1916 Aldis Scope - Focus Ring Screw & Elevation Dial Screw

[hatrick]

I just picked up a pair of 1916 Aldis scopes and one of them has the wrong focus ring screw and the the elevation dial screw is snapped of. If anyone has either one of these screws or knows where I may be able to get them it would be greatly appreciated.





Best regards,
Eric

Information

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[Surpmil]

What makes you think it is the "wrong" screw?

If the thread is irreparably damaged you would be best to replace the shank rather than the whole locking screw; you'll notice the unusual knurling that will be very difficult to duplicate. Remember the thread it will be some kind of British thread pattern: Whitworth, BSF, BA etc.

They all look quite original to me, and the wear is probably in the brass female thread, so if the male thread is undamaged you might tin the female thread and retap the hole. Unfortunately, getting the brass turret hot enough for the solder to flow is probably going to discolour it so you might be best to let sleeping dogs lie, or just wrap the male thread in a bit of metal foil, perhaps super-glued on, and pushed into the threads by rolling it between to pieces of reasonably soft wood while the glue is wet. You could also tin the male thread I suppose, if you get it hot enough for the solder to flow well. Make sure you clean the male threads properly first against a very fine wire wheel. That would be my approach anyway.

[hatrick]

The pictures I posted are of the screws I am looking to find. The focus ring screw on the scope I have is a standard dome head screw so I know that is not original and the elevation dial screw is basically missing. I can see a bit of it left inside the housing so it must have snapped off. I posted the pictures so everyone knows what I need. Hopefully someone has a trashed Aldis they can part out.

Thanks,
Eric

[Surpmil]

I see, since you showed two scopes and didn't specify it seemed logical that those were the two you had obtained.

Photos of what you have would be interesting.

[Peter Laidler]

Those two parts are absolute simplicity to make on a simple lathe - even down to the knurling pattern. Will take approx 15 minutes each The threads are BA. But while you're there, make 5 sets of each and sell them on to other needy people.

[Roger Payne]

I did have a look for you hatrick but I'm afraid I don't have any of either of those parts that are spare - just the ones in my scopes! What Peter has said is true; in fact one of my pals made a few of the range drum locking screws a few years ago. Not sure if he has any left, but I'll ask him for you.

[30Three]

You could ask Scott Stonehill at customscrewsandmore.com
They are in the USA.
He makes one off screws for fitting match sights etc for Enfield's. He was very helpful when I ordered some fittings.
Seeing as you have original parts to copy, should be fairly straight forward.

[hatrick]

Thanks for all the posts and information... sorry I haven't replied sooner... been a crazy week. For starters, here are some pics of my two scopes. Any information on them would be greatly appreciated. It's odd that the one that is complete and Holland & Holland marked as well as being numbered and Broad Arrow stamped has a number of empty holes in the front part of the tube. The other one although similarly marked on the ocular bell is definitely a slightly different model. I guess I'll have to look into having someone make those two screws. Thanks to Roger for the info on the Purdey mounts as well. Hopefully I can find a machinist to make some reproductions of those.

[Surpmil]

That's quite a find. The top one is a Purdey, the other is obvious.

The double markings on the range dial of the H&H scope I have never seen before; doesn't look like it would be military unless on a .22 trainer. 200 yards is just too short a distance. The dial looks to have had the original markings turned off; it's a bit lower than standard. Perhaps the scope was marked so that it could be used on two different sporting rifles? Sometimes that was done when scopes were rare and expensive.

Roger, Hugh...?

Nor have I ever seen a brass ring around(?) the scope tube like that. It appears to be of the same vintage too. The traces of the original H&H rear ring can be seen on either side of that brass ring I believe, so perhaps it was put on to cover up some damage incurred when the original rings were removed? Quite unique!

[Roger Payne]

Actually I've just found time to have more than a cursory look at the scopes (apols). They are both nice. The H&H marked scope was modified by the looks of things by the addition of a lateral adjustment prism at the front end - likely after it saw service with H&H mounts, as these mounts incorporate lateral adjustments on the rings. The holes in the tube of the H&H marked scope may be from when the H&H mounts were fitted, as they were pinned through the tube as well as soft soldered (seems rather overkill, but there we are). Concerning the full circumferential ring on the one scope - I think this may be a variation seen on some scopes. One of my H&H scopes also has one exactly the same. I think (hazy memory) that I've seen one or two other scopes with dual range grads - though as you say, almost certainly representing the instrument's post military service history.

Incidentally, my pal used all of his Aldis range drum locking screws, but he's going to make a few more shortly. I'm off to the battlefields for most of next week, but if you want to rattle my cage in ten days or so hatrick, I'll rattle his & we can see what falls out.......

ATB