Thread: WW1 SMLE with Winchester A5 build

Always been keen on one of these -a brit WW1 SMLE with a sniper scope. After looking into the three main versions the Winchester A5 version looked the most achievable:




Earlier this year I got a bunch of photos of originals and started to craft up the scope mounting brackets. Main tool was the ol' eyeometer...




The scope was bought from the US and arrived last week, so made some major progress. It is still quite clear, but the crosshairs are a bit warped, but will do the trick. Overall not bad for something designed in 1907.


I still need a screw on the scope mount bracket that was missing. Also need to blue it all. Very pleased- the scope is in the correct spot elevation wise near the bottom of the turret travel at 100m zero with all the elevation adjustment I could ever need.

Looking forward to shooting it.

Nice job, well done

Nice work

If you can do that with an eyeometer then you can replace the crosshairs on the A5

I've had a few vintage scopes apart ( not an actual A5 ) and it's not that scary in there
With modern adhesives like Loctite 401 it should be pretty easy and there are multiple options for the hairs themselves

Hi I agree with FSS on the workmanship
but really enjoy you guys getting into making something different and solving all those problems that come up
Happy Xmas holidays to all

Originally Posted by FRST

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nice work my Grandfather FE Ovenden was a world war one sniper served at Gallipoli and I believe also France - I have a photo of him with his snipers division taken in Wellington one is holding very similar looking rig

That’s awesome. Great work

Nice, there was a guy in the Hutt who serviced scopes. I forget his name but he was very well priced and would be able to fix the crosshairs.

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

Nice, there was a guy in the Hutt who serviced scopes. I forget his name but he was very well priced and would be able to fix the crosshairs.

Andrew Rackstraw but I am pretty sure he is now retired

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

nice work my Grandfather FE Ovenden was a world war one sniper served at Gallipoli and I believe also France - I have a photo of him with his snipers division taken in Wellington one is holding very similar looking rig

Would love to see that photo, awesome history

I just cant make it work if you give me a cell phone number I will attach it to a text and see if you can put it up

Great job! Timely reminder I need to sort out my aldis scope, purdey mounted smle at some point.

@FRST well it's been over 12 hours so how does it shoot ?

No excuses

any one if you want to see the photo I will attach to text and see if some kind sole can put it up snipers Division I believe Wellington Regiment taken before being sent to Gallipoli