Unusual No32 Scope Bracket - possibly Dutch.

[Roger Payne]

A few years ago I turned up an unusual No32 bracket which came from a Dutch collector/dealer, who gave it a definite provenance to the Dutch armed forces, it being manufactured for them probably in the 1950's. It was of general interest but not something that I wanted to keep as it was a non-Commonwealth item of post WW2 manufacture, so I sold it via a dealer pal in the South West of England. Two weeks ago I was over on the Somme at a French arms fair when I noticed a No32 bracket in a dealer's cabinet. Lo & behold it only turned out to be another exactly the same as the previous one. It wasn't outrageously dear so I bought it. They are very similar to UK Dalgleish brackets, apart from the castings being a little neater. Both examples that I have owned bear a logo set in the casting around half way along the main 'strut' of the bracket. It looks like M&S or something similar. (In fact IMHO it bears a superficial similarity to the Smith & Wesson logo).

I can't be sure that these brackets are Dutch, although the first came from a source that maintained this to be the case, & the Dutch certainly made No32 Mk3 scopes & scope tins too, to keep serviceable their rifles supplied by the UK/Canada. Both of the ones I have seen are most definitely not modern reproductions, but if anyone knows for sure their provenance I'd love to know.

I shan't hold on to this one either, but at least I remembered to take some photo's of it while I've got it!Attachment 105351Attachment 105350Attachment 105349Attachment 105348

Information

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[Gil Boyd]

Roger,
Difficult to make out that stamp shown, but on that basis if it was a John Dalglish & Sons of Glasgow, it would have an N92 stamp somewhere wouldn't it. or have I missed the plot?
Is it possible it could read RSM - RED STAR MOUNTAIN REPRODUCTION from Beijing. As we both know he made quite a credible scope many years ago including the brackets. Not sure whether they were stamped!!

[Roger Payne]

I don't think it's a modern repro Gil. Look at the surface of the casting carefully - that's patination. I would not expect to see a N92 on it as it is not a Dalgleish bracket - just more like one than it is like a Rose Brothers variant.

If anything it's closer to one of mine or an Accumounts product, but it isn't exactly the same as those either.....

I have no hard & fast opinion, but the only source of info I have to go on was adamant that these were Dutch. It may be that someone out there in forumland knows precisely their history, but until they pipe up we're left with what we're left with.

............unless of course that logo is M&S & Marks & Spencer's made it!

[Roy W]

Much clearer image of the mark in the thread about the previous one Roger https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=36561&page=1

---------- Post added at 01:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 PM ----------

This article says the Dutch made 600 of their no.32 mk3 scopes and shows some clear images of them. Makes sense they would have had brackets made too.

They look like very well made scopes. https://www.smallarmsreview.com/disp...darticles=3708

Anyone ever seen one?

[Roger Payne]

Hi Roy. I'd completely forgotten about that old thread, though my postings relate to the first bracket that I acquired. I saw a Delft made Mk3 scope a couple of years ago at the International Arms Fair. A Dutch dealer pal had it with him. Unfortunately it didn't have a bracket with it & I didn't think to take a photo of it.

I think Alzheimer's is setting in..............now, where's the 'send' key....?!?

[Roy W]

Now that would be an interesting conversation piece!