Broadhurst Clarkson Scout Regiment Spotting Telescope

[Badger]

Here's a question that was posed to Peter Laidler in the VIP Interviews (click here) section of our site. Peter thought that it was such a good question, that it merited being re-posted here in the main forums so that everyone could benefit from groups answers.

from Marksman52 - September 2, 2012

Hello Peter

I have a Broadhurst Clarkson Scout Regiment Spotting Telescope. However the glands require repacking. (presently packed with 4by2)

In your article you quote Felt Hatters Green as the material used by the MOD. I can get felt by the yard-some thick-some thin-some dense and some open textured.

Would you have a description/approximate thickness or be able to specify a weight for the felt. Or would an old felt trilby be the answer?

The manual says the felt is impregnated-If so with what is it impregnated.
Any help would be much appreciated.

Kind Regards and thanks for the many informative articles you have on the site.

Les

Regards,
Doug

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Good question.

I hope a few other forumers who've done gland packing come in here too! The felt we used was green baize felt similar to that used on billiard tables. We knew the width of course and used to cut a length off for each draw. But be advised, the first few times you packed the draw, it would always end in failure. We used to hold the new felt in with grease or silicon but others used to use a .001 or .002" shim to retain it then slide the next draw in then pull out the shim. But whatever floats your boat as they say. But I've got a confession to make........... Now, whenever I need to pack the draws, I clean it perfectly, making sure that all the old stuffing is out, wire brush it with a Bren gas cylinder 'christmas tree' and put a strip of double back sellotape on the back of the new felt to hold it THEN slide in the draw. We used to graphite paste on ours as the grease

I'm sure that S/Sgt Dennis Aslett or Tony Bowman wouldn't approve but.........

You commented on the thickness of the felt. To be honest I don't know but according to the small piece I still have, stolen off the zillion yard long roll we used to use is .036" thick.

[Marksman52]

Hello Peter
Thanks for the prompt reply. I will try and get some green baize and give it a try. From your description I can see it should just about be the correct thickness when compressed.
I have some powdered graphite (Saved from when I used to shoot a Longbranch number 4 at Bisley competitively-I was told to apply it sparingly to the wood bedding points, draws etc as it helped them snug up.) I will mix some up to make a paste.
The shim idea is excellent as I have tried to get the tubes into the gland without the packing galling-I found it to be very galling as it is not easy to achieve a satisfactory outcome. I will also give the double sided tape a go-Maybe then using the shim will make the job considerably easier.
I have a 1917 R & J Beck signal telescope and the optics are brilliant. I sent it up to Moore Leatherwork and he did an excellent job of renovating the leather. He then took it to a company in Edinburgh for me and they refurbished the telescope and repacked it. They really knew how to build military equipment in those days.
I still think as a good round with excellent stopping power the good old 303 takes some beating! (Used a sporterised P14 for many years on the hill for red deer)
Thank you for passing on your knowledge and it is very much appreciated.
Kind Regards
Les