1939 Original Lee Enfield No.32 Mk III/MK 3 Sniper

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   Is there a way to tell the difference between an original and an altered by the numbers on the drums? 

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kdweste Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: July 07 2024 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote kdweste Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July 08 2024 at 5:16pm
	Is there a way to tell the difference between an original and an altered by the numbers on the drums?

terrylee Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 30 2014 Location: South Africa Status: Offline Points: 942	Post Options Post Reply Quote terrylee Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July 09 2024 at 1:11am
	In comparing my original No 32 Mk III and a later L1A1 Conversion the following can be noted. Firstly, the ranges are both indicated as being up to 10 ie 1000. However, the L1A1 is also stamped M for metres. Secondly, the L1A1 scope has had some of its original markings cancelled out with new ones added, including L1A1.

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July 09 2024 at 4:20am
	There will be differences in the number of clicks between the range index marks on the elevation drum. You might not be able to tell by looking at it, you would have to count clicks between each range index mark then compare with a No. 32 scope. The L1A1 would have fewer clicks between the range index marks, probably out past 200 yds to account for the flatter trajectory of the 147 grain 7.62 NATO bullet fired at a significantly higher muzzle velocity out of the L42 rifle, compared to the 174 grain .303 Mk 7 bullet out of a No. 4(T). But, it’s clearly a L1A1 scope, it is marked so on the tube and on the box. This is a minor issue. Your main issue would be how to install the pads and culminate the scope to the rifle.

terrylee Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 30 2014 Location: South Africa Status: Offline Points: 942	Post Options Post Reply Quote terrylee Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July 09 2024 at 7:27am
	Britrifles, You raise an interesting point which I have just tested. The number of clicks between 0 and 1000 yards on my No.32 Mk III is 59. On the L1A1 the equivalent in metres is 49. And this is over a longer distance.

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July 09 2024 at 8:18am
	Yup, the flatter trajectory of the 7.62 NATO boattail bullet, which I think was 147 grains, and longer barrel on the L42 gave considerably higher muzzle velocity than the .303. That had to reduce bullet drop considerably. Muzzle velocity of the .303 Mk 7 bullet was 2440 fps; and probably close to 2800 fps for the 7.62 out of the L42.

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July 09 2024 at 11:43am
	[edited] Yes a 147Gr BT bullet @ 2750 (quoted) Vs a 174 Gr FB one @ 2450. IIRC the difference is fairly minimal out to about 250 yds. Then it really starts to show up.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Mayhem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 06 2016 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 335	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mayhem Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: July 09 2024 at 5:10pm
	I hate to nit-pick Shamu but it should be 147 BT versus 174 FB
	.303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889

kdweste Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: July 07 2024 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote kdweste Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July 10 2024 at 8:08am
	Thank you everyone for the information. I learned a lot!

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July 10 2024 at 11:52am
	Yah, finger trouble,sorry.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July 10 2024 at 12:08pm
	The Mk 7 bullet is surprisingly slick. BC coefficient is not much different from the Sierra 174 grain MK. The nose filler (aluminum or other light materials) make it long for its length. Most of the trajectory difference in the 7.62 x 51 load with 147 grain BT as compared to the .303 Mk 7 load is a result of the significantly higher muzzle velocity.

Enfield trader Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: May 11 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 923	Post Options Post Reply Quote Enfield trader Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July 13 2024 at 11:02am
	I believe the No32 scope was produced in 1941 - it was initially designed for the Bren. I have a 1941 dated scope that I sold off many years back.

Enfield trader Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: May 11 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 923	Post Options Post Reply Quote Enfield trader Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July 13 2024 at 11:12am
	Where is the 1939 date marked on the scope.