L2A2 Suit - British or Izzy?

[Nick S]

Just bought a SUIT sight for my L1A1. It came with an Enfield top cover with the rear tabs, and has an L2A2 data plate on the side. But - it also has the metal band round the eye piece, the screw through the mounting lever and the extra spring underneath.

So - did Avimo ever sell any sights marked as L2A2, but with the extra bits fitted - or is it just an Izzy one that's been refinished and a L2A2 data plate fitted?

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[Peter Laidler]

I have seen one or two SUIT sights but can't identify yoirs from the description. Maybe a photo would help.............

[Nick S]

Here are some pictures. It's my understanding that the metal eye cup ring, locking screw on the latch, and the additional spring underneath are Izzy features?

[Peter Laidler]

Our eye cups were stuck on and not retained with a steel band. I don't recognise/remember the coil spring on the mount underneath either. The switch of ours was painted with a white marker too.

I'd say that it's an Israeli one, still made by Avimo (Alvis Motors if you're interested) but painted with a can of spray and a blank ID plate stuck on.

Any other comments Tankie..............

[Nick S]

Thats pretty much what I thought.

Another question though - Were the Izzy sights a later contract to Avimo? Presumably the changes were made to improve eye cup retention and the extra spring underneath to improve the sight/mount fit. If thats the case, I'm surprised the existing British sights weren't upgraded with the extra features...

[tankhunter]

Our eye cups were stuck on and not retained with a steel band. I don't recognise/remember the coil spring on the mount underneath either. The switch of ours was painted with a white marker too.

I'd say that it's an Israeli one, still made by Avimo (Alvis Motors if you're interested) but painted with a can of spray and a blank ID plate stuck on.

Any other comments Tankie..............

Pete, I would say that ALL SUIT sights were Ex Brit used by the Izzies. they just Improved the retention methods. You will recall no doubt, the HUNDEREDS of wibbily wobbley springs we have changed on these!
The Izzies adition of the extra coil spring would improve retention no end! Also the hole & a BA screw sdition would prevent acidental clipping of the catch & subsequent loss of the sight from the Top Cover.
The steel band is a good additon also. more positive than superglue!

[Peter Laidler]

There Nick, Tankie has answered the question! We did modify the wibbly-wobbly spring but the sights STILL fell off. Those Israeli mods must have helped. The steel band used to retain the ocular lens cup was a good idea. Avimo obviously learned from thes because they used a similar method to retain the eye caps to the L11 and L12 binoculars.

These SUIT sights were made for many many nations using L1A1's and other forms of FN's - and indeed, other rifle types. Avimo also made different top covers for other weaponry to take the sights. They were made under contract by PSMW of Swindon.

Personally, I didn't like the SUIT and much prefer the current (but not for long....., so keep it of you've got one -) SUSAT sight

[skiprat]

the metal fixing ring was used on Brit. SUIT sights when fitted with the type of eye piece in the photo,
but the later stright eye rubbers did not have them, these were glued on
these eye piece rubbers and fixings were latter used on the SAWES sights.

[Nick S]

Funnily enough, there's a SAWES sight on eBay at the moment!

[tankhunter]

There seems be a few of these turning up for sale on the Market lately! I guess the SAT Trainer has made them obsolete as far as the L85 is concerned!
Also a few of the bottom mounts for this sim's up for grabs as well!