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Help: No8Mk1 sights, missing ghost ring

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eclecticshooter View Drop Down
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    Posted: October 05 2021 at 6:50am
Hi All 

I am hoping to get some clarity on rear sights for No8 Mk1 22RF rifle. 

From what I understand the rear sight is your typical flip up sight with a battle (ghost ring) sight when the sight is down (in it's normal/default orientation).



I have an opportunity to buy one, however the one I saw was missing the battle sight. Almost as if someone filed it off. I thought someone did and then decided to do some more research.  

I haven't found anything to support an idea that this may have been done intentionally or some sort of a later evolution of the rifle (as issued). However I have found a handful of examples where the rear battle sight is missing (e.g. Lee Enfield No8 (highwoodclassicarms.co.uk)).



Something like this, I have seen another example like this and the one I have an opportunity to buy is similar, 3 in total, have not seen any more like this. 

I am hoping someone can explain to me what's going on here. Snapping a ghost ring off is not trivial, so this leads me to believe that it was intentional. I am just not sure why/where/etc. What's the reason and history behind it. 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks! 
 
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britrifles View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2021 at 2:56pm
The battle aperture was ground off on No. 4 (T) rifles to allow figment of the No. 32 scope.  That’s one example, there may be others. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Marco1010 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2021 at 3:00pm
the No8 cadet rifles I used here in NZ when a bit younger were fitted with the non adjustable 2 position flip up battle sight. I assume it was adjusted for the different calibre and ballistics.  But I am going back about 35 years ...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eclecticshooter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2021 at 3:21pm
Thanks all. Appreciate the response. It was getting me a bit confused, but it's good to know that this is not an "as issued" condition. And probably will help someone else in the future :)  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2021 at 7:04pm
we have a member that will jump in here soon that is very familiar with the no8 - i dont have one but always wished i did , 

looks to be a very fine rifle , 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2021 at 7:51pm
I'm betting that's exactly "As Issued"
look at the range markings.
That's  the last of the rifles I'm looking for too.

I learned to shoot with one very much like it a bazillion years ago & an ocean away!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2021 at 7:52pm
I have this sight and no, I did not molest this one. I assumed it was for a No7, No8, or No9.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 06 2021 at 6:36pm
where is ZED ? i thought he would check in by now 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stanforth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 07 2021 at 2:05am
The sight shown by Goosic is not the one supplied with the NO 8 MK1.
Ian Skennerton, in his book 'The British Service Lee' states 'The rifle is issued with service sights. These are similar to those of the N0 4 rifle and give the same ailing picture to the firer. The backsight gradulations  are  for 25-yard, 50 yard and 100 yard firing with an additional "H" gradulation for firing on a landscape target.'
The illustration shows it with the 'Battle sight.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 07 2021 at 2:06am
Sorry for being late guy's. I was at the new Bond movie last night.  
The No8's can have with or without the battle sight. 
I have one with and one without. I'll post a picture later. 
Don't know why some have it removed, possibly the slides were surplus stock for the No4T's . I'm sure the part's bins were source of some of it!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 07 2021 at 6:05am
Originally posted by Stanforth Stanforth wrote:

The sight shown by Goosic is not the one supplied with the NO 8 MK1.
Ian Skennerton, in his book 'The British Service Lee' states 'The rifle is issued with service sights. These are similar to those of the N0 4 rifle and give the same ailing picture to the firer. The backsight gradulations  are  for 25-yard, 50 yard and 100 yard firing with an additional "H" gradulation for firing on a landscape target.'
The illustration shows it with the 'Battle sight.
I was merely making an assumption.  It has been modified similarly to the one I had on my No5Mk1. I have seen a Mk1 sight that had a Parker Hale attachment clamped to it that gave you the addition of windage adjustments on a No8 however. The supplied photos came from Skennertons book. Pages 294 and 297. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 07 2021 at 10:46am

Not a great photo; but you can see that the No8 in the centre has the battle sight and the one on the right does not. The one on the right is built on a No5 receiver. But I don't think the type of receiver has any influence on the type of sight fitted.
On the left is my No4Mk1/2

Also, a question regarding the first photo in this post. That rifle has chequer engraving on the butt wrist.
Is that the rifle you are purchasing? Or is that photo from a book? 
I ask, because the trials No8 rifles had similar style chequering on the wrist. Look at the serial number.

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