No 8 Mk1 Carry Tin

[OxfordAndy]

I've just acquired a carry tin for my No32 MkIII (which is great news as I'd pretty much given up hope....).

However it is in average to poor, although seemingly original, condition with a fair amount of surface rust. Thankfully no major dents or dings

Trying to make up my mind whether to leave it "as is" or renovate it.

What do you think?

If I go the renovation route, can anybody help with the details of the original paint colour / code and whether the tin was primed/undercoated? And recommended sources.....??

Pics:











Thanks in advance.

Information

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[jmoore]

It's not that bad! I'd leave it be, except for a light oiling on the rusty areas.

A rifle S/N w/ an "A" prefix and four digits! -----Trials rifle!---- What else could it be? Kinda very interesting.

Definitely no restoration if it's an early box, it deserves preservation.

Don't get in a hurry, now that you aren't looking for one, perfect examples will start showing up at less than you paid the first time . Then you can contemplate finding this one a new happy home...

[OxfordAndy]

Don't get in a hurry, now that you aren't looking for one, perfect examples will start showing up at less than you paid the first time . Then you can contemplate finding this one a new happy home...

Isn't that always the way? Why is that???

Thanks for the good advice - I think preservation is probably a better idea too.

[bearhunter]

Seeing as we're on the subject of tins and serial numbers, I hope this isn't construed as a hijack. My No4 MkI T was built in 1945, marked M47C and the serial #X316--. The REL scope is a MkIII, dated 1946. No FTR marks. It's in 90+% condition and obviously, didn't see any action.
It comes with everything, other than the spotting scope. LOL. Now, there was a minty snipers veil, a couple of minty pattern 37 ammunition pouches and a small, prewar, tin,, 2 3/4x3 1/4x1 1/8, containing some cleaning patches, a couple of 2in x 2in pieces of thin brass screen and what looks to be a grenade pin with its ring. The tin, certainly isn't a Bren parts tin. It's actually a very nice little "Sentinel, Junior Ace, First Aid Kit" enamel finished in red and white with pics of airplanes etc. I know this isn't an issue tin. I also know it's highly unlikely to find sniper veils and ammo pouches in theses boxes. My question is were the "Bren" parts tin standard issue, or just handy and is there any significance to the "X" prefix in the serial number, other than its regular sequence. How long did they continue to put together No4 T rifles and produce Rel MkIII scopes, after WWII?

[Peter Laidler]

Bren spare parts tins. They were really just a readily available small tin that could be used to carry all your odds and sods in a compact way. Likewise, a similar tin that was used to carry three 1" signal cartridges. Just readily available means of carrying your escape kit.

Don't forget that the other bits of sniper kit, but not included in the rifle CES, were the BINOCULARS, prismatkc, No2 Mk2 or 3 and the COMPASS, prismatic, Mk3. No4T production carried on until early in 1946. The X in the serrial number is the normal number prefix

[bearhunter]

There was also a compass in the mix of stuff, that was included in the bottom of the box.

It is brass, with a glass lens on the hinged cover and many other little engravings, locks etc. It is worn but still usable and accurate. There is also a "broad arrow" stamped into the back, as well as "1918 E. KOEHN over GENEVE SUISSE No. 154329".
The cover has "VERNER'S PATTERN VIII" stamped on the top, by the cover latch. Is it anything that any of you recognise as military issue? The broad arrow has me hoping this may be a genuine compass for sniper use. It's the only one I've seen like it though. Any information would be appreciated. Again, if you would like pics, send a pm with your email and I will gladly send some.

[Lance]

The only thing special about the BSA 1945 "X" serial numbers are that they were the last No.4's made during BSA's WWII contract. Mine is fitted with a '46 dated AKS Mk III which seemed fitting.

[jmoore]

Question on OxfordAndy's scope tin. I looked at what few "square cornered" boxes I have and none are quite like his. Specifically, the riveted scope support assembly and its externally protuding rivet heads are what struck me strange. Is this just a manufacturer's quirk, or is it time specific?

[bearhunter]

You're right. There are a lot of other differences as well. My case is marked OS . 906A over, CASE STG. TEL. No8 over B&Co. I notice his is stamped No8 MARK I.
As I haven't seen enough different cans to know the difference, could this also be an indicator of how early the scope can really is?

Mine, certaily has less pieces in the construction around the side walls of the top and bottom and everything, other than the adjusting tool holder and the latch assemblies, are spot welded in place.
There is a lable inside mine Lablest 51-6071 with the remnants of a rifle number, and inspectors signature. Looks like Teafe 17220.

His can is very interesting. The different manufacturers making these cans, must have had a lot of leeway. Or were the specs changed fairly often?

[Surpmil]

Oxford Andy, what is the rifle SN in whilte paint? A169-? As mentioned, from a Trials No4 converted to No4(T) specs in the first batch, presumably.

There are some numbers stamped under the "MARK I", just can't make them out positively.

Based on the few boxes I've had or seen, the BECo. rounded 1941 marked tins seem to have had cadmium(?) plated latches that were put on after the box was painted. I see a similar finish under the paint on the latches on this box I believe.

The cast brass/bronze rest for the scope & bracket looks very similar to that 1941 box I mentioned. Had the front spigot been repaired/soldered at its base? Presumably it cracked or broke at some point. Pity someone scratched the label out as that deprives you of the original scope number.