Repro No32's....I think they've arrived....

[Roger Payne]

Just this evening got back from what is billed as Europe's biggest Arms Fair in Belgium. Plenty of nice kit there, but at ebay plus prices. One thing I did take a cursory look at was a dud looking No4 T at 2,650 Euros. It was as wrong as a nine bob note, but what I wasn't expecting was to find that the scope was a copy. I know they have been talked about for some time, & I guess it was only a matter of time till someone brought it to reality, but the No32 on this rifle (BSA 1943) was not genuine.

Regrettably I did not have a camera with me & my look was limited as I think the owner may have been starting to feel a little awkward; but for the benefit of other forummers:
The scope appeared to be a Mk2, complete with eye shade.
It was nicely blued & optics were fair.
It was marked up as a Kershaw Mk3 yet dated 1943, & bore a totally incorrect four digit serial number something like 3013 or similar.
The R&D turrets were cast with edges so sharp they were pretty obviously not authentic.

I have no idea where it was made & by whom, but I mention it here as now we've seen one (unless it was made as a one-off by an eccentric genius), others will inevitably start to appear. To anyone who knows even a little about No32's I think it would be easily spotted, & indeed basic knowledge on serial number & Mark ranges gleaned from Peter's books would alert people. However, it perhaps bodes well for bidders on scopes entered onto ebay & other auction sites to insist on some nice clear photo's of markings.

There you go!

ATB

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