ww1 sniper scope made by Periscope Prism Company Ltd London

[Roger Payne]

Hello Andrew,
Welcome to the forum. I sounds like you have a Periscopic Prism Co scope of 1915/16 vintage that would almost certainly originally have been fitted in an offset dovetail type side mount on a Mk3 or Mk3* SMLE. All of the SMLE snipers were ordered to be stripped down for salvageable parts just after WW1 & most scopes were sold off as surplus (though a few (mainly Aldis types) were kept against future need). Consequently original rifles are virtually unobtainable, & whilst commoner, even scopes are quite scarce & sought after by people like me! If the scope bears its original rings it will have considerably greater value than if not, but even a 'ringless' scope is of some value.

Nobody can tell you what you should do with this item. I would always give it a home, but I am a collector of WW1 sniping equipment. In your case I think it must come down to whether the scope has any sentimental value to you, with it being a family heirloom of sorts. If it does, then I'd keep it. However, if it means little to you & you would prefer to buy yourself a new rifle (or whatever) with what the scope would bring if you sold it........then perhaps that is the way to go.
If you are purely concerned with maximising what you get then I guess 'that internet auction site' (!!) is the place to put it on.
As an idea of value, I bought an example of exactly this type of scope last week. It was complete with rings, but had one of the little capstans missing & a few other issues that needed sorting out (though nothing too serious - it's with my scope repairer now). I paid a little over 600 pounds (UK) for it. But bear in mind it had its original rings on it which makes a considerable difference to the price.

I hope this helps.

ATB.