Looking For Information On Lattey/Galilean, Night Sights And Purdy Mount For The SMLE

Hi All,
So I bought a 3D printer and am looking to draw up the Lattey, Galilean, Night Sights and Purdey Mounts for the SMLE in 3dcad then print them.
After this I'm looking to machine them out of steel and or brass to make some replicas!
My only problem is that I don't have any dimensions or references for any of them so if anyone out there has drawings, photos measurements or any other form of reference it would be greatly appreciated.
Regarding the Lattey/Galilean sights, any information on the lenses and how they are suppose to be used would also be greatly appreciated.
Thanks For Reading My Post!
Best Regards,
Sam.

If you get really stuck Sam I can get some measurements off my original Purdey bases & rings. A dismounted set would be easier though - mine are on a rifle which makes some of the measuring harder.

Type the word "Galilean" in the Milsurps Search Box and check the results. :thup:

There are pages of threads as well as pics.

Regards.
Doug

I will see about sketching up some drawings for the night sights. Keep in mind you will need some sort of glowing insert - maybe tritium? - as well as a stamped spring steel clip for the front sight.

Lithgow sniper mounts would be another good one to copy

Hi Roger,
Some measurements would be great! As far as I know the rings have a 1 inch inner diameter and that's about it!
Also some information on how that front base adjusts for windage would be great!
Thanks for your help,
Regards,
Sam.

---------- Post added at 12:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:56 PM ----------

Hi Doug,
Thanks for the reply!
I will check it out and see what I can drum up, I'm planning on taking a Gap Year next year in which I will hopefully keep this thread alive and post updates!
Regards,
Sam.

---------- Post added at 01:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 PM ----------

Hi Will,
That would be great! Im thinking of either using some tritium inserts or maybe just some fibre optic to make it cheaper (although it won't glow at night! kinda defeats the purpose but will make a good replica!)
Again, any drawings and dimensions would be greatly apreciated
Regards,
Sam.

---------- Post added at 01:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:00 PM ----------

Hi smerdon42,
I might look into it after I get these few items underway as im looking to recreate them to go on a few of my rifles including creating a reproduction 1917 Aldis sniper!
Best Regards,
Sam.

Someone was looking into this a few years ago I would be interested if it all happens

Hi Pisco,
If I can get the references and information I can 100% get 3D prints made and im about 70% confident that I could get an end product as close as possible to the originals fitted to my rifles!
Heck, if I get enough interest and the go ahead from the community I might start producing them for people to purchase (If anyone is interested)
My only concern is that I don't want to make replicas that hurt the legitimacy/price of the originals as people might try and flog mine off as originals (I can only hope mine even turn out at the quality of the originals)
Best Regards,
Sam.

Sounds like an interesting project. I would like to see photos of the progress, 3D printed parts etc, when you get them done.
May I suggest that when you get the job done; that you mark your own stamp somewhere discreetly on the mounts. So they are identified as replica parts.

Hi 30Three,
Now thats an idea!
Ill get them engraved with something simple and discrete in a non-visible place that doesn't effect the look when they are mounted to the rifle.
Regards,
Sam.

I want to buy a set if you succeed making them😀

Jsne

Sam thanks mate I have a 1918 arc scope rebuilt with rings no base but would so be worth doing a tribute rifle QUOTE=TheAlpineWolf;484730]Hi Roger,
Some measurements would be great! As far as I know the rings have a 1 inch inner diameter and that's about it!
Also some information on how that front base adjusts for windage would be great!
Thanks for your help,
Regards,
Sam.

---------- Post added at 12:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:56 PM ----------

Hi Doug,
Thanks for the reply!
I will check it out and see what I can drum up, I'm planning on taking a Gap Year next year in which I will hopefully keep this thread alive and post updates!
Regards,
Sam.

---------- Post added at 01:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 PM ----------

Hi Will,
That would be great! Im thinking of either using some tritium inserts or maybe just some fibre optic to make it cheaper (although it won't glow at night! kinda defeats the purpose but will make a good replica!)
Again, any drawings and dimensions would be greatly apreciated
Regards,
Sam.

---------- Post added at 01:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:00 PM ----------

Hi smerdon42,
I might look into it after I get these few items underway as im looking to recreate them to go on a few of my rifles including creating a reproduction 1917 Aldis sniper!
Best Regards,
Sam.[/QUOTE]

---------- Post added at 05:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:57 PM ----------

Sam I would be in on repro Galilean sights as well

Here are sketches for the rear sight and clamps. I did not measure the screws as I expect you'll want to use whatever is easiest to obtain, but they appear to be roughly 4-48 or so. Apologies for the cramped sketches, I should definitely have made them larger. The front sight is mild steel, I will sketch that up and the spring tomorrow.

Hi Jsne,
Ill keep this thread up to date with the progress!
Regards,
Sam.

---------- Post added at 11:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 PM ----------

Hi Smerdon42,
Sounds like a plan! And if I end up producing these Galilean sights for sale your on the list!
Regards,
Sam.

---------- Post added at 11:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:04 PM ----------

Hi WillSarchet,
Thank you for the references and detailed drawings!
I will get to drawing these up on CAD and hopefully get some trial 3D prints going!
Note: Might be around a month as I'm currently flat out with exams and won't get around to it until my break!
Regards,
Sam.

Here is the front sight drawing and photos. Not sure how I'm going to draw up the spring as ideally you'd need a drawing of the flat stamping before folding, but I'd rather not flatten this one out. Maybe someone will have a broken one they can flatten and measure?

Hi WillSarchet,
If no one can provide the exact measurements from a broken one, some basic measurements from yours will do and I will just wing it from the picture until it looks and functions correctly.
Regards,
Sam.

Hi All,

Finally got some time between getting my mechanical engineering degree and work to build those night sights! They were a bear to complete and had around 5 iterations however happy with the final product. All done by hand with files.

See attached some pictures from along the way and the final product attached to my 1915 Lithgow.

Thank you to all who contributed, I am also close to completing my Purdy look-alike mounts for my original Aldis scope and will be sure to update!

Cheers,
Sam.Attachment 134656Attachment 134657Attachment 134658

Blimey! Well done Sam. The final result looks great, even down to the aged surface finish! I presume you will keep that for yourself?

Well done Sam!! They look wonderful. We often forget what can be accomplished with had tools and patience!!

Thank you Roger and Brian! (And everyone keeping up with the thread)

Definitely keeping this set for myself, I have way too much time invested to be worth selling :lol:

My custom Purdy mounts are about a week from complete, they are not 100% accurate as I took some liberties due to my rifle already being drilled and tapped for a field Australia mount (also wanted the scope to be removable from the mounts) but I still think they turned out really nice! Again, a bit of mill work, a lot of file work!

Next on the chopping block is a rear ocular cone for a Glasvisier 16 fitted to my Gew98 and most pressing a set of Lattey sights!

If anyone has a set of similar to that in the Australian War Memorial (Lattey Rifle Sights : Trooper C H Livingstone, 6 Light Horse Regiment | Australian War Memorial), I would greatly appreciate some measurements and even tracings of the sights so I can begin some file work! Will need to get a set of lenses ground for them as well at some point.

Best Regards,
Sam.