No.32 MkII with cross wires graticule not post & crosswire

[desperatedan]

I've an opportunity to acquire a 1944 dated No32 MkII scope which I was surprised to discover has a crosswire graticule rather it's original post and wire grat. Would this replacement have originated from a No.42 or No.53 scope perhaps?

Whilst the elevation drum appears to work, turning the deflection drum doesn't move the grat. Can the graticule be replaced with an orginal post/wire type if I were to get the scope refurbed? Just trying to balance up acquiring it & getting a full refurb vs passing on it. A pic the current grat is below.

Thanks, Kev

Information

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[Beerhunter]

I think that this scope's price should reflect its need to visit a certain ex-REME bloke. (Assuming that he thinks it is worth the visit.)

[Warren]

If the markings have not been changed to No.71 you are lucky...
I've converted a number of them back to No.32 and they all seem to come from "down under"
If I recall, they were converted from No.32 to No.71 and used on the Wombat or something similar.

[Peter Laidler]

The No71's were converted from Mk2's and 3's for the early Centurion co-ax machine guns.

Best try Fultons or someone like that if you want it repaired. And I'd take a few minutes to read a short article about thinking of buying a No32 telescope.

[desperatedan]

Many thanks Peter. I've got your books and have read the article. I did search and read as much as I could on the site first and posed my question as I couldn't find posts about anything similar. My main concern was whether an original style grat could still be sourced/made etc.

I'll give Fultons a call next week to discuss and try and get a better handle on the economics.

Warren thanks for the reply. It's still fully marked as a No.32, in what I believe is an original bracket (no markings other than small wd arrow on rear) and shows no external signs of a conversion. However part of the rear bracket around the mount has been filed away for some reason but the mounting face is still complete. Some more photos attached. Kevin

[Roger Payne]

It may well not be an official No71 conversion. I've lost count of the No32's of various marks that I've seen over the years with civvy replaced grats. Probably done in many cases just out of personal preference. As Warren intimated the No71 was usually marked as such.....a lucky break that yours isn't!

ATB.

[Warren]

I did find reference in my old handwritten notes to the 71 used on both the Wombat vehicle mount and ground mount, however nothing else.
If anyone has a mid 50's dated vocabulary of OS could they run the 71...just to update my records.

[Peter Laidler]

I am familiar with the Wombat vehicle mounts on Land Rovers and the 432's having worked on both. It was never designed to be fired from the back of the L-R as the immediate blast (not the back blast) would er......., 'create damage'! There were two auxiliary sights. The little M8C spotting rifle and the iron adjustable open sights plus the optical sight. And with crosshairs, how would you aim off for a moving target?

I think that this tele has been got at - as have soooooo many others - and hurriedly had the bent and straightened and then broken off in the process replaced by a crosswire system equally hurriedly stuck down with superglue.

The intersection of the cross would be too large at 300 yards to accurately identify the strike point you want. The turret ring between the boat or hull and the turret. Mind you, you'd be hard pressed to hit that with a Wombat anyway - or anything with a Wombat!!! Just my opinion based on nothing more that working on bloody wombats!