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Advisory Panel
Singer Manufacturing Mark I Backsights
Success!
After searching and searching I finally found the last example for the collection.
The Rifle No. 4 Mark I machined backsight was quickly replaced in 1941 by the Mark II, "L" shaped flip sight as the Mark I backsight was extremely labour intensive.
Singer Manufacturing was the only British
company manufacturing them during World War II and switched over the Mark II backsight production in 1941 leaving examples already manufactured available for use on "common" Rifles No. 4 Mark I.
The Rifle No. 4 T conversion program at Holland & Holland saw the need for the Mark I backsight resulting in Stevens-Savage examples being liberated from some rifles to be used on British Rifle No. 4 T conversions due to the lack of examples from Singer. Singer appears to have been contracted for a limited manufacturing run of the Mark I backsight in 1942, 1943, and possibly 1944. This results in Singer Manufacturing Mark I backsights to have "SM41", "SM42", "SM43", and "N67" marked leafs.
As all examples from 1942 onward were intended for Rifle No. 4 T use most all are found with the battle aperture removed for telescope clearance. Finding SM42, SM43, and N67 marked backsights with the battle aperture intact is a challenge.
The easiest to find is the SM41 as many were installed in early Rifle No. 4 production. The final "N67" is not easy but can be found leaving SM42 and for me, SM43, being the hardest to find. While showing some pitting it is the first SM43 I have come across with the battle aperture intact.
Note: As Singer Manufacturing only manufactured the Mark I backsight during World War II all of their production has the 0.01-inch battle aperture hole size.
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03-24-2025 03:11 PM
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Advisory Panel
For what it is worth, Savage marked Mk 1 and 2 sights were manufactured by Lyman Gun Sight company as pictured in an American Rifleman magazine Lyman WWII advertisement.
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The Following 8 Members Say Thank You to breakeyp For This Useful Post:
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Advisory Panel
Originally Posted by
breakeyp
For what it is worth, Savage marked Mk 1 and 2 sights were manufactured by Lyman Gun Sight company as pictured in an American Rifleman magazine Lyman WWII advertisement.
Do you have the ad somewhere convenient to post? I would love to have a copy!
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Advisory Panel
Was the 1941 bombing of Singer's factory in Clydebank a factor in the supply of Mk.I sights?
Clydebank Blitz - Wikipedia
The Story of Singer Sewing Machines in Scotland
Long Branch seems to have used that early type of aperture right through their Mk.I sight production.
Last edited by Surpmil; 03-25-2025 at 10:51 AM.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Edward Bernays, 1928
Much changes, much remains the same. 
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The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Surpmil For This Useful Post:
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Advisory Panel
Originally Posted by
Lance
Do you have the ad somewhere convenient to post? I would love to have a copy!
Unfortunately a flooded basement put paid to my WWII vintage American Rifleman magazines. If I remember correctlly, the ad was reproduced in a book on NRA ads and articles on WWII. I have a copy but can't get to it as the house is in the midst of new paint and trim. I am lucky to find my mind.
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The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to breakeyp For This Useful Post:
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Advisory Panel
Originally Posted by
breakeyp
Unfortunately a flooded basement put paid to my WWII vintage American Rifleman magazines. If I remember correctlly, the ad was reproduced in a book on NRA ads and articles on WWII. I have a copy but can't get to it as the house is in the midst of new paint and trim. I am lucky to find my mind.
Be careful of paint fumes. I don't trust the new low VOC paints either. More than a decade ago I went to a garage sale and as I recognized the house, I asked after the owner. His wife told me he had been painting the house interior and had developed severe headaches. Not long after symptoms of dementia appeared and from there it was all down hill and he passed away within a year IIRC.
Presumably some type of unusual reaction, or ??
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Edward Bernays, 1928
Much changes, much remains the same.
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