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Mmmmmm, interesting querie but they certainly DO exist. I have seven Watsons recorded between 12276 and 13980. Strangely, 13190 and 13980 are both Mk1's! There are Watson 14's by the bucketfull from 141xx to 149xx and the first of these, up to 144xx have plenty of Mk1's spread amongst them. The last Mk1 in that 14 batch is 146xx. They are scarce though because of the many thousands I have recorded that I have worked on in the past, it's made me realise that these are few and far between compared with the remainder.
What is strange, and prompted by these comments is that several of this 14xxx batch, including 14593 definately HAS been re-engraved over the earlier very light engraving because even though it's been phosphated and painted, you can still see some earlier markings including another serial number(?) under the not-quite-straight 14593.
As a matter of interest, on the UIC Mk2/1,s, the Mk3 drum type index plate was retained to the turret housing by cheeseheaded 8BA screws. The same (?) drums were held to the Mk3 turret by countersunk/self centreing screws.
I can see this thread taking off somehow.................
Last edited by Peter Laidler; 10-18-2009 at 10:42 AM.
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10-18-2009 10:39 AM
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Just checked my 2/1, never noticed, learned a lot today!! Thanks
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Well there you go.....they DO exist, but there doesn't seem to be many of them does there? I wonder why?
Peter, presumably the cheese head screws on the 2/1 would be a follow on from the Mk2.....?
ATB
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Sorry last comment on last post sounds daft.....what I meant was it would presumably be explicable because they used the same index plates on the 2/1 as on the Mk2 ???.......but they were then modified to countersunk holes for the Mk3.
ATB
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On the subject of UIC, indicating United Instruments, it was a joint group of small independent instrument companies that usually worked as small-time sub contractors for the big TTH's, CTS's etc etc around the Country. A bit like Houghton Butcher, that came together for the war but UIC was 'controlled/directed' by the giant Vickers company. The Vickers archivist told me recently that the reason UIC didn't succeed as did HBM, was was that it encompassed so many small firms that each thought that they were missing out a bit on their chunk of the work. HC Ryland or HCR (of Scout Reg Telescope fame...., or infamy due to the fact that nothing in their telescopes was ever interchangeable, even among their OWN stuff!) were one of the small companies..... So they went their separate ways, touting for any instrument business that they could get........ Several of them can be seen today as the odds and sods companies whose initials and logos can be seen on the simple No 42 and 53 telescopes. HHS was one such company who were part of UIC and who also made lenses for CTS. Anyone know of any of the others. All long gone now
There, another little bit of not-quite Lee Enfield history that you never knew until now!
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UIC index plates, made for production Mk2/1 telescopes have cheeseheaded/bored screw holes
Mk3 standardised index plates are identical in silhouette but have countersunk screw holes. Reason given below
It's getting technical now - but you CAN use a Mk3 index plate to repair a needy Mk1 or 2 range or deflection drum providing you use a .035" (I seem to remember) spacer/washer between the plate and the drum head shaft. From this you will realise that Mk1 and 2 index plates are NOT interchangable with the Mk2/1 and Mk3
It is this very querie that lead me to the answer above concerning UIC. Because the CT&S/Vickers drawing of the Mk3 index plate shows it having been drawn by UIC and having cheeseheaded/bored retaining screw holes! Confirming the CT&S, Vickers and UIC connection!
The REASON why the UIC Mk3 type index plate was recessed for cheeseheaded screws was in order to be able to centralise the deflection lead screw shaft over the screwhole in the deflection cursor (it's getting anorakish now.....). Not necessary with the cheaper and simpler production Mk3 because in the Mk3, the lead screw screwed a nut up or down onto a spring loaded graticle block. Simple.............. Phew!
Last edited by Peter Laidler; 10-18-2009 at 12:38 PM.
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You must be blessed with a gift for teaching because I actually managed to follow it!
ATB
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It's years of writing EMER's. Any wiggle room was frowned upon too - as were words like 'gently swage' or 'tighten until tight' or 'a degree of loosness is acceptable'. Correcting others work was also a minefield too as any of you teachers will appreciate!
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Hi All,
I saw this thread just now and thought I would add some pics of my No 32 Telescope: Serial No. 13998, Manufacturer W. Watson, 1943. Can one trace the history of this scope, for instance where it did service, if any, and how it ended up in South Africa?
Attachment 21796
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