REL no32 scope

[desperatedan]

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?

[Lee Enfield]

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

[desperatedan]

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.

[Surpmil]

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?

[stencollector]

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.

[Lee Enfield]

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" British 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 Canadian 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...

[Surpmil]

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?

[stencollector]

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