X8E2 Unit Sight Variations?

[papermaker81]

So, I finally convinced a friend of mine to let me take a few photos of his X8E2 Unit Sight. This is the first one of these I have ever seen in the flesh and was quite excited to finally get my hands on one.

I was very surprised to see the markings on it, as they seem to be different than anything I've seen in The FAL Rifle or in anyone's photos on the internet, except that unit sight that was at auction a while ago. All those photos show the maker as R & J Beck optical company. This sight has a strange double W marking that I have not seen before on any other optical equipment. The reticle is very faded, but appears to only have the vertical spike, with no sign of the horizontal stadia lines.

Does anyone know who made this? This also got my curious to know if there are any other variations of these out there. This particular sight apparently came directly from Britain; I have a feeling most of the sights that have been published came from Canadian stocks, perhaps there is some correlation?

Finally seeing one of these in person really makes me want to find one for myself. Anyone have a spare lying around

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[Gloworm]

Check out fleabay , there is a reproduction on there

264783339432

[waco16]

So, I finally convinced a friend of mine to let me take a few photos of his X8E2 Unit Sight. This is the first one of these I have ever seen in the flesh and was quite excited to finally get my hands on one.

Does anyone know who made this? This also got my curious to know if there are any other variations of these out there. This particular sight apparently came directly from Britain; I have a feeling most of the sights that have been published came from Canadian stocks, perhaps there is some correlation?


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William Watson - one of the makers of the No32 scope used on the No4(T)

[papermaker81]

William Watson - one of the makers of the No32 scope used on the No4(T)

Thank you!

[nzl1a1collector]

The recital pattern looks familiar, I wonder where I've seen it before... or is that later?

[papermaker81]

The recital pattern looks familiar, I wonder where I've seen it before... or is that later?

Hard to get a good photo or even see it, but the reticle in this example sure doesn't appear to have the horizontal lines, only the vertical post. Time and humidity have not been kind to it...

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[nzl1a1collector]

Ive checked mine, but the reticle markings have vanished, they lines use to be there 12 years ago, although very faded. I think mine originally came from Canada.

[papermaker81]

I wonder if the horizontal lines are a lithographic process, instead of etched, and have sublimated off over the years?

Anyone have a Beck made sight or another that still has the lines?

[nzl1a1collector]

Maybe R&J Beck Supplied the 'sights' to the Trials rifles, but sourced the optic tubes from William Watson?

[papermaker81]

Well, at least this one that was at auction some time ago is marked RJ&B.

Maybe the lot of sights that were made for the EM1/2 were one manufacturer, and a supplemental quantity was purchased for the X8E2 program from another manufacturer?