Priscopic Prism Company Scope and Mounts.

[Sniper1944]

Hi all,

Have recently acquired this P.P.Co scope (it's my first of Great War vintage).





















As you can see, it's in excellent condition, still retains it's finish (apart from the polished brass components), is mechanically sound internally (with no fogging or delamination of the lenses) and still has its original P.P.Co SMLE mount.

First of all, I'm looking for a bit of history. I gather these were made between 1916 and 1918, also that its one of 4830 mounted to SMLE's. Is the 1837 number on the mount the scope serial number, with the numbers stamped onto the dovetail the original rifle serial number?

Secondly. One day (hopefully soon) I'd like to have this re-mounted onto an SMLE. Does anyone know where any engineering drawings of the mount base may exist so I could have one manufactured (or better yet does anyone do reproductions?)






Thanks

Paul.

Information

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[Roger Payne]

I do reproductions & I'm currently waiting for the next batch to come in. I am also located in Sutton Coldfield just a stone's throw from you. Suggest you pm me if interested to take it further.
The serial engraved on the top of the mount is the rifle serial. The two large holes at each end of the flat are I am afraid post-War additions, but not a major pronblem. You are lacking the spacer & tensioning spring that fits along the one edge of the dovetail (where the two small screw holes are), but again, these can easily be made from a piece of spring steel.

You have a nice find Paul.

ATB.

[Surpmil]

Nice find, but a horrible scope. One memoir I read opined that they should never have been accepted for service. I think that might have been Hesketh Prichard too.

No matter, they're part of the history and a great place to start. When you get an Aldis No2 or No3 you will be amazed by the difference. Aldis produced some really superb glass. Years ago I traded for one with a German collector who has hundreds of scopes, and even he was impressed!

[Sniper1944]

Thanks for the replies so far

I take it the scopes were not individually serial numbered since I can't find another number on the tube? What would the numbers on each end of the dovetail denote?

Yes, the holes on the flat are a post war addition. When it came it had another mount with dovetail fitting slid on and screwed in place, I just removed it but the holes are rough so will need some work to flat the rough spots.

Roger, thanks for the offer, when do you plan on having the mounts finished? What does the tensioning spring look like (I did wonder what those small screw holes were for)? As none of the pictures or diagrams I have seem to show it.

I must admit I was chuffed to bits when I bought it, as I never really thought I'd own one due to the rarity of them.






Paul.

[Roger Payne]

Hi Sniper 1944. Drop me a PM & we can 'talk' by email. The specimen mounts are with the machinist now, but they are notoriously slow. However, they get done eventually & are worth waiting for.
ATB.

[lugerfan]

Hi Paul,

I’ve got the same model of scope, serial number B4486. It’s interesting that the serial number on mine is also stamped on the dovetail part of the mount (where your one seems to be a different number to that stamped on the top -C1772)

The 2 digit number on the mount on mine is 14, so I guess maybe an inspectors mark?

I have some good pictures of it, so if you interested drop me a PM with your email address….

[lugerfan]

Email sent, but heres a quick picture

[Sniper1944]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm now knee deep in research while trying to track down a suitable SMLE

I've just purchased "Sniping in France" as well, are there any other definitive works on WWI sniping that I should be on the lookout for?






Paul.

[Paul S.]

Sniping In The Great War by Martin Pegler is a good book.

[rwdavidson]

I am currently looking for a complete mount set for my scope. I have the complete scope with it's carrying case but no parts for the mount. I am also looking for someone who can tell me how to remove the rear ocular lens from it's mount. I need to remove the lens assembly so I can split the lens and re-balsam them. Any help would be appreciated.