What can you tell me?

[read6737]

What can you tell me about the 2 scopes below?

one is a
TEL SIG No55 Mk1.
OS 1074 GA
AK & S No 890
dated 1944.

the other is
ALDIS L132.
was this a WW1 scope?
was it a WW2 scope? of so was it fitted ti the SMLE? or the P14? or both.

Information

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[bradtx]

read6737, I can't find any info on the No.55, but suspect it was used as a sight for a cannon...possibly. Aldis did make WWI 'scopes, and maybe the L132. I've seen a pic of a 1940 dated L132.

Brad

[Surpmil]

Aldis is a commercial version of their WWI scopes, and inferior to them BTW.

Never heard of No55 before, though AK&S did make No53s with fairly low SNs I believe.

[read6737]

Interesting.
Is the ALDIS L132. a copy of the 1, 2, 3 or no4 pattern scope of ww1?
If it was after WW1 then I would have to guess a no4 pattern.
How different was the quality?

Regarding the no 55 the ''OS 1074 GA'' is not the same OS no as a 53 that being ''OS 1075 GA''. And the scope being No 890 is considered a low one?

[Surpmil]

My guess is they were using up left-over bits and pieces. I had one in VG shape and it was a fright: heavy, overly long, absolutely no attempt at weatherproofing, crude adjustments (inferior to the WWI types) and a lot of spherical distortion. Probably some of the lenses were from other types of instruments or were 'seconds' from war production. The knob had a wide groove in the side where the knurling would normally be, and a screw projecting its tip into this groove was all that kept the lead screw from winding right out of the reticule block! So when you 'changed direction' on the lead screw, it was a bit like a very worn machine tool where the feed screw nut allows you to free-wheel until it takes up the slack again!

A rather sad adieu from a company that built some quality kit.

And I think mine had the same PH rings as yours when I got it. Still have the rings at least, they're nicely made.

[Peter Laidler]

What graticle pattern does the No55 telescope have? That might be the answer.

The No42 and 53 have the etched plate interrupted crosshair or the wire N-S graticle. You all know the reason why. I just think that the No55 will/might have a No32 post and wire for another application

[read6737]

These are 2 scopes I have seen for sale.
The interest in the Aldis is because I am after a scope for my Mk111,
An original one or a copy is fine, I will source mounts after getting a scope.

Never seen or heard of a No 55 before, this is the one that is intriguing me the most.
I am trying to get more info and pics at the moment.
So when i have more I will post it.

[read6737]

I have now got more info on the scopes,
No date fore the Aldis.
Now the No 55 is .........not a 55 but a 53. they had a typo error....
So I feel a little.....sorry, and thanks for all your input so far.

He actually has 2 53 scopes they read

TEL STG No 53 mk 1.
One stamped O.S. 1075 GA
AK & S No 890
1944
Other O.S 1075 G.A.
R.S.A. 2563
with crows foot underneath.

Are some makers better than others?
are some more rare than others?
and the value? I would guess about up to 150 quid each judging the last ebay sales.

[Peter Laidler]

Get one of the No53's and use it to experiment with, making a No32. If all else fails, you've got a lot of good useful spare parts