it by hand with a Dremel, I had a lot more control and removed material very slowly. The fit is tight but enough it can slide it on without scratching the tube.

The brass plate in front of the scope was a test piece I did to try the enamel finish. 2 coats painted by hand then rub back with wire wool. Just the look im after, so ive painted the first coat on the index plates and turret casting.

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Given that the No42/53 scope tube is a larger diameter than the No32, have you machined the No42 tube down to 1" dia to accept the new turret? What about the gun turret mount locator that is part of the No42 tube? Did you ever consider casting the new turret directly onto the tube? It's certainly a better method because then, you're working from a KNOWN datum, that is the mechanical and optical centre line of the tube.

It looks like a good start but the real trial comes with the azimuth cursor and the inner tube. The inner tube can be converted from certain types of No42/53 inner tubes. I note that we can't see the clicker spring housings. Are they standard?

Hello Peter,

I opted to keep the original tube diameter and open up the casting. My rifle is deactivated so I'm going to make it a dummy turret. Too much work for a scope that won't be tracking lead down the range.

Having said that, yes it has clicker plates and plungers and the turrets will click when turned as they should. On the surface the only obvious give away I hope is the No42 engraving. I did have the opportunity to buy all the parts for a full conversion but thought it too much work for essential no real reason.

This is getting interesting.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../zqt2HaM-1.jpg

2 coats of enamel done and rubbed back with wire wool. I have then forced patina on all the exposed brass to subdue it down so it blends seamlessly.

I would like it to be a little better but seeking perfection in this part is not essential and the finish I have seen on most reference pictures isn't great.

Pretty pleased up till now, the mock up looks decent. Hope to make the 4BA locating pin tomorrow and then I need to speak to my friend about getting back on his mill to finish off by drilling and tapping the 8 x 8BA holes.

Getting close.

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Just got on the lathe at work and turned down the 4BA locating pin...

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What sort of lubricant is best for the plunger's and index wheels?

A grease of sum kind I'm guessing?

Unless Peter says differently I'd use graphite grease.

The backdrop in the photo's is purely coincidental, you understand.......;) (I like to have a pleasant working environment).

Graphite grease, the horrible silver coloured stuff? :ugh:

If it rotates it's grease. If it slides, it's graphite. Graphite should be a deep grey. There is a difference between graphite grease and graphited grease. Graphiteg grease is GP grease with a graphite content and slightly runny while the thicker XG340 or graphite powder that is greased

Got on the mill today and drilled and tapped the 8 x 8BA holes. Very time consuming, mainly as they are blind holes and keep withdrawing the tap and clearing the hole.
Think I had to do 4 runs with the tap, clearing the hole each time before hitting the bottom. Being so small I started the thread with a taper tap and got at least half way before switching to a plug tap.

The 4BA location pin hole was also done, no issues and pretty straightforward.

Here are pictures of it up on the machine, packed out with leather to protect the casting although getting the whole thing square and level was a challenge to say the least as the casting was a bit wonky.

I haven't bonded the turret to the tube yet but have fitted it up to get a good idea of how it's looking. Also need to grease and fit the springs and plunger's.

Really close now, very happy with the results so far.

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Here's how were looking...

Was actually a blessing the 8 index plate holes were not drilled as the screws I was provided for those positions were not 8BA but metric.
Was nice to be able to fit the correct size screw.

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Your results look very well. I am amazed by the outcome. Please make sure to add markings somewhere on the inside that any future owner will be able to tell this is a replica and noone can finally turn it into a non-distinguishable REL made No. 32 scope.

As a final notice, I would suggest you also to remove that "step" in the bracket (from the rear foot upwards). These have always bothered me when comparing them to originals. It simply looks ugly.

It has the original No42 markings on the top so I hope that would ring alarm bells for anybody looking at this scope. But I will put a small mark inside.

I am very happy with the result, its come out better than i expected.

I know what your saying about the mount, it's now the thing that stands out the most as not being correct. May have to get the grinder out.

And it's now complete! A sheep in wolf's clothing. :D

I have added an inscription along with the date inside the turret. Don't expect to see this up for sale tho, this will remain with me until I'm gone. Being I'm only 35 its gonna be a long time away!

Finished off today by painting the index plate arrows, fitting click wheels and greasing everything.

Words can't even Express how happy and pleased I am with the end result. Also proud all the work was done by me. Just to make it even better the whole scope project has cost me £230 all in. Thats No.42 scope, sun shade, turret casting and all parts. (Not including mount)

I will get a picture of it sitting on my 1943 Long Branch tomorrow when the light is better.

Thanks to all who gave me info and answered questions.

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Hi Scout sniper,
Interesting project, I enjoy messing about with scopes mainly on the optical side, as I have a lens grinder. I think painting brass is horrible always scratches off, so if you need a simple formulae for blacking it I would be happy to send you one.

John.

Hello John,

The originals were painted so that's the route I decided to take. I know what you mean about chips and scratches, although I purposely painted it before I did the machine work in the hope it would pick up a few injuries along the way... Which it did.

I also rubbed all the edges back with wire wool to expose the brass. I then added it to a patina solution I have which makes it blend in. The front sunshade is original finish, all the other brass including the middle band I forced patina to match.

Pretty amazing that all the brass was super bright and shiney only last week.

Many thanks for the offer.

Got this grease XG340 from 1958. Is this the right stuff for the scope?

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Yes, that is exactly the stuff. It is medium thickness as opposed to GRAPHITED grease which is runny.

Lovely, it certainly feels weird. Can also be used on the No.4 bolt and striker right?

Yes although I've only used oil on and inside the bolt

Out of curiosity what oil do you use?

If you made those parts it's absolutely superb work, and the finishing too.
The reticule block could use a lapping if it is to actually slide(?)

Thanks! The main casting needed machine work and a few small parts, but the wheels and rough parts were pre machined.

Enjoyed this project.

Took a few nice glamour shots of it today, now the scope has had time for all the work to settle (The brass to patina off) The colour and age match to the front shade is pretty darn close.

Also finish the new graticule, getting this rail and post right was way more work than I was expecting! Extremely fine and any slight move and its game over. Got there in the end... :cool:

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by rgg_7

Where did you source the turret casting and associated parts? Great project. Ron

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I'd like to find some of these too, for a similar project. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scout Sniper

Took a few nice glamour shots of it today, now the scope has had time for all the work to settle (The brass to patina off) The colour and age match to the front shade is pretty darn close.

Also finish the new graticule, getting this rail and post right was way more work than I was expecting! Extremely fine and any slight move and its game over. Got there in the end... :cool:

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That is really impressive work!

Thank you!

Alot of time and energy has gone into this project...

It would of not been possible without the help of this forum and the members. Cheers guys!