Telescope Sighting No. 32 Mk II

[Lance]

I have had a couple requests for pic's of the scope markings on the Mk II's, so here they are for all to enjoy.

Per the data and observations available makers and s/n range:

Kershaw Ltd. 8000-9599
HBM Co. 10220-11999
W. Watson 12000-14999
Kershaw Ltd 15000-16499
Vickers 1-565 (Mk 2/1)
REL 475-C – 650-C

Early Vickers Mk 2/1 scopes bear the OS1650A Mk II markings but are set up as Mk 2/1’s. I have yet to find a Vickers Mk II, if someone has one please speak up. I have also not yet found a converted Mk 2/1 fitted to a matching rifle, hopefully there are some out there to find one day.

Information

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[SpikeDD]

What a beautiful collection lance... Thanks for sharing!

[No4Mk1(T)]

A very nice collection you have there Lance! I never thought I'd feel inadequate having two No.4(T) rifles in my collection but logging in here has a way of making this happen.
Thanks for the great photos!

[Peter Laidler]

I have Watson 14825 manufactured as a Mk2 with a /1 engraved alongside the II. The 1650 is barred out and over engraved 1400GA. With matching rifle

Also have in my grubby little mitts another Mk2/1(W) waterproof spec Watson that is marked similarly but also engraved under the marking is BW-S 9-69. No rifle and bracket but came from a bunch of ex Indian scopes, presumably ex British Far Eastern stocks

[jmoore]

"BW-S" is decoded as?

[Roger Payne]

Thanks Lance, a nice selection. Perhaps you, Peter or one of the other knowledgeable collectors can scratch an itch I've had over the No32 serial numbering sequence for some years. None of us will ever see everything & must inevitably have huge gaps in our knowledge, but the number of No32's that have gone through my hands over the ears now is.....quite a few.....but I have never seen one serialled in the 12 or 13,000 range. They've always jumped from 11thousand-odd to 14thousand-odd. Have many people got scopes serialled 12thousand & something or thirteenthousand & something?
Peter, with the log you keep of the scopes you've worked on have there been many/any in this range? I had always presumed that I just never happened on one of these, but eventually you start to wonder.....could there be a gap in the s/n range?

ATB to one and all.

[Roger Payne]

PS & I'm guessing Peter but could BW-S be Base Workshops Singapore, by any chance?

ATB

[Roger Payne]

Lance,
Just did a quick inventory. Unfortunately being a technophobe I haven't yet mastered how to post pictures, but I just checked the serials of my Mk2's, FWIW.
9, 189, 296 --- UIC's. No 189 is built on a converted Mk1 tube with the Mk1 markings altered.
556-C 1944 REL
8884, 9172 1943 mfr.
11371 HBMCo
15934, 15940, 16015, 16192. All 1944 mfr.
Mk2/1 43 --- UIC mfr.

Have you had any in the 12K/13K range?

ATB

[Lance]

Greetings Roger

No I have never seen any in the 12-13K range and was just thinking about that when I did this posting. I wonder if Peter could look in his repair logs to see if he has ever had one run through. Plus maybe Peter could you take a pic or two of your Watson 2/1 with rifle so I can dream..... Roger, we also have to get you a camera or I will have to invite myself over!!

Missing 2000ish Mk II scopes would be very significant to the collecting world. Maybe the were assigned to a yet unknown company that got bombed out or never got off the ground??

It might also explain the 1944 dated Mk I scopes by Watson in the early 14,300 range and drastically decreasing the quantity of Watson Mk II's to less than 1000. I know I have seen very few Watson Mk II scopes and keep kicking myself for not picking up a '44 Watson Mk I on a '44 BSA a couple years back. (anyone got one they want to part with??)

I also have in my records that Kershaw Mk II 9335 is 1944 dated and with your 9172 being 1943 it narrows down the date change over to within 150ish. Plus scope # 9551 is a HBM Mk I that still is paired with its rifle that I was outbid on twice last years...damn it. I do not know if there was a contract s/n over lap in the 9500-600 range with Kershaw, anyone ever seen a Kershaw Mk II with a s/n higher that 9335?

[Roger Payne]

Lance,
Yep. I have had a couple of late Mk1's (44 dated by Watson), but foolishly let them go, thinking 'another one will always come along'.....but then sellers discovered fleabay....

The only consolation was one of them helped to get me my PPCo rifle so I guess it's swings & roundabouts...

Peter....any ideas on these 12-13K No32's??

ATB