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    Contributing Member desperatedan's Avatar
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    REL no32 scope

    An REL MK1A No 32 scope has popped up for sale in Europe numbered 102C. It is marked with a date of 1945. Is it feasible that a MK1A could be dated so late?
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Advisory Panel Lee Enfield's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by desperatedan View Post
    An REL MK1A No 32 scope has popped up for sale in Europe numbered 102C. It is marked with a date of 1945. Is it feasible that a MK1A could be dated so late?
    No, the only scopes which should be dated 1945 are REL MkII and Mk3 scopes

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    Contributing Member desperatedan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lee Enfield View Post
    No, the only scopes which should be dated 1945 are REL MkII and Mk3 scopes
    Thanks. It's a strange one then as it doesn't look like a repro scope that's been "modified".

    From my research on here the markings seem to be in the style of the later Mk3 scopes, the "A" doesn't look like it has been added later (implying that it was made from new as a MkIA rather than an upgraded MkI?) and it has what looks like the correct part number. It also looks like it's missing it's anti-rotation peg. I've attached the vendors pictures below for info.

    Attachment 108426Attachment 108427Attachment 108428Attachment 108429Attachment 108430
    Last edited by desperatedan; 05-25-2020 at 04:05 AM.

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    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    Whoever massaged it wasn't able to shim the objective cell properly so that the drain hole lined up where it should be. Let's see her without her makeup on!

    If REL was using up leftovers in 1945 and if they were re-using serial numbers... but we have no info that they were, nor would there be any apparent reason for them to so.

    Some genuine parts maybe?
    Last edited by Surpmil; 05-25-2020 at 01:18 PM.
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    Advisory Panel stencollector's Avatar
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    In the Enfield section, I posted a bunch of data and reports from REL. On one of the reports is listed:
    Outstanding Contract Balances at Dec. 31, 1945". ....
    Telescopes Sighting Mod.E, Quantity - 350
    Conversion of 51--32 Mk. I Telescopes to 32 Mk. IA and Spare Parts, Quantity- Balance to be Cancelled


    So the conversions were happening right to the end of 1945. Perhaps a replacement tube during the conversion got the conversion date reflected on it.
    Last edited by stencollector; 05-25-2020 at 07:13 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by stencollector View Post
    In the Enfield section, I posted a bunch of data and reports from REL. On one of the reports is listed:
    Outstanding Contract Balances at Dec. 31, 1945". ....
    Telescopes Sighting Mod.E, Quantity - 350
    Conversion of 51--32 Mk. I Telescopes to 32 Mk. IA and Spare Parts, Quantity- Balance to be Cancelled


    So the conversions were happening right to the end of 1945. Perhaps a replacement tube during the conversion got the conversion date reflected on it.
    An REL MkIA is technically an "early" Britishicon MkII - According to PeterL - Early British MkII telescopes utilized the 1 MOA elevation turret, but retained the MkI anti backlash cursor spring system - The later British MkII (and all Canadianicon MkII telescopes) utilized the "twin hairpin" spring anti-backlash system.

    The Canadian Army didn't seem to consider the 50yard elevation adjustment system a handicap as it was utilized in the C.No.32Mk4 telescope...
    BSN from the Republic of Alberta

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    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by stencollector View Post
    In the Enfield section, I posted a bunch of data and reports from REL. On one of the reports is listed:
    Outstanding Contract Balances at Dec. 31, 1945". ....
    Telescopes Sighting Mod.E, Quantity - 350
    Conversion of 51--32 Mk. I Telescopes to 32 Mk. IA and Spare Parts, Quantity- Balance to be Cancelled


    So the conversions were happening right to the end of 1945. Perhaps a replacement tube during the conversion got the conversion date reflected on it.
    Thanks for clearing that up.

    "...balance to be cancelled" implying either that the conversion of more was anticipated, or that this was part of a contract for MkI scopes that was cancelled?
    Last edited by Surpmil; 05-27-2020 at 01:59 AM.
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    Advisory Panel stencollector's Avatar
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    If you go to that thread I started (it is in the stickies on the Enfield section) you will see in earlier reports that there were a number of them converted by the end of 44 I believe, and conversion went all through 1945. You may have to look at the attachments while also looking at the text I have posted in each post to determine the dates of the attachments. In hidsight, I should have just put one attachment for each post.

    To save the searching, I have added the link: https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=60046
    Last edited by stencollector; 05-27-2020 at 12:13 PM.

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