No.32 TP Mk. I scopes

[Brian Dick]

I have a spare original scope that I purchased from Pete Bloom at the same time I purchased the one listed in thread #6. You can add it to your list of numbers. It's 4438S with the original ring assembly numbered to rifle 74L0263.

[Roger Payne]

Here are a few pictures of relevant parts of mine. You can see the scope & rifle serials I think. I've no idea what possessed someone to stamp the rifle serial by hand under the neatly engraved (same) number.........but that's how Charnwood got it from Canada & that's how it came to me.

ATB.

Scope number isn't as clear as I'd hoped, but is 4678 S.

[Lee Enfield]

Scopes can become damaged or lost in service, so one would reasonably expect a supply of spare scopes and parts. A spare scope # 4430S was sent to the UK along with a test rifle 74L0022 with scope 4419S and scope (re: Peter Laidler above). We have all seen how scopes were so often changed on No. 4 sniper rifles and the normal No. 32 scopes have a great reputation for toughness.

Only 351 Lyman scopes were ordered by Canada ( the 1943 trials one and 350 production models) (pp. 43 & 46 "Without Warning" by C. Law reference to the trials and the contract). Either there was a second contract for some spare scopes or fewer than 350 sniping rigs were assembled so as to leave some spare scopes.

Does anyone have any thoughts or even better, facts regarding these spare No. 32 (TP) Mk. I scopes?

Does anyone know what the "S" at the end of the serial number stood for? e.g. 4407S followed by a /|\ (though some did not have a broad arrow) which was not part of the serial number.

Thank you Peter for the information on the caps being standard Alaskan caps.

No, the serial numbers I have collected indicate the full 350 rifles being assembled.

Low of 74L0000
High of 74L0340

[Lee Enfield]

Here are a few pictures of relevant parts of mine. You can see the scope & rifle serials I think. I've no idea what possessed someone to stamp the rifle serial by hand under the neatly engraved (same) number.........but that's how Charnwood got it from Canada & that's how it came to me.

ATB.

Scope number isn't as clear as I'd hoped, but is 4678 S.

I wonder if the hand-stamped serial number on your rings is not the original, as the engraved serial is in a "non-standard" (high) position on the plate. Usually the serial is more or less centred in the plate between the locking levers.

Edited to add: maybe not as I reviewed some pics of other TP rings, which seem to be at the same position.

Also, I have noticed that the first 250+ serial numbers are engraved in a larger font than the last few.

[Roger Payne]

I don't know, but I guess what you say is feasible, especially with it bearing the (perhaps???) lowest/first TP rifle number on it. This rifle & scope was in the collection of two well known Ontario based Canadian dealers till Charnwood bought them about twenty years ago, so although mis-matched the combo has been together for a long time. Oddly, although the Charnwood collection contained many tasty items this was the only one I ever purchased.

ATB

[Seaforth72]

Thank you Peter for the information on the caps being standard Alaskan caps.

Correction: Thank you to "Lee-Enfield" re: scope caps.

[Lance]

Here is my example, all "correct" as far as I can tell, only bad news is that the scope case got separated and lost....

[Seaforth72]

No, the serial numbers I have collected indicate the full 350 rifles being assembled.

Low of 74L0000
High of 74L0340

"Lee-Enfield" - I think you meant to write High of 74L0350.

[Seaforth72]

Note the positioning of the original rifle serial number on the scope bracket.

From the Canadian Army EME Manual Weapons C 500 p. 4 Issue 3 - 21 Apr 53
Image and close-up of same photo enhanced to show the number a little better.

Close-up examination shows that it is 74L0209 The full scope serial number is illegible in the photo. All I can read are the S and the /|\ that follows the SN.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Lee Enfield]

"Lee-Enfield" - I think you meant to write High of 74L0350.

No, the lowest serial I have actually observed is 74L0000 and the highest is 74L0340 (held in my hot little hands...)

http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...os/TP%2020.JPG

looks like 209 might have lost it's rifle...or a very near relative