Leather lens cover for 4t sniper

[snipershot1944]

Yes, that's it.

[Peter Laidler]

I would say that the ex No42/53 scope caps with the ring thing snipped off would be early 70's or so, after their actual scopes were obsolete. But once things trickle into the system as 'slow movers' they tended to stay around for ages so you'd still see them until the 80's or so. But to be honest, the average Armourer wouldn't differentiate between any of the various sorts.

[rayg]

I would say that the ex No42/53 scope caps with the ring thing snipped off would be early 70's or so, after their actual scopes were obsolete. But once things trickle into the system as 'slow movers' they tended to stay around for ages so you'd still see them until the 80's or so. But to be honest, the average Armourer wouldn't differentiate between any of the various sorts.

Peter, am I to assume that the No42 refers to 1942 dated caps and No.53 to 1953 dated. Sorry for being so un-knowledgeable, Ray

[Peter Laidler]

Er....., no! No42 means the No42 telescope and No53, the No53 telescopes that were tank co-axial telescopes optically identical to the No32. Someones's bound to ask me next why a telescope in a tank turret would need eye caps............ The only reason why the optical systems inside tank turrets have covers is due to the cordite and main charge fumes leaving a thick greasy smeary film on the lenses. Hence flaps/covers on the periscope/sights etc etc

[rayg]

Sorry still very confused, but what scope was the no.42 caps used for. I under stand the N0.53 caps were for the tank scope. Was the no. 42 the one used for the No.32 scopes? Ray

[henry r]

4 different types of scopes with the same sized caps:

no32 sniper rifle with adjustable post and bar reticle

no42 tank? fixed glass? reticle



no53 tank? fixed glass? reticle



just to confuse you there is also a no71 which is a no32 converted for use in a tank. fitted with a glass reticle




no53 reticle left no32 right. picture from Lee Enfield .303 - | 150 best links to everything Lee Enfield.



a good article on parts inter-changeability:
Milsurps Knowledge Library - No42 and No53 sights …. Have you ever thought? (by Peter Laidler))

[rayg]

Quote: Anyone have an idea if they are early or late war, Brit or Canadian, postwar, Indian? Quote:


Thank you, confusion cleared up after reading Peter's article you posted I understand now. No.42 & No.53 are not the cap pattern dates but the scopes they are for. Because of OP's posted question regarding dates, I was thinking in terms of dates not scope/patterns, I understand now. Ray

[Surpmil]

4 different types of scopes with the same sized caps:

no32 sniper rifle with adjustable post and bar reticle

no42 tank? fixed glass? reticle

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...o42scope-1.jpg

no53 tank? fixed glass? reticle

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1_563JPG-1.jpg

just to confuse you there is also a no71 which is a no32 converted for use in a tank. fitted with a glass reticle

https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....5&d=1438510377


no53 reticle left no32 right. picture from Lee Enfield .303 - | 150 best links to everything Lee Enfield.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hreticle-1.jpg

a good article on parts inter-changeability:
Milsurps Knowledge Library - No42 and No53 sights …. Have you ever thought? (by Peter Laidler))

I think that's a No71 reticule isn't it with the numbers 6 to 14? The No.53s I've seen had a four post reticule stepping down in thickness about halfway along each post and with an open center to the field of view.

[henry r]

my no.71 is different (i'll add a picture shortly).

i just went off how the original picture was captioned.

[Surpmil]

Thanks.

Interesting how they were able to fit an etched glass reticule to the No71, but not to the No32. There was a trial done in 1944/45 which recommended a modified reticule including a two-thickness crossbar or horizontal wire. The reason obviously was that in low light you can then find the heavier horizontal bar as easily as the vertical post and use the two to align on the target without actually seeing the tip of the post or the crosswire/horizontal bar, as you can with the German or No.8 reticule. Some of the WWI German scopes went one better and had a short vertical bar projecting down from the top of the field of view; to be used against the lighter skyline of course.