Mystery of the Missing Wartime Long Branch Snipers

[Seaspriter]

Thanks for the insights LE.

OK based on believed high scope serial numbers:
376 - Mk3
100 - C.No67
350 - TP
762 - would have to be the production figure of MkI, MkIA, MkII scopes
= 1588

based on currently highest observed (scope) serial numbers:
352c - Mk3
98c - C.No67
341 - TP (rifle serial numbers 0-340 in this case)
706c - MkI, MkIA, MkII highest serial number (currently observed)
= 1497 (a shortfall of 91 numbers from 1588)

I have a hunch solving the enigma must first start with Production numbers (to get an accurate number of Snipers produced), then back the scope numbers into Production.

Here's what's known: 1944-46: 1517 Snipers Produced
Here's what's "guestimated" 1941-1943: ~ 100 Snipers Produced (this is based on the figures you provided me, plus a few new # that came in from this thread)
Date---#Est. Prod.--Serial # (small lots)
1941/2----3-------0L9
1942-------3------ 8L7
1942-------3------ 12L4
1943-------3------ 32L
1943-------6------ 36L502x-36L5034
1943-------3------ 38L9908
1943-------3------ 39L
1943-------3------ 42L750X
1943-------3------ 43L9
1943------20-----45L1
1943-------3----- 45L5
1943 ----50------50L0
Total = ~100 (Guesstimate)

Add the known 1944-46 production (1517) to the guesstimate 1941-43 production (~100) and we end up with 1617 Total Sniper Production.
[Procedural note: all the serial block estimates for 1941-46 are in a spreadsheet. For the known years of 1944-46, if we reduce the serial block for one range, we have to add some numbers from another range so the final production still equals the known 1517 produced in those years.]

Believe me LE, I'm not trying to confound you! I'm just trying to put the hard evidence to the test and see what shakes out.

I'll be in Edmonton in mid-April and maybe we should plan on a couple of hours putting two brains together on this (hopefully my brain will still be intact) and I won't drive you crazy!