No4 MKT question

[JHC II]

I have seen many No4 MK T scopes have two hand painted letters on the scopes, mine included? On a rifle such as mine a H&H conversion which is stamped and cartouched galore I wonder why the paint. Still have not fired the rifle himming and hawing over a refurb job. Anyhow have a great night.

Information

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[Badger]

Are you referring to the letters W and B which appear on many No.32 Mk 3 scopes?

If so, then the W means the scope has had waterproofing applied and the B means the lenses have ben coated to help with light blooming.

Here's an excellent book that you can get from Murray Militaria, that covers a LOT of history, detail and technical information on the No.32 scopes.

"AN ARMOURER'S PERSPECTIVE: .303 NO. 4 (T) SNIPER RIFLE AND THE HOLLAND & HOLLAND CONNECTION" by Peter Laidler and Ian Skennerton.

Hope this helps....

Regards,
Badger

[JHC II]

Morning Doug,
Thanks for the info my eyes are getting old I have the book but am wondering where that info is in the book. Bought the rifle did not know what all the stamps were and then bought the book just to find out the rifle was a H&H. Anyhow it is an excellant book, better read it cover to cover again. I also have the inside view of the scope, any other good reading out there on the No4 MKT?

[Badger]

Is this the other book you have that you're referring to?


Click PIC to ENLARGE

Regards,
Badger

[JHC II]

dry reading but a good book

[Badger]

dry reading but a good book

You know, I've looked in both those books and I can't find where the "letter" references are. I know that's what they mean, but now you've got me stumped as to why I know that ...

Maybe it was in Skennerton's Enfield book, but now you're going to have me going through everything until I find it.

Regards,
Badger

[303sniper]

Hi JHC II and Badger,

Ian explained the B & W mark in his book : The British Sniper, Britsh & Commenwealth, Sniping & Equipments 1915-1983, on page 127.

[bearhunter]

In Strattons book, it also mentions that not all the scopes had the W and B, the scopes that failed the Waterproof test, were only marked with a B, and were issued in dry climates, such as the African desert.
Mine only has the B. Its a 1946 Mklll.
The Indian No4T with the MKL scope doesn't have any painted markings. I wish this rifle could tell me its story, it seems that the Indian army picke up the vast majority of the rifles with the MKL scopes and refurbed them nonstop with little regard to matching up numbers and made up many replacement parts includeing mounts and chests (1/2 inch shorter than the Brit No 15 chest). bearhunter