Priscopic Prism Company Scope and Mounts.

[Roger Payne]

DPL,
Do you know of a source of supply for suitable Canada Balsam in the UK (I know there are more modern alternatives now, but CB is far more forgiving than the newer options)?

ATB

[Brian Dick]

A note of advice for you do it yourselfers: Peter has repaired almost 250 scopes sent from my shop in the past 18 years not too mention countless ones while in the British Army. Some of the piles of crap I've sent including one that's on it's way back now wouldn't have made good fishing sinkers in the condition sent. The prices he charges for this rare service is peanuts or what I call "charity work". Be advised that he knows just a little bit about this stuff and y'all might want to take heed of his advice. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, (USA and anyone else who cares to celebrate). Brian

[Peter Laidler]

Thanks for those kind words Brian. It's not well known, but I don't actually enjoy doing them, I just do them for pocket money and the fact that I'd rather see them being out there being used. I can safely say that I don't ever remember bodging a job (unless it's on my sons car - which he always seems to want fixed by yesterday when it's outside in the rain or drizzle.....) But what I do want to do, is pass on the knowledge, detailed info, experience, know how and the hundred other hard learned bits and pieces. And all the time, doing so without the crap. I mean, as someone else has just mentioned sooooo accurately in a PM. 'Just how long can you keep using your 80 year old cooking oil before it spoils the chips...........?' I don't know the chemistry of it, but it does more accurately describe what I'm droning on about

[Brian Dick]

Well, you know I've sent every No.32 or L1A1 scope plus a few PP Co. and others I've had through here except for a very few whether I thought they needed work or not. That way when someone purchased one of my rifles, they were always ready to go to the range. With your treasured long distance Armourer's course on the rifles and willingness to service the scopes, I think folks who've bought No.4T's and L42's from me over they years have gotten better than good value. Think about the 30 or so L42's I imported back in 2000. They were the last available in quantity anywhere and no one wanted them. I broke the bank to buy them all and without your help, many were unserviceable. Your help is always much appreciated! Keep up the good work.

[Surpmil]

This piqued my curiosity and I found this information on Canada Balsam: Canada balsam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It seems Xylene can be used as a solvent for CB.

I see it's used in Buckley's cough syrup too. I wonder what solvent they use to manipulate it!?

[Peter Laidler]

We're going off at a tangent here Surpmil... Xylene ain't CB and it never will even be a substitute for it. It is one of the hundreds of thinning or solvents that can be used. All it's doing is thinning the already separated, old, skinned paint down. And when it's evaporated in 6 months, because it hasn't been mixed properly and allowed to de-gas, just as you all did in your school chemistry and bbasic biology lessons, guess what'll happen............

Best shot is to go and get some new paint!

[Surpmil]

I'm not arguing with your diagnosis Peter, just posting what I saw as most of it was news to me.

Regardless, kudos to the OP for trying and at least it's better than it was, if only for a while, and no harm done.

Incidentally, the one or two PPCo.s I took apart had no sealant around the eye lens retaining ring, have you ever found any there? I'm just wondering what would make that ring so hard to undo.

A suggestion for the OP: find a really tough piece of wood and turn a shallow hole in one end just a bit bigger than the retaining ring with a bottom corner that is bevelled or rounded, not square. Get a strong but thin piece of leather and drape it over the hole, push the ocular housing down into the hole over the leather, (pig skin or something non-slippery is best), grasp the leather over the wood in one hand (securing both together) and the ocular housing in the other and you may be able to turn out the ring. Make sure you're going in the right direction, and whatever you do, don't grasp the scope tube, only the housing. A bit of heat first wouldn't hurt.

What say you Peter, is there better way?

[martelazzo]

[QUOTE=Roger Payne;239477]I do reproductions & I'm currently waiting for the next batch to come in. I am also located in Sutton Coldfield just a stone's throw from you. Suggest you pm me if interested to take it further.
The serial engraved on the top of the mount is the rifle serial. The two large holes at each end of the flat are I am afraid post-War additions, but not a major pronblem. You are lacking the spacer & tensioning spring that fits along the one edge of the dovetail (where the two small screw holes are), but again, these can easily be made from a piece of spring steel.

You have a nice find Paul.

Hi Mr. Payne, Do you have PPCo. scope mount and bases to sell? Thanks.-

[Roger Payne]

Hi Martelazzo. Drop me a PM & I'll have a look in the meantime. I had a few that came & went but am currently awaiting some more that are being made at the moment (both bases & rings), but I'll have a rummage about & see if I have anything left currently.

Best.

Roger.