No.32 mk3 maybe

**Micheal Doyne** · 05-31-2019 07:53 PM

Well I should have it in my (admittedly not very experienced) hands next week. And I will certainly report back on any findings.

I presume rectifying stuck Mk3 drums isn’t a job an unskilled armature... ?

Incesntly as the firm is still in existence I have sent them an email asking if they can shed any light on a model No32 with there logo on it. But given it was a few years ago I’m doubtful of anything coming back. However should anything come of it il feed back to here!

Thanks for all the responses!

**Highly Recommended** · 05-31-2019 07:53 PM

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**Alan de Enfield** · 06-01-2019 02:09 AM

Originally Posted by bigduke6

The finish looks to be original, as Warren points out, the repro's are all based on Mk11's. Wonder if it was an Example of what the Mk3 was going to be like or what the finish needed to be etc? maybe a display peice for display cabinet etc.

A lot of companies took pride in what they produced and probably even more just after the war as they would of been touting for business..........

I was wondering in a similar vein,

Could the word 'model' actually be used to indicate a non-working piece to visually demonstrate something ? (like a 'model car')
It was marked prominently with "Model" to ensure it was never shipped out as a working 'scope.
Could in fact, the turrets NOT be seized, but actually not have any internals and just be there for 'display' ?

It is certainly a mystery item.

**Micheal Doyne** · 06-01-2019 02:53 AM

Originally Posted by Alan de Enfield

I was wondering in a similar vein,

Could the word 'model' actually be used to indicate a non-working piece to visually demonstrate something ? (like a 'model car')
It was marked prominently with "Model" to ensure it was never shipped out as a working 'scope.
Could in fact, the turrets NOT be seized, but actually not have any internals and just be there for 'display' ?

It is certainly a mystery item.

I am rather assuming this to be the case, if only as a way of managing my own expectations.

Someone in the know how far should a layman progress with stripping one of these without putting risking of breakage and or having to strip the whole thing to get it back together?

**Peter Laidler** · 06-01-2019 05:32 AM

Some Mk3 telescopes are a total bastard to strip, even using heat and chemicals to break down the now dried out, rock hard and bitty bitumastic based sealant. Then there's the hidden grub screws threaded deep into the............. Don't even bother. In the days that I used to repair the odd one or two, I saw enough needless damage and butchery caused by bumbling enthusiastic amateurs to last a few lifetimes. I often think that I might write a sequel to the little No32 book, detailing the carnage I saw. A classic one was no clicks past 4 on the range drum. Clicker plate locator missing and plate replaced 1/3rd of a rotation out! Apparently it left the factory like that in 1944 because the owner told me that it was original.

**GeeRam** · 06-01-2019 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by Alan de Enfield

Could the word 'model' actually be used to indicate a non-working piece to visually demonstrate something ? (like a 'model car')
It was marked prominently with "Model" to ensure it was never shipped out as a working 'scope.
Could in fact, the turrets NOT be seized, but actually not have any internals and just be there for 'display' ?

I think that's a very likely explanation IMHO.

**Roger Payne** · 06-01-2019 08:50 AM

Yep, quite possibly.

**Peter Laidler** · 06-01-2019 12:37 PM

But how would you stop the turrets rotating? The only things I can think of is index plates rusted onto corroded/expanded old type fibre seals or someone super-glued it together!! Drill through and pin? I wonder if the slipping scales slip.

Maybe someone ought to loosen the range lead screw lock-nut out and...... read the 'thinking of buying a No32 scope ' thread to save me writing it all out again!!!!

**Roger Payne** · 06-01-2019 01:33 PM

Come to think of it, if it was just supposed to be a non-functional piece but of the correct dimensions, why put a set of expensive precision ground optical glass lenses lenses into it....?

As Peter hinted, it'll need partially stripping just to answer some of these questions......

**Peter Laidler** · 06-02-2019 06:18 AM

Talking of precision ground optical glass lenses, last call for anyone needing a set of ocular lenses for the Aldis series ofWW1 tele sights?

**Micheal Doyne** · 06-02-2019 11:23 AM

I would be in, If you where also offering to supply the rest of the sighting system?

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