No.32 MKI & MKIIs

[Musgrave]

Hi All,

I'm a new member to the forum and quite new to historic/vintage rifles having mainly been involved in UK NRA TR and MR disciplines. I'm awaiting the arrival of a No.4 MK2 built by Fultons with a new Criterion Barrel (I missed out on No.4s at school and CCF by a few years so needed to get my own!) and would like to convert to faux (but good) T spec. I have two original No.32 scopes, a MKI and a MKII, I'm keen to use the MKII for the finer adjustments but I want to give the scope a good clean and re-lubricate. I'm not unfamiliar with optical repairs having worked with ex Barr and Stroud man Jim Quigg in Glasgow for a few years (I used to repair Watson microscopes and do reticle repairs on Pecars for the Forestry Commission for him) but I've been stumped with the MKII scope. I can't get the erector cell out. There's a hard metal (possibly sintered) plug which is locking it in place and it seems to have cold welded itself to (I assume) a threaded brass or similar soft metal body inside. This plug is quite brittle but parts of it are firmly bonded to the erector assembly. I've tried to gently heat it using a soldering iron (it won't melt) but I've backed off that route incase I'm doing something wrong. I assume this part can be pushed out if the metal plug is removed. Does anyone have some advice on this? The rest of the scope has come apart nicely but this part is proving troublesome. I'd be happy enough to make a new one, if spares aren't available as I have one of the lathes and lots of thread tooling from Barr and Stroud so I'm not daunted by this. I hope someone can help, many thanks in anticipation. Ron

Information

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[Lee Enfield]

I've never taken one apart, but I do have Mr. Laidler's No32 scope book (which you don't seem to).

https://www.ds-militarybooks.com/ind...c913vn9afoful2

From my understanding - the "plug" you are trying to remove is a threaded screw....

[CINDERS]

I should wait a tad and no doubt Mr Laidler will chime in with his expertise to assist you on the dilemma you have, he has been known to have repaired 1 or 2 of the No.32 series...........!

Welcome to milsurps by the way.

[Musgrave]

The author of the book in the previous replies link?

I'll try and order a copy in any case.

Thanks

[Brian Dick]

I think you mean the "segment, locking, erector" is stuck, It is made of pot metal and has a hole in the top. You should be able to get a small drift punch or jewelers screw driver in the hole to carefully break it loose and lift it out. The serrations on the bottom side engage the grooves on the erector keeping it from shifting under recoil. It may be corroded in place and if that's the case, it may take some more heat to get it out.

---------- Post added at 11:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:49 AM ----------

Definitely get a copy of the booklet from DS Solutions.

[Musgrave]

Thanks, I have purchased the pamphlet a few moments ago. It is firmly stuck. Do you know if the assembly should then push out?

[waco16]

I don't suppose the Mk 1 scope has serial number 1923 or 3273?
One can live in hope!

[Brian Dick]

The erector will come out after removing the locking segment. I think the REME instrument techs use a plastic or wood mandrel made for the task but I'm not sure. Maybe Peter will chime in.

[Musgrave]

I don't suppose the Mk 1 scope has serial number 1923 or 3273?
One can live in hope!

5657, sorry

---------- Post added at 10:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:31 PM ----------

The erector will come out after removing the locking segment. I think the REME instrument techs use a plastic or wood mandrel made for the task but I'm not sure. Maybe Peter will chime in.

It comes out of the MKI easily enough but is stuck fast in the MK2. I used as much heat as I dared but gave up. it looks to me as if I have to devise a method to thin it down and then hopefully break it up bit by bit. I'd like to know if there are any lenses directly underneath it or are they to either side of this area.

[waco16]

Worth a try - thanks