Pattern 1916 and 1918 telescopic sights on No.1 SMLE and No.3 rifles - compared
The Pattern 1918 'scopes were usually found of Aldis manufacture, such as those also fitted to the Enfield Rifle No3(T) - the First World War (1914-18) sniping version of the Pattern 1914 (P'14) rifle.
Below: The Australian WWII SMLE Sniper Rifle in .303-inch centre-fire calibre
with its 1939-45 War Australian made Pattern 1918 'scope.
CLICK ON EACH IMAGE FOR GREATER DETAIL OF EACH RIFLE
The marks for the Australian Pattern 1918 WWII manufactured telescope.
SIGHT TELESCOPIC
PATT 1918 (AUST)/1
B.A.A. 3650 G.A.
......
A.O.C.
......................
.V. .....................
The Pattern 1916 'scope shown below on a .22 Rimfire SMLE training conversion is manufactured by the Aldis Brothers company of Birmingham, who also made earlier side-mounted 'scopes similar to those of the Periscope Prism Co., fitted to the S.M.L.E. - the Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III sniping rifles - early in the First World War (1914-18).
The marking on the objective lens' outer tube.
The Enfield Pattern 1914 rifle in its guise as the No.3(T) MK.I sniping rifle
with the over-bore Aldis-style Periscope Prism Company telescopic sight.
The marking of the Periscope Prism Company Pattern 1918 telescope
mounted over-bore on a No.3(T) Mk.I* SMLE.
The earlier side-mounted Periscope Prism Co., telescope patented in 1915,
here fitted to a 1916 No.1 Mk.III SMLE
The markings on this 'scope bear a serial no. "O" over "4284"
and the Patent reference "PATENT 3027/1915"
The company marking reads
" PERISCOPE PRISM
COMPANY L
LONDON "
A further side-mounted Aldis Brothers Pattern 1916 'scope
is fitted on Alex Martin mounts to a Pattern 1917 sniper rifle -
The marks, including the serial number of the above Pattern 1916 Aldis 'scope,
along with the Broad Arrow acceptance stamp, are on rear optic lens' stepped tube section.
Lastly, neither a Pattern 1916 nor 1918 'scope, but a U.S. made Winchester A5 'scope
fitted to a 1916 SMLE No.1 Mk.III* on Whitehead mounts - just for further comparison.
The marks on the 'scope show a barred out serial no. R5818 and a further serial no. S 8455 with the Broad Arrow acceptance mark above.
The rolled stamping of the manufacturer reads
MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY
NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED FEBRUARY 9.1909.
New Haven is in the state of Connecticut.
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