Scope Mount for Parker Hale Custom No.1

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tlavoie

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Hey all,

I've got a Parker Hale Custom #1 (made from Enfield action), that I've had (and rarely used) since the mid '80s.
https://imgur.com/a/OgDQVD0

The main thing I didn't like much were the iron sights, though it came pre-drilled and tapped for a side mount.
I believe this mount would be the Parker Hale BA27, which is now out of production. There are three holes in a row on the left-hand side, as shown in one of the pictures.

I did purchase a Williams SM70 mount online, which looks like the same idea. Now that it's arrived though, I find that the screw spacing (and likely size) is different from what I have. I don't want to have additional holes drilled, so I think that one's of little use to me.

Suggestions? Just hunt around for the original P-H parts?

Cheers,
Tim
 
I've seen a lot of sporterized No 1's that have the right mount...PH is long gone so...your best bet might be to find another rifle in poor shape that has the mount you want.
 
Thanks, will keep that in mind. I was thinking I might luck out on EE or Ebay. Really, would prefer to help clean out someone's junk drawer, than take on another random rifle for one part.
The other side of things is that my investment there is limited, not a family heirloom or anything, so could potentially just move on to something newer.

Worst case, I should take it out and use the irons for a bit in case I sell it, just so I can speak with authority about how it does.
 
Sometimes collecter's source has parker hale bases and rings. It depends on what's coming in.

Found one on Ebay ht tps://www.ebay.ca/itm/Lee-Enfield-No-1-Parker-Hale-27-side-scope-mount-Made-in-England/383358289286?hash=item5941ef4586:g:C-IAAOSwW1NeE9V3
 
Pblatzz said:
Sometimes collecter's source has parker hale bases and rings. It depends on what's coming in.

Found one on Ebay ht tps://www.ebay.ca/itm/Lee-Enfield-No-1-Parker-Hale-27-side-scope-mount-Made-in-England/383358289286?hash=item5941ef4586:g:C-IAAOSwW1NeE9V3
Click to expand...

Nice find. That'd likely screw right on and it's in Canada.
I wonder what screw pitch the holes are, into the receiver? Hopefully not some hard to find PH British thread.
 
Pblatzz said:
Sometimes collecter's source has parker hale bases and rings. It depends on what's coming in.

Found one on Ebay ht tps://www.ebay.ca/itm/Lee-Enfield-No-1-Parker-Hale-27-side-scope-mount-Made-in-England/383358289286?hash=item5941ef4586:g:C-IAAOSwW1NeE9V3
Click to expand...

Thanks, I came across the same one right after I posted (of course). Only bidder so far, cross fingers.
 
cantom said:
Nice find. That'd likely screw right on and it's in Canada.
I wonder what screw pitch the holes are, into the receiver? Hopefully not some hard to find PH British thread.
Click to expand...

The best thing is to buy a thread pitch gauge (not much money). Measured the Threads Per Inch (TPI) and then went to a fastener company, they had taps and screws.
Did this with a Parker Hale No 1 supreme to mount a parker hale scope mount that was original and period.
 
Pblatzz said:
The best thing is to buy a thread pitch gauge (not much money). Measured the Threads Per Inch (TPI) and then went to a fastener company, they had taps and screws.
Did this with a Parker Hale No 1 supreme to mount a parker hale scope mount that was original and period.
Click to expand...

So were the Brit screws like 6-48 American thread or some bastard Whitworth or something? (since the rifle was sporterized in England)

BTW, if stuck, I know a smith who has a good assortment of screws. Could ask.
 
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(re: drilling new holes in the mount I got): Thought about it, but they're sort of counter-sunk, so would look gross. I can return it, minus a re-stocking fee, so that's close enough.
 
cantom said:
So were the Brit screws like 6-48 American thread or some bastard Whitworth or something? (since the rifle was sporterized in England)

BTW, if stuck, I know a smith who has a good assortment of screws. Could ask.
Click to expand...

Thanks, think I should be OK. At least, I have the screws that have always been in the holes, so I have references if they turn out to be too short to use with a mount.
 
The "screws that have always been in the holes", as shown in your picture, are "filler screws" who's job is to "fill" the holes so threads don't get damaged and usually look better. For certain will be too short for any scope mount - those filler screws normally do not have a head, but you are correct - they do have the diameter and thread count of the screws that you will need.
 
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This thread discussion got me curious so I dug out a Parker Hale #1 conversion ("PH" stamped on wrist below the bolt handle) I am pretty certain the BA 27 base came in a separate purchase. Base lined up perfectly with pre-existing holes on the rifle. Those are #4 BA Cap screws - use a 3/32" Allan wrench. Nominal Outside Diameter is about .142" and has about 38 1/2 Threads Per Inch. Not likely to be finding them at local hardware store. Maybe at a motorcycle repair shop for British bikes - such as Triumph, or British motor cars? I bought various BA screws, taps and dies from BA Bolts in England this past summer.

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On the rifle shown, the tapped holes go right through the rifle's side wall. And yes, that is same size as the ejector screw on a Lee Enfield No. 4. (Edit - information is incorrect - see Post #22 - is a 3BA screw for ejector on No. 4!!) (In a desperate pinch, can also steal the 3 BA screw that holds the spring on the trap door, inside the butt plate on a No. 4 - to replace a "suddenly gone missing" No. 4's ejector screw). Also same size and thread as is used on the Parker Hale rings to attach top half of ring to bottom half.

And "wierdest", so far, that is also size and thread for the screw that holds the rear sight spring in place on an M1917 - made in USA for the USA during WWI, but probably makes sense, since they were built on tooling originally brought to USA from England to build the P14's.
 
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If you search ebay there is a ton of 4BA fastners on the site..

such as a socket head cap screws or allen head in 4BAx (length you choose)

ht tps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2BA-4BA-6BA-SOCKET-CAP-SCREWS-ALLEN-KEY-BOLTS-HEX-ELELCTRICAL-MODEL-MAKING/201508834383?hash=item2eeadccc4f:m:mwelprf_A2n3w9nNzRvsc0Q&var=500690103126
 
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