1949 no32 scope

[Wormald1995]

While I was having a gander at ebay, I came across this scope, bracket and scope tin.
The scope caught my attention as I haven't seen a scope dated 1949. Seller states it was from the Italian navy

Here's some of the item description:

Post WW2 (1949), Italian Navy, Lee Enfield N°32 MK III Scope, Reworked by: OFFICINE PANERAI FIRENZE;

In very good conditions (nearly new, please see pics), probably never mounted, for the Lee Enfield N° 4 MK I T (Telescope), - a sniper rifle -, of the lot of Enfields sold to the Italian Navy in post WW2 period (in the 1946 - 1951 period);


I looked through my reference books but I don't really see anything on Italian no4T's.
I am curious to hear what everyone's thoughts are on this scope setup

I will try and post pictures, if not I can link the ebay ad but wasn't sure if that would violate any group rules

[Roger Payne]

The Italians certainly did use & produce their own 4T's just after WW2. They get a mention on here occasionally. We have an Italian forummer who is quite knowledgeable of them.........hopefully he will chip in.

[Wormald1995]

Hopefully these pictures load

[scharfschutzen63]

It is not a mk3 judging from the offset turrets. It sure looks like a repro in the last picture.

[Wormald1995]

I noticed it's not a mk3 as well, I should have mentioned that while i was typing this up on my break.no markings on the scope tin. It just caught my attention because of the date of manufacturer. Curious to hear more opinions on it! My first thought was reproduction but I haven't seen these markings before so I don't want to assume anything

[Roger Payne]

Looks like a Mk2, with the fifty yard increments on the range drum. I am only speaking from memory but the markings look generally similar to the other few Italian scopes that I have seen. I'm not sure if they reworked British & Canadian scopes or made them from scratch themselves. The bracket looks real enough. It's a Rose Brothers example. The Dutch also made some beautiful No32 (Mk3 scopes) just after the war......

[Wormald1995]

Thanks for the information Peter. It's always appreciated

[Warren]

In my opinion, the scope is a replica, as is the mount.

[Roger Payne]

We could do with Giancarlo on this one......

[Giove]

Hi all.

The scope is original; an Italian copy of the british No. 32 Mk II. It's for the Italian L.E. sniper set-up for the Army, not the Navy, by "Fabbrica Armi" (Arms Factory) of Terni, a plant dependent on the Artillery Directorate.

The scope was made new in Italy in 1949. This scopes were made in the years 1949. 1950 and 1951.

Officine Panerai had nothing to do with it.

This scope was, originally, mounted on a Maltby S.N.: DC15008. The S.N. is a bit odd, but I don't think it's fake.

Regards. G.M.