Are reproduction no.32 scopes any good?

[Brian Dick]

The telescope bracket will need to be flitted properly. Once this is done, any No.32 scope will work. Why do you think you need an REL scope? I understand that it's a Canadian rifle as factory original but it's now a mix of British, (mostly ROF (Fazakerley), and Canadian wood and metal as restored. Any good British No.32 will be right as rain as far as I'm concerned. Roger's brackets will be to the British pattern too. He's done both the Daglish and Rose Brothers in the past and they are distinctly different. My point is that you should get any good, original No.32. British manufacture scopes are more available and every bit as good if not better than the ones made by REL which will obviously be at a premium because of the rarity. The display vs shooting idea doesn't compute in my brain. You''ll never hurt this rifle or an original scope as long as you take care of it. They were built for the rigors and extreme weather of REAL military service. The range time we give them 70 plus years later will do more good than harm. Besides, life's just too short not to do it right.

---------- Post added at 04:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:02 PM ----------

should read "fitted"

[vintage hunter]

Is it advisable to have a "shooting" scope (i.e. K-3) and then switch it out for a "display" scope (i.e. No. 32)?

All that's not necessary. The real deal will serve both purposes. If you're worrying about damaging it going to and from the range then transport it in the scope tin. That's what they were for, protecting/storing the scope/bracket when in actual use.

What's the chance of having to re-zero the scopes upon mounting and then dismounting and then remounting? (never did this before).

Little to none, as long as the scope isn't removed from the bracket and the bracket has been properly collimated. I store my L42 in it's transit chest with the scope stored separately in it's tin and have yet to experience any variations in POA/POI from the day I zero'd it.

[Peter Laidler]

When we replaced scopes for any reason, we didn't particularly care what telescope we fitted as a replacement. It was the one that came from Ordnance! Indeed, I recall several LB L42's doing the rounds......... with UK made Mk3 telescopes and one a few weekends ago at a well known UK dealers premises with an L1A2/ex Mk2 type!

Just get a bit of a heap and have it rebuilt locally. Save twice, buy once was what my wise old dad used to say....... Like buying an Omega wristwatch he would say

[mr.e moose]

Correct me if I am wrong. early on some of the Longbranch T's were fitted with Lyman Alaskans. That would be a scope that wouldn't break the bank and would still be somewhat correct would it not?

[Brian Dick]

There was a short run of Long Branch TP, ("Trade Pattern"), sniper rifles built in 1944 with the Lyman Alaskan fitted. They don't interchange with standard No.4T rifles as the base and brackets were a totally different design.

[Seaspriter]

Robert, Your rifle is restored to MoD spec, just as it left British service and before "Bubba" got hold of it. It would be foolish not to invest in any British or Canadian No.32 and one of Roger Payne's scope mounts when they become available. To put a crap reproduction scope on this rifle will be a big disappointment to you from both the practical and investment standpoint in my humble opinion

Thanks Brian -- Your work of art won't be desecrated. To see what Brian is working on, I started a new thread: https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....55567&p=355224

[martins8589]

Well after all the posts about getting a genuine No32 scope and be done with it, I just saw this one on ebay in Germany. For only a MKI it is 2240GBP for buy it now. $5000AUD with shipping. Looks like I can't get enough spoon fulls of cement into my cup of tea so the Red Star Mountain MKII copy looks like the go for me.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Original-...wAAOSw~OVWt5Xs

[bigduke6]

Seaspriter, Although only a few hours after my post I may be selling a Mk11 in the near future, so will give you first refusal.... can't promise anything yet but I may have a few bills coming in, don't worry its not to do with debt collectors or getting the Electric cut off....... I'm in the process of doing a deal on a Phone Box.........

[Seaspriter]

after all the posts about getting a genuine No32 scope and be done with it, I just saw this one on ebay in Germany. For only a MKI it is 2240GBP for buy it now. $5000AUD with shipping.

With costs skyrocketing and fakes showing up, perhaps it's becoming time for someone to resurrect the No.32 with a high quality reproduction, just as Criterion has made barrels and Roger Payne has made scope brackets for our Enfields. Parts should be interchangeable with the originals, then the repro parts could be used with originals that are broken and need repair. If Wayne in Taiwan (waynemachine@mky.com) can make these for Numrich or Sarco, why can't someone in the US or Canada or UK make them to MoD standards today?

[mr.e moose]

There was a short run of Long Branch TP, ("Trade Pattern"), sniper rifles built in 1944 with the Lyman Alaskan fitted. They don't interchange with standard No.4T rifles as the base and brackets were a totally different design.

What would the correct bases and rings be in this case? Here in Alberta with the economic downturn my wife would shoot me with one of my own rifles if I was to splurge $6,000 + to acquire a original. No fakery intended, I like to participate in milsurp matches but the old eyes need a little help nowadays. I would like to show up with something other than a no smith mount and a Redfield scope. I have a few No 4's that are mix masters that have been restored ,Louis and I have done what we can do to bring a few back. The ones I do are just for my own use.