Aldis Scope Elevation Range Dial - Bottom Half Help

[hatrick]

Here is one more for your records. Just a tube and reticle but real deal Purdey

[Roger Payne]

The likely second pattern in Post 12 also has an unusual feature, which I would suggest in this case is probably an oversight on the part of the engraver, rather than an attempt to hoodwink - note the extra digit in the srial number; 683,000. I would think the final zero was an accident, & the scope is probably 68,300.

It would also fit that the scope in post 14 was fitted with the Bartle/Modified PPCo rings as the focussing collar & helix in which it rotated required to be moved from the top of the scope tube to the side - as seen here.

I think you are correct Surpmil that the range grads were only engraved onto the range dials following test shooting at Bisley or Hythe (don't quote me on ranges, though!).

[Surpmil]

The likely second pattern in Post 12 also has an unusual feature, which I would suggest in this case is probably an oversight on the part of the engraver, rather than an attempt to hoodwink - note the extra digit in the srial number; 683,000. I would think the final zero was an accident, & the scope is probably 68,300.

It would also fit that the scope in post 14 was fitted with the Bartle/Modified PPCo rings as the focussing collar & helix in which it rotated required to be moved from the top of the scope tube to the side - as seen here.

I think you are correct Surpmil that the range grads were only engraved onto the range dials following test shooting at Bisley or Hythe (don't quote me on ranges, though!).

IIRC Skennerton refers to that in TBS Roger, but of course in regard to those with the one-piece drums; I forgot about about that in my previous post, so would correct what I said there in regard to those adjustable scales being engraved after fitting. Those with the adjustable scales could have been engraved from the factory as there was enough range of adjustment to zero the scales, assuming the scopes and mounts were properly collimated on assembly.

Hatrick I forgot to mention that the step in the tube which the No.4 Aldis and your commercial have was dropped from later commercials; another reason I would tend to think yours is an earlier version. Could be the dies wore out or the step was dropped as an economy measure? Also possible that running out of lenses of the original types they reworked the design to use other surplus stocks on hand?

As for re-enameling the brass parts, I'm not aware of product that duplicates the original finish. There are formulas online for "japanning" finishes intended for the restoration of (mostly) Stanley Rule & Level Co. planes; you might want to have a look at those as they can be made up from available materials. There are probably 19th C formulas and instructions out there somewhere in old books; the first place to look would perhaps be some of the old compendiums of recipes and formulas, such as this one The instructions given tend to be pretty minimal though!

The trick is not filling the engraved markings with finish as those seem to have been cut after the finish was put on originally.