Winchester A5 scope with Broad Arrow mark

[Kri4h]

Good evening all,
I apologize if my post is in the wrong section.

I recently bought this scope, a Winchester A5; it has the broad arrow along with two different numbers, which I assume are serial numbers? It has simple cross hairs. Regrettably, the mounts are not original to the scope and is a later addition made by Lyman.

I would be grateful for any information that can shed a light as to the back ground of this particular scope.

Many thank and kind regards,
K

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Surpmil]

As you probably guessed it has an SMLE rifle number engraved on the tube, then lined out when the rifle was lost/destroyed/shot out and the scope then refitted to another rifle.
The odd part is the number 8.8455 doesn't correspond any serial number range I can think of off-hand. Maybe someone else has an idea?

Where did you find it, out of curiosity?

[Promo]

I think it is not "8.8455" but a highly serifed S and should read "S.8455".

The re-serialized Winchester A5 scope is something new to me, I had not seen this before. Thank you for sharing it with us and if you decide to sell the scope, please let me know!

[Kri4h]

Surpmil, it's actually S 8455. I purchased this off a dealer in the UK who had it in his possession for several years who didn't know anything about its provenance other than it was an ex-sniper scope. I had fun negotiating for it

Promo, thank you but this is going in my collection

[Promo]

If you keep it and want a fun project, send Roger Payne a PM and ask if he still has one of the mount copies for the Whitehead mount. You then can have it mounted on a SMLE and put the scope on the rifle so you have a tribue rifle which you can also shoot.

[Roger Payne]

Just got back from a few days away. Yes, it's a nice re-serialled ex-SMLE sniper Winchester scope. If you could manage some more detailed photo's of the rear rings/adjusters, they could be originals, although the front looks to have been replaced as you say. Does the rear one actually bear the Lyman name? The larger lined out serial is typical of scopes that were engraved up. Most only bear one rifle number, though I've seen two or three with two. I am currently awaiting another batch of the reproduction Whitehead bases, although I'm not yet sure which side of Xmas they will arrive.......

[Kri4h]

Hi Roger, the mounts are Lyman as confirmed by the patent dates on them. Would you be able to point me to a set of original Winchester mounts?

Regards,
K

[mrclark303]

Well, I can only dream of putting together a WW1 SMLE, this scope is the perfect starting point for such a rifle project...

Great find!

[Roger Payne]

Hi. I'm sorry to say that I don't have any spares - just those that came on my scopes, but I did hear some time ago of a chap in the US that may have had them. It was a while back but I'll try & find the details, if I still have them. I only get the bases made I'm afraid.

[Sparkbrook]

Hi. I'm sorry to say that I don't have any spares - just those that came on my scopes, but I did hear some time ago of a chap in the US that may have had them. It was a while back but I'll try & find the details, if I still have them. I only get the bases made I'm afraid.

There is a guy in the US and I’m still trying to get in touch with him too.
Roger I need to touch base with you re the Mounts