Warner Swasey mounting rail question

[Salt Flat]

I have a reproduction mounting rail for a 1913 Warner Swasey scope rail and would like to see how close the dovetail width is compared to an original. If someone (or several people) with a micrometer could post this dimension it would be greatly appreciated. The dimension would be edge to edge across the face o the dovetail. Thanks---Salt Flat

Information

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[jmoore]

I may get a chance to check mine in a few days.

[jmoore]

0.656" or thereabout. Most scopes will have some looseness. But it doesn't seem to hurt under normal conditions.

[Badger]

Here's a couple of pics I found on my computer a few days ago, which are somewhat related to this discussion. I thought they might be useful to store here for research posterity.

Drawing dated 7/2/40

Titled: Sketch to guide fitting of telescopic sight (Ross Rifle) to a Rifle No3 (Patt '14)

Also a wartime pic of a sniper with a Warner Swasey scope mounted on a P14 rifle.

Regards,
Doug

[Salt Flat]

Jmoore and Badger--Thanks for the replies. I don't know where else I could have found this information. It looks like my repro rail is real close at .652. I see a lot of the mounts had a thumbscrew added to take out any slop. The scoped P14 picture is awesome. I've never seen one of these and I wonder how few are still out there.
Salt Flat

[jmoore]

I see a lot of the mounts had a thumbscrew added to take out any slop.

According to Herbert McBride, the common solution for those shooters on the front lines in WWI worried about loss of zero or inability to shoot accurately with the set-up "as issued" was to use broken off strips of "safety razor" blades inserted between the scope and mount. Then rusted in place on purpose to really lock things together.

Not saying that's what you ought to do, but if you ever find yourself in the trenches...

[jmoore]

Just as a closing thought, the edge to edge dimension isn't a great indicator of whether the dovetail itself is correctly dimensioned. Any radiusing of the edge will change the size whilst not affecting the fit of the assembly.

And what's a thread without a photo?



Don't think I've one with the scope off, yet.

[Badger]

Here's an OLD thread from 2009, but it was an interesting read ...

Warner Swasey scope mounted on a Patt. 14 (T)?

I guess it's also where I found the original drawing above, kindly posted by Simon..

Regards,
Doug

[Salt Flat]

Awesome picture. That rifle looks totally untouched since 1918!

[jmoore]

Awesome picture. That rifle looks totally untouched since 1918!

I wish! The scope and mount are original. But not to that rifle. It's too old. And the stock is a little too new for the rifle. (Two reinforcement cross screws.) It shoots well, though, with ammo it likes. Horribly with ammo it doesn't!