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1939 Original Lee Enfield No.32 Mk III/MK 3 Sniper |
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kdweste 
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Joined: July 07 2024 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 29 |
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 Topic: 1939 Original Lee Enfield No.32 Mk III/MK 3 SniperPosted: July 07 2024 at 11:44am |
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Title of the Sale: 1939 Original Lee Enfield No.32 Mk III/MK 3 Sniper Scope he!!o, I just signed up, hope everyone is doing well.
I recently acquired a scope for my Savage No.4 Mk1 after a search that lasted nearly 15 years. What initially drew my attention was the date, 1939. However, I was under the impression that the No.32 scope was introduced in 1942. Regardless, I am thrilled to finally own it and am eager to learn more about its history. If anyone can help me clear things up, it would be much appreciated. The photos I included are screenshots from the sale. Here are some of the identification numbers associated with the scope:
Additionally, the scope comes with a case labeled "L1A1," which I believe is not the original case.I'm getting a lot of mix information.
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shiloh
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Posted: July 07 2024 at 7:25pm |
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I would think the case belongs with the scope, L1a1 rifles are post WW2, as evident with the Nato stock number 1240-99-903-203. Now you need to find rifle No AN2129
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britrifles
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 4:03am |
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1939 seems early for a No. 32 scope.
Scope L1A1 was a conversion of the No. 32 for use on the L42A1 rifle, a conversion of the No. 4 Mk I (T) to caliber 7.62. The range drum is calibrated for the 7.62 NATO ball cartridge fired from the L42 27.6 inch barrel to 1000 meters. Your scope appears to be a L1A1 per the markings on the tube. For reference, my AK&S No. 32 Mk 3 scope dated 1945 is SN 17404. Also, Rifle SN AN 2129 would be a 1943 BSA Shirley No. 4 Mk I, before changing over to the five digit serial number format with the first number being a "3" for BSA. |
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kdweste
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 7:02am |
 Does this help?
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britrifles
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 7:56am |
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The scope bracket body and two caps are stamped with matching numbers so they don't get inadvertently interchanged or turned around after removing them. There should be a different number on the other cap, usually in sequence (176/177 or 177/178).
The cap screws should be staked in place, usually with a small punch marking. Mine has three of them, indicating that the scope had been removed from the bracket twice.
Where does it show the scope was made in 1939? I don't think these were designed until 1940, but I may be wrong on that. |
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kdweste
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 7:56am |
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I just want to make sure; this scope is not compatible with an original 1943 Savage/Enfield .303? If is not, I can still cancel the order.
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kdweste
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 8:45am |
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My understanding is that No.32 came out in 1942.
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terrylee
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 9:12am |
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Only Mk III scopes were converted into L1A1s for the L42A1 Sniper Rifle and the Mk III was only approved in October,1944.
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britrifles
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 10:25am |
Since the scope has been converted for the L42 7.62mm sniper rifle (it is a No. 32 Mk 3 scope converted to a L1A1 Scope), strictly speaking the answer is no. Range index marks will not regulate to the flatter 7.62 bullet trajectory. However, it could still "work" if your lucky in how it aligns to the bore of the rifle when installed. The Savage T's did not have scopes fitted, and therefore, the pads were not hand fitted so the bore and scope center would "culminate" (properly align such that the full elevation and windage adjustments can be made and the bullet impact tracks vertically thru the elevation range of adjustment with no lateral change in impact). You might get lucky, and you will be able to "zero" the rifle within the range of adjustment of the windage and elevation drums (which are 1 MOA click adjustable). But, it's also possible it will not zero in windage, elevation or both axis even with the drums turned to the limit of travel. This has nothing to do with it being a L1A1 scope, it's just the chance you take when installing either a No. 32 or L1A1 scope that was not fitted to this particular rifle (that's why the scope has the rifle serial number identified on it, because it was fitted to that rifle). |
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Shamu
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 11:51am |
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Is your rifle a "T"? Does it have the mounting pads in the left side wall of the receiver? These scopes& mounts don't just bolt on to a no4 They attach to a pair of pads permanently attached to "T" modified rifles only.
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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kdweste
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 11:54am |
 Does this help by looking at the numbers?
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britrifles
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 12:46pm |
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Shamu has asked a very good question! I just assumed you have one of the rare Savage No. 4 Mk I*(T) rifles that had the two scope mount pads soldered and screwed to the left flat side of the action body, but never had a scope fitted.
If not, you have a much larger task in front of you to mount the scope to the rifle and requires a competent gunsmith or armourer to properly install the pads and culminate the scope to the rifle. If that is the case, you might want to go with a complete replica mount and scope set up. Photo below from Skennertons book, The British Sniper:  |
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kdweste
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 1:29pm |
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No, just an everyday Savage, no pads or anything.
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kdweste
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 1:35pm |
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Shamu
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 1:54pm |
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Then it won't fit without finding, fitting & fixing them. This can be done, but not easily.
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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britrifles
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Posted: July 08 2024 at 2:13pm |
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Really needs to be done with someone knowledgeable with how to fit the No. 32 scope to a No. 4 rifle. I don’t know of anyone who does this in the US. I would not attempt it myself.
Keep in mind that this scope has very little adjustment, +/- 16 MOA windage and not much to play with to get elevation right either.
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kdweste wrote: