Scope mount help

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

As my eyesight isn't what it used to be, I felt the need to mount a scope so I could actually shoot this thing. I'm not sure why, but the scope sits about 1/8" to the right of centerline. The mount is a "Williams" brand said to be for an Enfield and that's all I know about it. Is there a shim that I'm missing or have I just drilled the holes a bit too high?

Attachment 61531Attachment 61530

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.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Well, I guess the old put-the-scope-on-with-tape trick fooled no one. I'll try harder next year.

[browningautorifle]

What kind of screws are those holding the base to the receiver? I bet they had in mind to mount it on the #1mk3 or #4 or #5... Not that one.

[englishman_ca]

Undersize (to allow rail position adjustment) self tapping sheet metal screws into untapped holes work well.

Once lined up, things can be firmed up nicely with a tack weld or two (use a mig welder to avoid unsightly weld spatter on the finish).

The MLE/MLE is a nice base gun to work on as there is no need to remove the charger bridge to mount the rail.

Too heavy for a sporter though, a bit too much unnecessary wood up front and the barrel is way too long, easy fix though, takes only 15 min with no need to dismantle the gun.





Ya, you got me, I almost had a kitten when I saw the pics.

[Aussie48]

Looks very much like a mount for a NO 4/5

[Eggy]

and your scope is mounted arse about ***

[browningautorifle]

The elevation drum and windage drum should take a rotation to the right...that's all he meant.

[harlton]

Hi,
Nice Rifle, I've one very similar myself, and you see so few fitted with scopes. I've read and seen a couple of picture's of one in searches, and read I've in Skeenerton's, he mentions some of these rifles being used as sniping rifles? during WW1 ? I think. I wonder what the mount for a rifle like this, would have looked like back then, Read differing things.
I have a nice period Goerz 4x scope, and I've read it was popular to fit them on using German style adjustable claw type mounts, then adapted.
I'm bit unsure how, I can think of a few different methods, but I want something that looks right, for the period, and offset I think as most are, seems right.
My rifle has been modified at some point, and looks very similar, about an 1 inch has gone off the barrel and sight modified nicely, with great rifling still.
So I don't mind modifying it a bit further, as long as I'm doing it right, to finish up with something that would have fitted right, in the early part of the first war.
Sorry if this is to far off topic, I'll happily move it, or just feel free to do so, Just that rifles looks very similar, and you don't see these with scopes fitted very often. Thanks for any responses, they'll be much appreciated. I'm looking to shoot paper only with mine, not a hunting rifle.

[RobD]

Harlton, a repro SMLE sniper is certainly do-able. You might consider to purchase a repro mount from Roger Payne [often on this forum] and of course Roger will advise you on suitable scopes to look out for. That way, you will have a good replica of a WW1 SMLE sniper, which will be a joy to shoot and look at, and will appreciate in value as a classic.

[harlton]

Hi RobD,
Thanks for your response, but that's not what I'm really after. I'm interested in the forerunners maybe, as I've only ever seen one done, I'm not really sure what they did then, but it is mentioned they used quite a few German scopes and mounts, then modified those to fit the Enfield and Ross rifles somehow, It's the transition mount part, I'm interested in.
The same as the Capture scopes they talk about using, how did they get stuck onto the rifles, would they have been made to fit on using an existing scope mount, with what what was to hand, or would this of been sent off somewhere? Just kind of thinking out-loud here, and fishing for idea's as I have read bit's here and there, but searches for pictures haven't returned much success.
I have a nice Gerard scope with mounts on it, with a clip installed to hold it in place on a rail indent, I could make up the rail and screw that onto an A5 type scope mount, anyone think that's something that sounds likely, or ridiculous.
I have an engineering background, and a shop, but no idea how the military works, thinks or would have worked, as I've never been exposed. I have two rifles, and 3 scopes, I'd like to stick the parts together and enjoy shooting them. No bags of money invested, and I need to keep it that way, on a fixed income, and the books I'm reading nearly all talk about using their own rifles, or borrowing, something that's been made up anyway. Seems like all kinds of stuff was in our trenches at he start, until late War including elephant guns. Interesting period.