Building a No4T or L42 replica - scope alternatives

[Peter Laidler]

Someone's pointed out that my advice above was maybe a bit hasty. I suppose that if you DID get the telescope and it was only missing the lead screws, you'd be quids in. But if it was missing the diaphragm, nut and cursor (as I suspect), then providing a pattern were available (I'm sure there would be, somewhere on the forum....) one of the forumers who was a toolmaker or even a good machinist could make them in a few hours. He could make 6 sets while he's at it and sell the rest for a kings ransom! Just like me making lenses.............

If it really WAS crap, then just put it back on the auction site!

Just food for more thought

[xa-coupe]

Try FirearmSales.com.au :: Firearms For Sale & Firearms Directory Search Results

They have an Aussie listing for a 4x Weaver for $100 and another listing for a No32 Mk1 for $1485

regards

Paul

Thanks paul. I do look there and have seen the original. The issue with the weaver is it doesn't have the straigh tube because of the larger objective lens. I want the look if not the 100% originality.
The issue I have with the original is not enough bikkies in the bikkie tin to pay for it

[newcastle]

I recall that one guy who frequent sthese pages has success with a Kalinka optic. can't remember the exact model (Rodger are you out there?) but it looked very much like a No.32 with a stright tube, and flared optical end and turrets in the right place to fit a replica No.4 T mount.

[viking guy]

Try an old Weaver El Paso,Tx blued steel tube. Correct length and with some age patina it looks just great. A Kollmorgen 4X is another fine choice. Very nice optics. Elevation and windage drums biased towards front of scope, reminiscent of the real deal N0 32.

[OxfordAndy]

Have you thought of a more modern solution? Maybe a Nightforce compact? Not cheap but nice glass.

[xa-coupe]

I have thought about a more modern solution .. but I would want the mount to make sure it would mount the way the old ones do, the turrets to the front of the front ring. I am being picky I know but I could put any old glass on if I didn't want the correct look.

[coolhandluke]

Weaver K1, K2.5, K3 and Kollmorgen 2 3/4 scopes are my favorite when it comes to affordable scopes for a sniper clone. The Weavers look especially good when they have the brass endcaps.

Weaver K1



Kolmorgen 2 3/4



I've seen a few people mention using the Russian PE / PEM scopes as well. There is a seller on eBay that sells new PE / PEM reproductions that are free of markings that would probably do a fairly good job looking the part and have better optics that a vintage scope. It also looks like he is willing to ship internationally.

Here is the link:

Soviet Russian Mosin Nagant 91/30 PE PEM sniper scope - eBay (item 370460143375 end time Dec-25-10 09:10:11 PST)

[xa-coupe]

Thanks to everyone for their ideas, a whole heap of options now. It's a matter of finding one at the right price and the right time.
Searching around shows me there are two different sorts of repro mounts, cast steel and machined steel. The originals look to be machines steel, is this correct?

[OxfordAndy]

I'm sure Peter will come on on this but I believe the original brackets were cast. Once they got to H&H some machining was done when fitting to the rifle.

[Peter Laidler]

H&H had to increase the cost regarding the brackets due to the fact that once they had virtually production-lined the conversion, they had to do a lot more machining of the brackets. Don't forget that it's not the telescope that is matched to the rifle (- well, it is...., sort of, afterwards....) it is the BRACKET that is matched to the rifle by a) fit and b) collimation.

But back to the subject, I am a firm believer that if anyone is contemplating a good look-a-like No4T, they should start with a BSA No4 and get a set of repro pads (cheap.....) professionally fitted by someone who has done a bit of reading and listens. This is so that HE does what YOU tell him. And I'd suggest that when this is being done, you get your pads set so that they fit your friends original/genuine bracket and telescope combination.

I know that you haven't got a telescope or bracket yet but ONE day, you might and when you do, there's a good chance that with a bit of fitting, you're ready to go.

If you can't do it this slightly more expensive way. Get a repro bracket (cheap), fit a borrowed but centralised (any mark type....) No32 to it. Then get the fitter to set up the pads and bracket so that the telescope aligns with the bore of the rifle. That way you've got the rifle and bracket, all collimated up, just waiting for a half decent scope to turn up.

But whatever you do, don't start by faffing around and drilling and fitting some rubbish old pads to the rifle because when you DO find a telescope and bracket, you've got to start again and buy another rifle to boot..........

Just my views