Gents,
I am asking for help in order to find the proper rings for this rebarreled Webley 1902 Rook rifle.
The top of the dovetail measures .445.
The bottom 0.32, and it is .15 high.
There are small square divots in the middle of the top left side.
Any ideas?
Thank you much,
WC-
I would consider asking Steve Earle (products) if he has a rail that is compatible. If it doesn't have to be period/maker correct, I'd consider trying one of the standard scope rings (11 mm in aluminum?). For a light kicker, I would overly worry about matching the recoil slots or the dovetails exactly. Anyway, good luck with the search.
What he said, Steve Earle. Who makes rings for 11mm rails? What is the width of the widest part of the rail? If it is 16 or 17mm there are rings that will clamp on that.
I think the 16 mm scope ring base is roughly the standard weaver width. On places like the bay, if you search for 11 mm scope rings, or 3/8 11mm scope rings, or cz scope rings, a bunch of options should show up. This type of ring will fit on other euro rifles, such as the rib on Haenels that weren't necessarily intended for scopes.
I don't think standard modern rings would be considered proper on traditional rook rifle, but they just might get someone going with a scope for a minimal cost and effort. Based on the picture, I'd pick a ring set that didn't use the screw or other projection as a lug, preferring a flat base against the top of the rifle's dovetail. And, while I wouldn't assume it, chances are aluminum rings won't leave marks on the rifle. Only thoughts, based on that .445 top of the dovetail measurement.
Depending upon the width of your rib and the current dovetail cuts, a nice clean solution is to cut Tally bases in to the rib while removing the old cuts.you will need to compare what is there to the Talley specs but this may be a simple solution.
Steve
Thanks for the help.
- the rib is 12.5mm
- I'll send an email to Steve Earle on the subject.
- I have some new Burris rings, and they sort of fit, but need modifications (which I could do)
- I am bidding on a Weaver V22A scope with tip-off rings to see if those would work
- Steve, I'd rather not modify this rifle
In general I am struggling to find drawings for standard dovetails. Any pointers?
Thanks again,
WC-
Talley will send you the specs on the dovetail they use. I have the print somewhere. On others I can not say.
Steve
Sorry about that WC, my thought was 11mm is about .433 inches. I was way off from 12.5mm, but thinking in terms of .445 inches. My guess is that tip-off rings will take you in the wrong direction, they'd be for a narrower dovetail. There is such a thing as scope rings for 12mm and 13mm dovetails.
Try searching XXmm dovetail scope rings, then view images of the search results for drawings of the dovetail that the clamp part of the ring is intended to fit.
No problem CraigD, the rib is 12.5mm, the top of the dovetail is .445.
At this stage I think those are Parker Hale rings, which undoubtedly would be hard to find. I did order a vintage catalog from Cornell to try and get a reference number.
First stop will probably be to modify the regular 11mm rings I have.
WC-
I am pretty sure at this stage that I need DTM series rings, actually DTM.2 for 1" rings.
The square divot is special to Parker-Hale.
I think I might have found them in UK. We'll see.
If you happen to have a set laying around I'll take them!
WC-
No skeettx, the dovetail is too large on those...
I can make the regular rimfire rings to work, I just would like the proper rings.
WC-
So thanks to Robin at Emma custom rifles co in UK, I do have the proper rings for that rifle.
Those are indeed Parker-Hale DTM-2 rings that fit those bases like a glove. it seems that this square divot in the base is a sure way to identify the maker.
Yeah!
WC-
Congrats WC. Do you have any background on who did the rebarrel, was there a time when those ribs were available? I suppose it wouldn't be surprising if the rifle had a set of rings when the work was done, but got separated later.
That rifle was originally a rook rifle of some sort. It got re-barelled to .25-35 more than likely in the USA as there is no proof mark nor any other marking except for the caliber.
The bases were sold by P-H with the rings. It is somewhat odd that a US smith would use a P-H setup, but not impossible.
Another option is that the bases were already on the rifle and got reused.
Anyways, I just need to find a suitable scope at this point. I am thinking of a Lyman all american 4X. Just need to be 1" with a longish eye relief as the stock is long.
All the best,
WC-
Thanks WC, there probably is more recoil than a typical rook chambering, it’s a good thing that you have matched rings. I’ve had a Leupold 6x in the past that seemed to have a pretty generous eye relief. It just came to mind as that cartridge may give you a little range and that scope has decent glass without looking like it has all kinds of modern do dads hanging off of it.
Oh, you mean no 34mm tube with mile-long turrets?
Simple and elegant should be the operating word.
And yes, I'll check the 6x Leupold too.
Take care,
WC-
Well it turns out that due to the long stock and ring placement, only a Scout rifle would work. I have mounted a Burris 2.75x20 and it seems to work pretty well and looks good.
Next step is to make some ammo and shoot it.
It's been quite a trip so far!
Thanks for your help...
WC-