Leather Scope Caps for 03A4

[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]

Update:

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/showth...over-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/showth...over-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.