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No. 4 Micrometer sight problem
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 10:18 pm
by jisii
I need some help with a micrometer sight on my No. 4 Mk. 1. Awhile back, I got a micrometer sight from Springfield Sporters and installed it on my 1943 Maltby. Once I got the Knack, installation was uneventfull. The new sight was a definate improvement. On thursday,(9-1-05) I ordered another micrometer sight from Springfield Sporters for my 1942 Maltby which has turned out to be my most accurate Enfield. This sight arrived this morning; it looked new and, unlike the first one, had a bright metal micrometer scale plate instead of a blued scale plate. The graduations appear to be the same as the first sight. Markings on this sight (right side of sight body) are as follows:
B
CR
870
There is a B at the top right hand side of scale plate.
Again, installation was uneventfull except for the fact that the adjustment wheel at the top of the sight will not go all the way down into the recess in the receiver. The sight seems to be usable when erect but the battle sight is blocked by the adjustment wheel when the sight is in the lowered position. Anybody have any ideas why it doesn't fit right? Should I relieve the receiver recess slightly to provide the necessary clearance?
I would appreciate some help from the experts!
Thanks in advance
John I. Smith
Bedford PA
Not expert, but I sleep in right hotel & have books
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 8:46 am
by NuJudge
If you are interested, all of this trivia is in North Cape Publications' "British Enfield Rifles, Volume 2, Lee-Enfield No.4 and No. 5 Rifles" by Charles R. Stratton.
What you seem to be describing is that you purchased a Mark I Backsight and retrofitted it to your No.4 Mk I, and the knob on the sight adjusting screw is obstructing your vision through the Battlesight when the Backsight is folded. The sight that came on your '43 Maltby rifle may be the Mark II Backsight (an "L" shaped affair, which was a wartime expedient used from some time in 1943 to 1945), or it may be the Mark III or Mark IV Backsight (the stamped rear sight leaf has a sliding aperture system with a tensioned catch on the side). The British "Factory Through Repair" process, or "FTR" for short, replaced a lot of these after the war with the Mark I, which resumed production after WW II.
The Mark I Backsight was made by many makers and is graduated from 200 to 1300 yards. In the discussion of the markings on the Backsight Slide (which has the aperture in it) for the Mark I, it notes that after about 1950 they are marked "F" (for Fazakerly) and "CR 318" (a part number). There is no such discussion in the book about Backsight leaf markings other than range graduations. The knob on the Backsight is supposed to be 0.48" in diameter.
There is a Mark V rear sight (for the No. 5 rifle) that is very similar to the Mark I, but is only graduated from 200 to 800 yards, but all the other sight parts should interchange, except for the adjustment screw below the knob. The adjustment screw is threaded for only half its length.
Backsight Variations 6,7, and 8 (no Mark numbers apparently) are very similar to Variations Mark III and IV (no micrometer knob, just a tensioning catch on the side).
Backsight Variation 9 (used on L8 7.62x51 NATO series rifles) is similar to the Backsight Mark I, but different in that it has a lower datum line at the bottom and is graduated in Meters up to 1000 (not yards up to 1300).
On the Mark I Backsight, there were upteen Backsight leaf variations, but none of the markings listed in the book match those you say are on your sight.
There is a separate discussion regarding markings by rifle manufacturers and subcontractors. One marking of interest is a nested "L" and "B", used by Longbranch, Canada.
I hope this helps.
CDD
Some pictures of what it should look like
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 9:00 am
by NuJudge
Mk. 1 Micrometer Sight
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 10:09 am
by jisii
Thanks for the info NuJudge. I have a lot to digest. I'm going to send for a copy of that Enfield book you quoted from.