Union of South Africa marked Parker Hale 5A sight

[Kiwi]

I've recently aquired a cut down, mis-numbered, Union of South African marked No.1 MIII* 1918 BSA with a Parker Hale 5A sight attacted to it. The 5A sight has Union of South Africa markings on both the main plate and the elevation arm. Does anyone know if these markings on the sight were done at the Parker Hale factory or done in South Africa? The serial number on the sight is 4409 which is far higher than the normal 1-99 which I normally see on such sights?

Would this sight have been used for South African army shooting competions?

Information

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[Thunderbox]

The marks were probably done in South Africa. The SA armed forces seemed to be quite serious about target shooting, and they prepared a lot of SRb rifles ("Service Rifle B": fitted with target sights and allowed to use a target sling).

[Brian Dick]

I had 400 former South African owned No.4 rifles at one point starting in the mid 1990's and there were a few that had been seriously modified for target shooting so I have to echo Thunderbox's comment above. I think the P-H sights purchased for military target shooting were marked with the ownership mark upon arrival in South Africa as I've had several over the years. All were for the SMLE.

[Terrylee]

I still have one with S.A. military markings that I purchased at the local drill hall when I was very much younger! Mine is marked with an electric pencil, so I imagine that it was done locally.

[Kiwi]

I think the P-H sights purchased for military target shooting were marked with the ownership mark upon arrival in South Africa as I've had several over the years.

If the markings were done in South Africa, then would the normal absence of the AGP mark on the windage arm (where the U /I\ is located) suggest that the sights left the factory with future stamping in mind. The AGP Bisley Works stamp is present on the windage arm, its just on the opposite side to what is normally seen.

[RobD]

Brian, when you say (re: the target sights) "All were for the SMLE", could they have been for the Long Lee as well?
As you'll have noted, Long Lees in the SADF were generally re-barrelled in SA with good BSA barrels in the post-1910 years, when they were brought into an upgraded spec which served through WW1 in SWA and East Africa (and entered later into reserve stock): Basic MLE confiiguration (metford or Enfield bolt, with dust cover); fine notch rear sight - windage-adjustable; adjustable blade foresight, foresight protector - but no charger bridge. Many MLEs coming from SA in recent years have this spec - but often with the rear volleys missing (indicating possible target sight in that place?). Some come out still fitted with target sights. Hence my impression is that, in SA military target shooting was certainly a proud tradition, Long Lees were used for target shooting in preference to SMLEs...
Terry Lee will know more, he is the expert in this (as in many areas!)

[Brian Dick]

Kiwi, that's a good question. My uneducated guess would be that the sights may have been ordered in a batch and the marking was omitted.

RobD, All of the marked ones I've had/seen were 5A for the SMLE. I've had quite a few of the earlier No.9 and similar sights for the Long Lee as well as the fixing plates but don't recall seeing any with ownership marks. You can bet all of the available target sights were used by the South Africans in competition. I've had a few of the rifles you mention with post 1910 BSA barrels too including a CLLE. Some were commercial contract rifles too.