No.1 MkIII SMLE Whitehead A5 Sniper Build

[Surpmil]

Thanks for the feedback!!!

It does seem to make no sense to mount that front base to the rear sight protector ear versus a solid spot on the rear sight base. The only thing I can think of is that on the 1903 Springfield they recommended spacing the bases out at 7.2". Coincidentally that is the exact measurement when you mount that front base on the rear sight protector ear.

You're quite right: the distance between the rings determines the actual change in windage or elevation for each graduation on the dials and Winchester's instructions for the scope detail that.

They would have had to make a "dog-leg" front mount to attach to the sight base.

Of course what they should have done was adopt Parker Hale's suggested mount which would have placed the scope overbore and allowed their precious charger loading, but probably "military mind" at that point thought it better not to introduce any overhead mounts lest their wisdom in previously selecting offset mounts be exposed.

And of course it would have meant removing the issue backsight; "most irregular"!