Looking for info on the L42 L1A1 scope turrets

[Warren]

If you think the British engraving is convoluted you should see the early production REL Mk.1 !!!
The engraving runs 360 degree around the tube with some info on the top, some at 3 o'clock, some at 6 o'clock, etc.
But, we learned to how to make world class optical glass in less than 6 months.
We were casting billets of optical glass that was second to none but we did not have bombs dropping on our head either.
Our problem was with sealing the scopes and I have had the opportunity to open a number of early REL scopes that still had the soldered over screws.
The seals were oiled cotton twine....Nothing else.
I know it is used on valve packing and Vickers guns but not sure it is kosher for a scope adjustment movement.
The saga of soldering the mounts to the action was also a real bone of contention, as Canada did not solder the pads and there were copious letters back and forth between the UK and Canada on that subject.

Information

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[Surpmil]

If you think the British engraving is convoluted you should see the early production REL Mk.1 !!!
The engraving runs 360 degree around the tube with some info on the top, some at 3 o'clock, some at 6 o'clock, etc.
But, we learned to how to make world class optical glass in less than 6 months.
We were casting billets of optical glass that was second to none but we did not have bombs dropping on our head either.
Our problem was with sealing the scopes and I have had the opportunity to open a number of early REL scopes that still had the soldered over screws.
The seals were oiled cotton twine....Nothing else.
I know it is used on valve packing and Vickers guns but not sure it is kosher for a scope adjustment movement.
The saga of soldering the mounts to the action was also a real bone of contention, as Canada did not solder the pads and there were copious letters back and forth between the UK and Canada on that subject.

Are those features ever seen on any other No.32 Mk.I's? Not that I've seen apart or taken apart; in fact was there any spec. for water or weather-proofing the non-R.E.L. Mk.I. scopes? No evidence of same that I've noticed.

Sounds like R.E.L./S.A.L. were pro-actively looking for ways to improve the design, rather than slavishly copying what was provided; a policy that is evident throughout their production - though of course they soon realized they could design better and did: the C67, Telescopes, Observing, Snipers & Stand, Monte Carlo stock for the No4(T) etc.

Can't speak to the quality of R.E.L.s glass compared to UK production, but looked through many R.E.L. and UK produced No.42s and the light transmission of the R.E.L's was clearly and considerably better in almost all cases. Perhaps a bit more spherical distortion at the edge of the f.o.v. though?

As Peter mentioned the curvature of the ocular lens doublets is different from U.K. production - ' don't know why, but commonality of production was reportedly an issue R.E.L/S.A.L. also tried to put into effect where possible.