N° 8 Mk I trainer fitted with an A. J. Parker 8/53 sight attachment

[tr63]

PH No 5D was used for the No8 it did not use the threaded hole as used for the ejector on the No4 .It had a higher mounting arm than the PH 5 and used threaded holes on the left side of the receiver. One that was much higher then found on the .303 cal. No4 and the hole just in front of the safety . that is not found on the No4 .

Information

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[Didier]

PH No 5D was used for the No8 it did not use the threaded hole as used for the ejector on the No4 .It had a higher mounting arm than the PH 5 and used threaded holes on the left side of the receiver. One that was much higher then found on the .303 cal. No4 and the hole just in front of the safety . that is not found on the No4 .

Thank you.
So, if I got it right, the receiver of my No. 8 is already threaded to accommodate such a PH No 5D sight?

Here are some better pictures:

[tr63]

Thank you.
So, if I got it right, the receiver of my No. 8 is already threaded to accommodate such a PH No 5D sight?

Here are some better pictures:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...gqM3jePh-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5qk5su5h-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DgqC3SRh-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9DgqIyQh-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fz4eKBkh-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9kssyNdh-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fSAuQEqh-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...frsmoSKh-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...mquC8PQh-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...uETPbPch-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...OL1vxi1h-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ilrbnSMh-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...gH5oKhEh-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...aeAzDxph-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9e4UDL8h-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...331S5UHh-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ndm2fkyh-1.jpg

Yes your No8 is set up to have you to screw a PH5D sight to the left side of the receiver .

[Didier]

Yes your No8 is set up to have you to screw a PH5D sight to the left side of the receiver .

Now finding one and being able to afford it is another matter altogether !
Were these PH sights rather the exception or the rule at the time when No. 8 trainers were in service? They must have added considerably to the cost of the rifle, so I suppose they must have been used for small-bore competition rather than the basic training of cadets. As regards small-bore competition, I would be interested to know which of these sights were officially acknowledged for participation.

[RobD]

For a selection of sights with prices, see Untitled 1

[Strangely Brown]

Now finding one and being able to afford it is another matter altogether !
Were these PH sights rather the exception or the rule at the time when No. 8 trainers were in service? They must have added considerably to the cost of the rifle, so I suppose they must have been used for small-bore competition rather than the basic training of cadets. As regards small-bore competition, I would be interested to know which of these sights were officially acknowledged for participation.

Didier,

They were purchased privately by the cadet force the No.8's belonged to; my own county cadet force in the 1960's had No.8's but with the plain issued leaf sight that the 8/53 fits onto.
Many of the public schools cadet forces (CCF) were better funded and had the 8/53; I don't think a distinction was made in competition between the various sights as these were mainly used at 25 metres so not offering a huge advantage.

[Nigel]

Back in 1981 when, as a cadet, I shot a No.8 in the Country Life competition there were two distinct classes. Class A Cup was for No.8 rifles fitted with Match sights. We used the PH 5D with aperture/globe foresights. 93 units entered this class. Class B Cup was for the as issued rear sights with blade foresights - 60 units entered this class.

[Strangely Brown]

Back in 1981 when, as a cadet, I shot a No.8 in the Country Life competition there were two distinct classes. Class A Cup was for No.8 rifles fitted with Match sights. We used the PH 5D with aperture/globe foresights. 93 units entered this class. Class B Cup was for the as issued rear sights with blade foresights - 60 units entered this class.

Thanks for the correction Nigel; the only match I recall was Sussex ACF in the early 1960's shot against a private school.
The concept of competitive shooting was something we rarely did!