Converting a 1943 R.E.L Canadian № 42 into a № 32 Mk1

[Scout Sniper]

I have created a new thread for this conversion so it will be easy to find if anybody wants the inspiration to do a similar project. I hope that's ok...

So I have decided to convert my 1943 R.E.L Canada No42 Mk1 into a No32 Mk1. R.E.L No32s are super rare and to find a year to match my rifle impossible.

Just want to point out I have a 1943 Long Branch I have done a conversion on, it is deactivated. I collect so would like this to display, another reason I'm not trying to get a real R.E.L No32 is they belong on the real rifles and not just on display. It's a waste.

So I have my previousy unloved No42 that I re-blued. I have fitted a post and rail as discussed in my other thread.

I was extremely lucky to have got my hands on a really nice reproduction sunshade and a complete Mk1 style turret assembly.

The turret casting needs a little work like drilling and tapping the 8 x 8BA holes for the index plates. Drilling and tapping the 4BA location pin hole aswell as turning down a 4BA cheesehead to make the pin.

The turret casting also needs skimming internally to slide over the 42s larger tube. I have already machined the mount to take the scope as I want to keep the all important markings. As you can see this really will look the business! Other than the No42 engraving which will let anybody know it's not a genuine piece.

I have blackened the sunshade to match the front shade and just gave the turret wheels the same treatment. I have also done white infils which I will darken off and weather.

I realise this project won't be everybody's cup of tea and I understand that but this is a cheap and easy way I get what I want. I'm having fun with it and I share the same passion and interest in these old rifles as all of you. I'm just approaching it from a different angle.

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[rgg_7]

Where did you source the turret casting and associated parts? Great project. Ron

[Scout Sniper]

Thanks...

The place I sourced the parts has asked me not to disclose sadly. The parts I have are from the scrap bin and will take a fair amount of work to make fit and work smooth.

[Roger Payne]

I wouldn't press you to break a confidence, but that doesn't look like a turret assembly from one of the readily available Far Eastern offerings, & neither is it genuine WW2 product, so somebody is tooling up....or at least looking at the feasibility of doing a run.

Many years ago there was a London based dealer (I think he is now based in Oxfordshire) who acquired a large quantity of No42 scopes with the intention of converting them all to No32's in the way that scout sniper is doing as a one-off. I spoke with him about it on several occasions, but could never really see the point, because by the time all of the work was done, & brackets, cheekpieces, & body pads provided, the cost of the 'kits' would have been not a great deal less than originals. And no matter whatever you do, a made up kit will never be an original. I don't say this in criticism of scout sniper, as he is doing this as a one-off for the hell of it, but if someone is anticipating converting No42's or 53's No32's on a commercial scale I hope they've done their homework on the market.

[Scout Sniper]

Its definitely decent quality stuff, the casting is flawless and the wheels are nicely done.

Everything is raw so I have my work cut out to make it blend in with the scope in its current form. Luckily the scope is in great condition so making it all match will be fairly easy.

[scharfschutzen63]

There are a number of different companies reproducing these scopes. Spinning off a few extra parts is most likely what is happening. The parts look like recent production to me.

[Scout Sniper]

Worked on the main casting today to allow fitment over the scope tube. Took a lot longer than I was expecting but it had to be perfect.

I tried to clamp it up in 4 jaw chuck but couldn't hold it good enough and no way was I risking it slipping and making a mess of it. I did it by hand with a Dremel, I had a lot more control and removed material very slowly. The fit is tight but enough it can slide it on without scratching the tube.

The brass plate in front of the scope was a test piece I did to try the enamel finish. 2 coats painted by hand then rub back with wire wool. Just the look im after, so ive painted the first coat on the index plates and turret casting.

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[Peter Laidler]

Given that the No42/53 scope tube is a larger diameter than the No32, have you machined the No42 tube down to 1" dia to accept the new turret? What about the gun turret mount locator that is part of the No42 tube? Did you ever consider casting the new turret directly onto the tube? It's certainly a better method because then, you're working from a KNOWN datum, that is the mechanical and optical centre line of the tube.

It looks like a good start but the real trial comes with the azimuth cursor and the inner tube. The inner tube can be converted from certain types of No42/53 inner tubes. I note that we can't see the clicker spring housings. Are they standard?

[Scout Sniper]

Hello Peter,

I opted to keep the original tube diameter and open up the casting. My rifle is deactivated so I'm going to make it a dummy turret. Too much work for a scope that won't be tracking lead down the range.

Having said that, yes it has clicker plates and plungers and the turrets will click when turned as they should. On the surface the only obvious give away I hope is the No42 engraving. I did have the opportunity to buy all the parts for a full conversion but thought it too much work for essential no real reason.

[MJ1]

This is getting interesting.