Central peep sight

[martins8589]

I use a second hand note book and pencil. $3.50

[Calfed]

George Swenson was an American who worked for John Wilkes in London, a very colourful character who managed to get banned from Bisley for using a sight type that at the time was illegal (or actually not approved by council, although I believe the year after they accepted it!)
After his suspension he developed the rifle we know as the Swing and called the first model SIN 71, this was in effect sticking two fingers up at the NRA at Bisley by referring to the model as the Sin of 1971, the year they banned him.
Whilst at John Wilkes he invented a rear target sight which carried the Wilkes name and then later his own name. An older friend of mine owns Swing No.98, but thinks it was nearer No.35 as George liked to "up" his production to make it look that he was selling far more than he really was!
He went back to the states some years later and an ex buisness partner of his went to see him on hearing of his ill health, asked on his death bed if he had a message for anybody at Bisley he replied, bugger Bisley!

Thanks, Strangely.

Are these Swenson sights considered to be "good kit"?

---------- Post added at 10:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:58 AM ----------

Anyone know where I can get a Central Sight mounting plate for a no1 MKIII or a no4 Rifle?

[Strangely Brown]

[QUOTE=Calfed;357187]Thanks, Strangely.

Are these Swenson sights considered to be "good kit"?[COLOR="black"]

---------- Post added at 10:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:58 AM ----------

The honest answer is that you don't often see them!
I'm pleased with the sight and it works well; is it as good as a PH 5c? I suspect the P-H 5c is stronger in construction.

Seen here on one of my Whitaker Specials.

[Calfed]

William Dunn, although not his first foray into sight making, the Central Sight patent 17801/34 was the most successful.
The original sight was available and in use prior to the patent date of 1934, but due to a long running patent infringement suite, it did not become commercially available until 1936.
The CENTRAL brand was to eventually overtake most of the sight manufacturers as the preferred option, diversifying into other related accurising components and continued thru three different models,(1,2,3 and finally 4) and several different Marks well into the year 2000.
It proved so popular, that it was illegally cloned in England, and replica brands were instigated when its patent finally ceased in the late 1970's.
It continues in use today, the TMAC sight is simply a robust copy of the original Central 4, serviceing and parts for these sights are readily available still.
Attachment 70342

and there are several mounting bracket styles to suit in styles for various makes of target rifle.

I've also got a "Clarke" sight which bears a remarkable resemblance to the Central...I'm guessing it was a clone of the Central.

Here is the Central:



Here is the Clarke:

[Strangely Brown]

Arthur Clarke's sight is still well respected amongest some TR shooters, he died in August 2014.

His obituary:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obit...-obituary.html

[muffett.2008]

Yes, it was a clone, manufactured after Dunn's patent had expired.

Unknown British cloneAttachment 70451Attachment 70452
Clarke.Attachment 70453Attachment 70454
TMAC.Attachment 70455Attachment 70456

Central No.1 Attachment 70457
No.2 Attachment 70458
No.3 Attachment 70459
No.4 Attachment 70460 Compared to No.3 Bisley.

There were four Marks to the Central No.4
Mk.1 Attachment 70461
Mk.2 Attachment 70462
Mk.3 Attachment 70463
Mk.4 Attachment 70464

.........and several variants, both right and left hand, 1/4,1/3 and 1/2 minute adjustments and combinations on both windage and elevation, changeable iris mounts for both Parker Hale, Gehman and the later large style combination iris........the list goes on.

[tiriaq]

I have a variant of a Central pattern sight. Designed for BPCR competition, it is much larger, to provide for the increased elevation and windage needed.

[Calfed]

Anyone have any ideas on where I might find a mounting plate and hardware for either the Central or Clarke sight?

[tiriaq]

There is a Central No. 4 sight with its mounting base and quick release clamp screw currently advertised at canadiangunnutz.com. Has the sliding aperture. Price is C$50, plus shipping. That is a remarkable bargain. I was going to buy it, just because, but I really don't need another aperture sight.

[Calfed]

There is a Central No. 4 sight with its mounting base and quick release clamp screw currently advertised at canadiangunnutz.com. Has the sliding aperture. Price is C$50, plus shipping. That is a remarkable bargain. I was going to buy it, just because, but I really don't need another aperture sight.

Looking for that item now. Is it in the "Exchange" section?