Sarco No32 Mk 1 Reproduction Scope

[lloydo]

I've recently obtained a reproduction No4 (T) built by TVG on a 1945 Longbranch. I'm impressed with the quality of the workanship that's gone into this rifle, which is set off nicely with a Sarco No32 Mk1 repro scope.

I read reviews of the other two suppliers of repro No32 scopes and went to see a couple of them that had been fitted, I was not impressed for various reasons. So I called Sarco in Pennsylvania and after confirming with them that they could (and had) delivered to the UK, I took a chance and ordered one of their No32 Ensemble products over the phone.

Two weeks later, Sarco emailed and said that the scope was ready, they had QC checked it themselves and only then did they charge my card. A further two weeks later and the package arrived, no problems.

The scope was fixed to a well made cast bracket with dimpled thumbscrews, the rings looked solid and the whole was firmly mounted in a very good quality riveted repro No8 sheet metal box, painted green with strong opening clips. Included was the adjustment tool mounted in it's own clips, a well made leather lens cover, drills, taps, screws and the all-important front and back pads.

The scope was engraved (in an original 1940's font) with the legend "Tel Stg & No 32 Mk I & 1941 & No 13*7). It felt heavy and solid, the optics were bright, achromatic and crystal clear. The horizontal and vertical wires were straight and were fixed inside the solid graticle mount turrets, which both moved with a satisfying click. My initial impression was very good, indeed it looked like the package could have been dropped on a parachute without damage. The only issue I had was that the top (elevation) drum yard markings were offset a little from the indicator - the windage was ok tho.

The scope was fitted by an ex-REME armourer who had worked on No4 (T) rifles when serving the colours. Everything was fine, except the rear pad was too thin and had to be packed out with a 30 thou shim to correctly align the centre of the rifle bore to the centre of the scope. The rifle itself had been de-greased, serviced, bedded, crowned & the furniture sanded down, cleaned and coated.

The rifle was zeroed as described in Mr Laidler's book. The adjustment tool worked well, the outer ring on the elevation was only just nipped up and once undone, the central post moved the graticle pointer smoothly. Once tightened up and taken to the range it grouped really well at 100 yards (about 1 1/2" using 3 shots) and the elevation graduations increased the range exactly as indicated. Several "V-Bulls" were scored at 600 yards, the rifle grouped better than I could shoot!

Overall, I'm impressed with the Sarco offering. I believe they have them made in Canada to order, but they check them over in Pennsylvania before dispatch. They told me that they sell a lot in Oz and in the UK.

I hope this first post of mine is interesting to the cognoscenti on these fora and I'm happy to answer any questions or even post a pic or three if I can work out how to do it!

Lastly, does anyone know what the differences are between the Mk I, Mk II and Mk III scopes? Which one was the best in service?

Regards

Lloydo

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Flying10uk]

Welcome to the forum lloydo. Posting pictures is not as difficult as it may first appear and this article by Badger may help you.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=28752

When you have done it a few times it will seem easy.

[lloydo]

Thanks to Flying10UK for help in posting these pics

[Flying10uk]

[quote=lloydo;409210]Lastly, does anyone know what the differences are between the Mk I, Mk II and Mk III scopes? Which one was the best in service?

I'm not sure if the answer to your question is here, but I believe that it has been raised before on the forum.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=42382

I am sure that others will be interested to hear how you get on with your repro scope because I believe that there have been issues with some of the other repros on offer.

[lloydo]

Thanks for the link, there was lots to read!

So far the Sarco scope is performing satisfactorily. I've sent about 60 rounds downrange starting at a zeroing range, followed by 100 yards, 300 yards and 600 yards. There have been no problems with recoil affecting the mounting or the scope, the rifle groups really well.

I was never going to be able to afford a genuine No4 T, or a genuine No 32 scope. As Peter Laidler says, the scopes are 70 years old now and I guess most of the serviceable ones are fitted and locked away in someones cabinet. So a reproduction rifle was the next best thing - my Longbranch was test fired before it was bought to prove it would group before it was worked on. I sourced the Sarco scope ensemble myself, delivered to my address in London it cost £600.

I see from their website they are now doing a No32 MkII scope on its own for $297

Server Error

[philb]

didn't you say you have peters book ??...tells you in there

[Strangely Brown]

Do these repro scopes retain the original 3.5X magnification?
I have heard mixed reports regarding this.

[CINDERS]

Only thing I would do with the pad screws is put Medium Loctite thread locker on them as you cannot stake them like the originals, just take one out at a time dab a bit on then place back in at the specified torque.
If you have a fatman torque wrench as every one should just keep upping the inch pounds till you get one undone that way you know what they are torqued to doing one at a time also your not going to have the top caps uneven in spacing do alternate sides they may not have moved with 60 rounds but at 2,500 may be a different story I have seen scope caps in comps come loose and it it devastating to the firer as all zeroing goes out the window. Looks a neat rig thanks for the share.

[lloydo]

Ah, I don't have Peter Laidler's book yet - someone sent me a scan of the pages dealing with zeroing. When the book arrives I'll look up the differences between the various types of No 32 scope - I've been told that the Mk 1 was the most rugged but had backlash when adjusting the elevation zero. Can't say that I've noticed it yet, myself

---------- Post added at 02:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:59 PM ----------

Mick - I think the Sarco scope retains the original 3.5X magnification. I think the optics are very good, I've got no problems with anything being out of focus

[tr63]

Can you give us any updates as how the scope is holding up ?