WW1 'Periscope Prism company' sniper scope???

[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.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Roger Payne]

Thanks D, Yes, the rear leg of the SMLE ring is quite long due to the relatively low position of the rear base on the SMLE rifle body, in comparison to the P'14. I have often wondered as, with the sole exception of this scope & mount that surpmil has shown, all sets of these mounts are incomplete, missing the front mount base (if not more). With such small numbers that we are aware of that have survived it could just be coincidence, but it might not be. The exact shape of the bases (SMLE vs P'14) is quite different as can be seen, but if the dimensions that count are the same, could someone have thought that they might just be suitable as spares? Again, just thinking out loud.....not a shred of evidence to support the notion, but the lack of front bases does seem quite a coincidence. Anybody any views on it?

[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.

[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.