Is mine authentic?

[RobD]

I bought a No 4(T) in its transit chest about a year ago. I didn't pay too much, it looked pukka to me, and the rifle (though FTRd) had all the Peter Laidler - approved markings, with two exceptions: the butt is marked S (short) which is not usual; and the sling swivel is a Parker Hale one, not a military one. Since I saw those two anomalies I have been getting cold feet about it. I will post photos of my rifles' markings if anyone can help - but for a start here is my Scope in its bracket. I should add that there is a faint number stamp N92 just above the front tightening knob, not shown in these pictures. Is the bracket genuine, or is it just a good repro?

Information

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[Badger]

Looks pretty good to me, but I'm a K98k collector who knows enough to be dangerous about Enfields ...

Regards,
Badger

[jmoore]

Now that I'm at a good monitor it looks "realish", but a bit odd, somehow. During the week its hard to see anything on our "anti-q" equipment, sorry!

[madcratebuilder]

Looks correct to me. I only have one T but have collected dozens of photos of different rifles.

[Surpmil]

The scope looks entirely original to me.

The bracket is rather odd.

1. The overall shape and appearance is sort of halfway between a "JG" and a "N92' bracket: somewhat more square than the "N92" and somewhat less rounded than the "JG" (Rose Bros. and Dalgliesh respectively - sp?)

2. The 'missing' edge which looks like someone slipped on the grinder or the cast didn't quite fill the mold, just in front of the base of the rear ring. Never seen something like that before. Notice how the horizontal part of the casting 'steps in' right below that area. Another odd feature.

3. The "F46" stamped in the back of the bracket and the Broad Arrow above the rear 'leg'. Again, never seen or heard of those before. "F46" sounds like a factory code of course.

4. The grinding on the ends of the rings where the "56" and "57" are stamped are rougher than any others I have seen, the rounded off corner is not the sort of thing we see on other brackets. Likewise, the great difference in the thickness of the ring caps on the 'thumbscrew' side is not something I've seen before.

5. Most brackets seem to have three digit numbers on the ends of the rings, sometimes three numbers or a combination of letters and numbers. Two digit numbers like yours are associated - in my mind at least - with very early production brackets.

6. The countersinking around the ring cap screws doesn't look familiar either: that square lip you see there.

I wonder if we've come across another maker of No32 scope brackets here? Who is "F46", if anyone!?

[jmoore]

Sorry I did not inspect the bracket closer over the weekend. I can't see the "F46" at all on this monitor!

Dang, the more I think about it, the more I seem to remember having seen that odd "swamped out" style bracket before... The "F46" seems also to ring a bell. May have been 10-25 years ago! Phooey!
Its not like any of the newer production, reproduction, or "fake" ones I've seen.

Why do I get the feeling I'm missing something obvious?

Could it be Israeli?. How about India? From reading Captain Laidler's posts, it seems they went to great lengths to keep their equipment running, no matter how much "bailing wire" was required!



BTW the scope covers aren't for a No32, the extra loop means its for the non-turreted No42 or 52 scopes (which don't go on small arms).

[RobD]

I should mention that N92 is faintly stamped just above the front tightening knob, not visible in these pics, but it's there... I suppose that means Dalgleish or a fake Dalgleish. The broad arrow would rule out India after independence. The rifle which the scope (but not the bracket) is numbered to is posted elsewhere on the forum, note it was FTR'd in 1948.

[jmoore]

There's a sure sign of shenanigans! The bracket should have the rifle's number (or no S/N) stamped on it. The stock has surely been fooled with, then.

(I knew I was missing the obvious!)

Again, at least the scope and bracket are OK. That's the tough part.

[Surpmil]

I should mention that N92 is faintly stamped just above the front tightening knob, not visible in these pics, but it's there... I suppose that means Dalgleish or a fake Dalgleish. The broad arrow would rule out India after independence. The rifle which the scope (but not the bracket) is numbered to is posted elsewhere on the forum, note it was FTR'd in 1948.

That changes things then, if a genuine marking. Photo?

The lens caps are correct. The No42 type had the retaining loop fitted so that it sits where the front ring of a No32 bracket would be.

[Simon P]

RobD

If your any where near London UK I have an original N92 marked scope mount on my L42A1 you can compare it to.