Leather Scope Caps for 03A4

[Richard Turner/Turner Saddlery]

I have had several request recently for leather scope caps for the 03A4. Curious as to how much interest there is for these? I used to make these years ago for several collectors and reenactors, while I was stationed at MCB, Camp Pendleton, CA, but at that time, they were hand stitched.

I still have the patterns and an original sewing machine identical to one of the machine types which was used to stitch the plugs in the end of the caps. This machine is over 100 years old, but is tight and runs great. The type of stitch used was the French Edge Stitch and is sewn at an angle. If there is enough interest, I plan to begin manufacturing these to the original WWII specs. They will made from horse hide as were most of the originals, with NOS (new old stock) thread from the 1950's.

Another project we are working on, is setting up to make the leather cheekpiece for the M1D/C. I recently acquired one of the original molds and cutting dies. It has been documented that the tooling we have was made in the late 1950's. The tooling needed to be reworked and some TLC to get them back in shape, but we should be able to make a short run in the near future.

If there is any interest in the scope caps among 03A4 shooters and collectors here at CSP, just let me know as jigs will have to be made to form and sew the caps correctly. Your thoughts and input would be greatly appreciated.

Semper Fi,

Richard

[1mark]

Hi Richard I would be interested in several set. Would these be for the M73B1 scopes or the Lyman M81 and M82 scopes? Either way I am interested.
Thanks

[Richard Turner/Turner Saddlery]

1mark

Will most likely start out with the scope caps for the M73B1, and according to how much interest there is we will make the caps for the M81 and M82 as well.


Semper Fi,

Richard

[keith smart]

Excellent news from a quality leatherman. Presently need two for the M73B1

[jgaynor]

Did the M81 and M82 ever come with GI dust caps? I would have thought the rubber eyecup would make using them difficult?

Regards,
Jim

[Allen Humphrey]

I'm in for the caps. Probably 2.

[RickM]

I hunt with mine... it has a unertlx 10x on it. I woukd be interested in caps for it

[Mike Hull]

I would like 2 sets for the M73B1.
Thanks.

[Cecil]

I'll take a set.

[Nate]

Put me down for a M73B1 set.

[JimW in Ore]

Put me down for a set.

[Mike D]

Count me for one set.

Mike

[swampyankee]

Put me down for two sets if this happens.

[Kurt]

I'd take one as well.

[25ring]

I'd certainly take a set

[glindes]

Mr. Turner: Do you make, or can you recommend someone who does, leather scabbards for the M1903 rifles and Win. Model 94 carbines? Thanks in advance. Geoff

[Richard Turner/Turner Saddlery]

jgaynor:

Never ran across any scope caps made large enough to slip over the rubber eye cup at the ocular end. All the ones I made years ago were designed to fit minus the rubber eye cup. It would not be difficult to make a larger/deeper cup on the ocular end so as to slip freely over the eye cup. I would suggest making the ocular cup long enough to cover the full length of the rubber.

[Richard Turner/Turner Saddlery]

glindes:

Will send you a PM about scabbards.

[Richard Turner/Turner Saddlery]

I hope to be under way in 30 to 60 days. I have plenty of russet horsehide and an ample supply of NOS MILSPEC linen thread which is the correct size required for the scope caps.

I will keep the forum posted on the progress.

Semper Fi,

Richard

[glindes]

glindes:

Will send you a PM about scabbards.

Thank you sir, 'Looking forward to it.

[Promo]

I would take five sets, if possible. And if you're still looking for ideas, I would have interest in reproductions of the leather scope cases for the Winchester A5 telescope which were used in WWI.

[The Shadow]

I'll take a set.

Terry

[Kragrifle]

Me Too

[TW56]

I would like one set for M81 scope

[Bigbuckeye]

I am in for a set for my M73B1

[Dawelda]

i have a Weaver 330-C, i think it is the same M73B1. if so, i will take one, too!

[Col. Colt]

Put me down for a set for an M73. You will find a LOT of NRA Vintage Sniper Competitors with 03A4s only have a standard Alaskan mounted on their rifles - so an "M73" variation might be popular if it showed up at Camp Perry! Now if someone would come up with a repro Sunshade and Rubber Eyepiece, then we would all have M81/82s! CC

[z3406]

I'm in for a set too, M73B1

[bigskybound]

I will take a set.

[emmagee1917]

I would be in for one for the M73B1 ( display ) , two for the M84s ( what I have on my A4s to shoot ) , one for an M81 ( my M1C ) and a third M84 ( for the M1D ) .
While not all may be " original " in use , they will protect the lens with a " period original " solution.
Chris

[daveboy]

I'm up for a set

[keith smart]

I hope to be under way in 30 to 60 days. I have plenty of russet horsehide and an ample supply of NOS MILSPEC linen thread which is the correct size required for the scope caps.

