WW1 'Periscope Prism company' sniper scope???

[lmg15]

Very kind of you; good to know we're not suffering alone here!

Img15, great photos there. That erector cell adjustment slot on the underside may be a sign of some post-war fiddling. I once had an Aldis No4 with post-war H&H marks where a second slot had been cut, presumably some mixing and matching of optical components made that necessary. Worthy of a refurb that one.

To anyone reading this who has an Aldis scope or serial numbered parts of one, we've got somewhere around 125 logged so far and would welcome more details or photos. Post here or PM Roger, Img15 or myself. TIA.

Thanks surpmil, the scope photos were as posted on ebay, and I have the bits to restore to completeness now. So will be definitely taking up your suggestion. There is (fortunately) only one erector adjustment slot - the photo is a bit deceptive as the previous owner has rotated the scope body 180 degrees in the mounts. Usually with Aldis scopes, the scope serial number is engraved alongside this slot such that is obscured by the cover plate. so that is a marker for whether the slot is original or not.

I believe we have mere 137 out of a possible 7,000 scopes logged, so please keep them coming!

BTW, the standard P14(T) front mounting block has the same critical dimensions as the overbore Aldis type in terms of set heights etc.

Roger, as for the consistent absence of the front rifle mounting block for the overbore Aldis, I do wonder as well. We know of one original front block, and a couple of rear blocks, so why not the others? I winder is many of the rifle mounts were just left on the receivers when they were junked, knowing they would never se used again?

On the topic of Mk.VI ammo being used at Gallipoli, it is well researched. In short, Australia made Mk,VI until Dec 1917 when UK went over to Mk.VII in 1910. Lithgow rifles were sighted for Mk.VI until late in WW1. before CAC started Mk.VII production in January 1918. The disposal of surplus rifles from Turkey c.200o revealed a lot of SMLE IIIs sighted in Mk.VI - all marked to battalions of regiments that were at Gallipoli. Australian rifles used at Gallipoli went into the UK armoury system, as the AIF was issued with new Brit production rifles in Mk.VII for France.

ATB,

Damien

[Roger Payne]

Thanks Damien. I've alluded separately to your fleshing out of the bones re the MkVI ammunition question. I started the new thread as I thought it might be helpful to let people know the benefit of IDS's opinion, without the risk of it getting lost in this thread, which has become somewhat of a monster! Your helpful comments confirm that, to my mind at least, any other explanation is highly unlikely.

Yes, I take your point re the front bases possibly being left on the rifles when the SMLE snipers were stripped at Weedon in the 1920's. I have some SAC minutes relating to the disposal of these rifles, but they are not specific enough to mention individual types or details of the method of disposal. Still strange that a few rear bases exist though.....I have come across the existence of three or four over the years.

[Promo]

Quick pic, from left to right:
1. Aldis 1916, serial 71357
2. Aldis 1915, serial 66803
3. Aldis 1916, serial 67678
4. Aldis 1915, serial 67139
5. Aldis 1916, serial 67946
6. Aldis 1916, serial 68914
7. Aldis 1916, serial 70885

I think the mounts on them are self-explaining (except for the idea of someone to swap the rings positions). Of the three that I didn‘t picture I‘ll provide data/pics later.

[Surpmil]

Thanks surpmil, the scope photos were as posted on ebay, and I have the bits to restore to completeness now. So will be definitely taking up your suggestion. There is (fortunately) only one erector adjustment slot - the photo is a bit deceptive as the previous owner has rotated the scope body 180 degrees in the mounts. Usually with Aldis scopes, the scope serial number is engraved alongside this slot such that is obscured by the cover plate. so that is a marker for whether the slot is original or not.

I believe we have mere 137 out of a possible 7,000 scopes logged, so please keep them coming!
....
ATB,
Damien

How could I not see the lead screw hole!? Was expecting soldered rings so rotation never crossed my mind and therefore didn't look!

....

I think the mounts on them are self-explaining (except for the idea of someone to swap the rings positions). Of the three that I didn‘t picture I‘ll provide data/pics later.

Great thanks! Only two were already on our list. Interesting how someone has tried to reverse the tube in one of them - did they get confused or was it an attempt at correcting Purdey's failure to understand recoil forces?!

Third from the right must have had the drum saddle reversed at some point as the screw ahead of the saddle on top of the tube is there to stop the drum locking screw from being unscrewed too far and lost.

If you have time, photos of the range markings would help and is there a serial number below the saddle on the right hand scope? (Prior notes suggest there is)

As a general comment on details needed:

1. All engraved markings on tubes & rings/mounts
2. Markings on range drums (where not visible in photos)
3. Any markings on cases or lens caps (if any)
4. Reticule type and optical condition (if not usual)
5. General info on provenance, where found etc.

Any suggestions on details worth recording are welcome from anyone of course.

[Promo]

Rob, thanks for pointing out that it was wrongly assembled. I always had wondered why someone would install the scope rings wrong way again. Makes more sense that during cleaning it was wrongly assembled. Will correct this later today!
You might have the Alexander Martin mounted Aldis in your list since I have provided pictures of this one in the past. Roger confirmed yesterday my suspicion on this scope originally having been on a PPCo dovetail Type mount, the four digit rifle number on the scope tube under the elevation turret would confirm this, along with the two plugged holes atop the tube.