Reproduction Scope Tins?

[grant580]

It doesn't get any better than that! Don't they sell all that stuff (and the tools to make it?) at Tandy Leather in Calgary?

[Frank LE]

Thank´s Cold Zero. There is no better way to start my work on the projekt, it should work with your fine pics!!!

[Peter Laidler]

That's JUST as I remember them Cold Zero. Now you can see the problem they had in getting the sling leather material the complete length and allowed a stitched/sewn join.

[skiprat]

I have made a few of these straps in both one piece and joined .. there is a very good supplier of leather in Newcastle (England) that can supply straps to the overall length.
the biggest problem was getting the correct style buckle, the new ones supplied by most leather workers/suppliers are bright shiny brass with very rounded corners ( the original has sharp corners by the roller) and on the new ones there is a step that the roller runs in.
I have been looking on auction web sites for original WD leather straps of the right width and re-using these original buckles..

[Peter Laidler]

On the subject of the join Skippy, I came across a few rejected from new where the join was at the 'entry' end of the strap and not at the buckle end. It meant that the join part couldn't be pulled through the loops in the case. Of course, if the join is at the buckle end, it doesn't get pulled through the loops anyway and is therefore OK. I suppose that this was catered for in the relaxation spec but by the time they'd been wrapped up and put into the box anyway, who cared!

[skiprat]

looking at the photos of the original one posted by Cold zero, Its not really a "Quality" item... the stitched ends have not been feathered/tapered and the edges have not been finished. (a light line usually drawn on the edge of strap work)
it looks to be hand stitched with an over lapping stitch not the best looking..but perfectly usable

most WD small leather work were issued "in the pink",.... natural "veg" tanned. when it is cut from a fresh hide it is really very pink (flesh coloured) but turns (quite quickly) light brown with age and use.

Why do most modern re-enactors want a best quality product (edged, tapered, and dark "service" drown?) it was never issued like that !!!!

But...... I don't want a pink 07 sling on my No4 !!!!!!!

[ickmann]

Here are most of the measurements in mm. and are approx. Did not have the digital calipers on hand. The pic is from the Numrich website. I will post pics of my tins later this evening with more detail. If I missed any critical measurements ( missed the round mounting post dia.) please let me know so that I can provide. Also will provide weight when I find a scale. Hope this serves some purpose.

Ian
.

[Peter Laidler]

As I said, the L1A1 slings, boxes and a lot of intricate spare parts such as lens housings and slipping scale drums etc etc were contracted to Cooke and Perkins (who don't exist any more) and they sub contracted the leather work to a few old ladies who were out-workers to the leather work industry. Such as Pavlova, Barrows and a few others whom I can't remember until I get my old notes out again. All of their work so far as I know was done at home and by hand. You'll also remember the 81mm Mortar tube leather cups. They did them too.

I think I mentioned it elsewhere but C&P were also contracted to supply new replacement leather Scout Regiment telecope cases but they were too difficult so it was C&P who formulated the later plastic cases that were adopted. On the strength of that I suppose, they suggested a plastic case for the L1A1 and some were produced but were far too weak and the rounded corners would collapse at the first knock.

Their logo was a CP/l\70 or whatever year it was. That's meant to be a WD arrow in the middle!

I hope that some budding future author is writing this all down

[Simon P]

This is the strap on my 1955 dated tin. The strap can not be removed due to the spliced joint being to large, it has prbably swollen slightly with age.

It has 3 rivets at the buckle end, instead of the stitching, and the opposite end is marked
MC3650

[Cold_Zero]

As I said, the L1A1 slings, boxes and a lot of intricate spare parts such as lens housings and slipping scale drums etc etc were contracted to Cooke and Perkins (who don't exist any more) and they sub contracted the leather work to a few old ladies who were out-workers to the leather work industry. Such as Pavlova, Barrows and a few others whom I can't remember until I get my old notes out again. All of their work so far as I know was done at home and by hand. You'll also remember the 81mm Mortar tube leather cups. They did them too.

I think I mentioned it elsewhere but C&P were also contracted to supply new replacement leather Scout Regiment telecope cases but they were too difficult so it was C&P who formulated the later plastic cases that were adopted. On the strength of that I suppose, they suggested a plastic case for the L1A1 and some were produced but were far too weak and the rounded corners would collapse at the first knock.

Their logo was a CP/l\70 or whatever year it was. That's meant to be a WD arrow in the middle!

I hope that some budding future author is writing this all down

Roger that. Filed for a future project.