I will keep the forum posted on the progress.

Semper Fi,

Richard

Hope we are close!

[Floyd1977]

I'd be interested in a set for the Lyman Alaskan.

[Richard Turner/Turner Saddlery]

After many hours invested (40+), in getting the machine running right (had to replace many worn parts and do a partial rebuild), I finally got it adjusted to sew at the proper pitch and angle to sew the scope caps. By the way, I found out this old machine is first year production ( 1905-1906 Mfg. date).

I started practicing with a 3" inch diameter cup and have now worked my way down to a cup size of 1 1/4" diameter, still a lot of practice involved in sewing one to fit a scope with a 15/16" ocular and a 3/4" objective diameter. I am having some jigs machined to help form the cups which will ease the assembly prior to sewing.

Input:
I would like to find out if anyone knows if these scope caps pictured in this link are contract scope caps and are also correct for the M73B1.

http://www.jouster.com/forums/showthread.php?28041-M1903A4-M73B1-Scope-Cover-Questions

I have seen several sets of this style over the years and have been told they are one of the types issued during WWII. I have several mint commercial caps of this style (but for larger scopes), that I am sure are made by the same contractor. If these are also correct for the M73B1, these are the ones I will make first. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'll keep everyone posted on progress as I get closer to a finished product.

Regards,

Richard

[Randy A]

I don't think they are Richard, if so, maybe early. All that I've seen had the ends of the cup wall cut tapered, when they were overlapped they formed an even thickness cup, glued and that was also the location the strap was stitched on. The end of the strap was also tapered and stitched around the outside edge of the strap, not across the center. Also, I've never seen such a prominent recess cut around the outside diameter of the cup for the stitches.
I had some good pics, I'll see if I can find them.

[TW56]

After many hours invested (40+), in getting the machine running right (had to replace many worn parts and do a partial rebuild), I finally got it adjusted to sew at the proper pitch and angle to sew the scope caps. By the way, I found out this old machine is first year production ( 1905-1906 Mfg. date).

I started practicing with a 3" inch diameter cup and have now worked my way down to a cup size of 1 1/4" diameter, still a lot of practice involved in sewing one to fit a scope with a 15/16" ocular and a 3/4" objective diameter. I am having some jigs machined to help form the cups which will ease the assembly prior to sewing.

Input:
I would like to find out if anyone knows if these scope caps pictured in this link are contract scope caps and are also correct for the M73B1.

http://www.jouster.com/forums/showthread.php?28041-M1903A4-M73B1-Scope-Cover-Questions

I have seen several sets of this style over the years and have been told they are one of the types issued during WWII. I have several mint commercial caps of this style (but for larger scopes), that I am sure are made by the same contractor. If these are also correct for the M73B1, these are the ones I will make first. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'll keep everyone posted on progress as I get closer to a finished product.

Regards,

Richard

Richard, it has been approximately 8 months. Any updates on the leather scope caps?

I would like to see a set for M81/82/ Lyman Alaskan scope.

Thanks in advance,

TW56

[Richard Turner/Turner Saddlery]

TW56

I appreciate everyone's patience. Things have been hectic here at the shop over the last several months and haven't had much time to devote to the scope caps. This is still a project I want to pursue, but I still have a bug in the machine which is set up to stitch the caps. This project is still in the works, but haven't had much time to tinker with the machine. I just located a part for the machine that needs to be rebuilt, since replacements are non-existent for this 100 yo + machine. I found out real quick that the tolerances have to be just right to make the proper stitch on this tight of a radius.

I have a list of all who said they are interested in the scope caps and I will let everyone here know when they turn out to my satisfaction and are available.

For those who don't know, there are only two of us here at the shop and we experience quite a backlog from time to time, especially during match season. I lost one of the best gents I have ever had who had worked for me for over five years. He decided he wanted to move on to greener pastures, but still comes in from time to time to help out. I have a son (about to turn 17) who has has finally taken an interest in learning leather work, but I have a hard time keeping him on task since perfume and gasoline clouds his mind these days.


NOTE: Another item I have been working on as well, is an original pattern for the M1C/M1D Cheek Pad. I acquired an original set of cutting dies and mold which was made in the late 1950s. After having the mold and cutting dies refurbished and sharpened they are turning out quite nice. I am trying to build a few as time permits and those who have ordered one have been quite pleased. As far as I know I am currently the only one who is turning these out on original tooling and U.S. made with correct gray felt padding, thread, and NOS blackened brass grommets.

Thanks again for everyone's patience.

Regards,

Richard

[tbone69]

I could use 3 sets of m73 scope caps and a M1D cheekpad.

[mack]

Please include me in the list for a set for the MB73 caps when they become available. Many thanks in advance for going to all this trouble.

[packrat]

Hello Richard
please add one cap set for M73 and one M1D cheekpad to the list for me when available.
Thank you.