Hello! and Appeal for Info on Singlepoint Sights

[papermaker81]

Hello everyone, I have been poking around here for a while and I figured that I should finally introduce myself; my name is Owen.

I have a few airguns but my primary interest at the moment are early reflex sights, particularly the Singlepoint sights, but also including the BSA sights and the like. In fact, I am in the preliminary stages of writing a book on the topic and would love any information that is out there on them. I know most of the basics but I am particularly interested in information related to Singlepoints with yellow or blue dots, the night version of these sights, Singlepoint mounts (and if they came with the sight when you bought it), the Sussex Armoury Cyclops sight, and any original advertising, magazine articles, or fliers on any of the early reflex sights. I am also particularly interested in the stories of anyone who used them while in military.

I am also particularly interested in finding a SP 280, a glowing shotgun bead made by the Singlepoint company, and a mount made by Singlepoint for double barrel shotguns. There was one posted on here several years ago but the pictures have long since been removed. It can be seen in these two links: http://www.terapeak.com/worth/double.../131706384660/ and https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...e-a3ff00beee18. Singlepoint also sold a number of other things early on, including hunting boots, a skeet system, cartridge belts, and other related items. If anyone happens to know of any of these, please get in touch

Cheers,
Owen

[harvey_s]

Hi Owen
I posted a little bit of the history re. these a while ago here and a link to that is : http://www.airgunbbs.com/archive/ind.../t-607526.html
I've never seen a blue dot version (they may exist of course, but I've not come across one)
The Webley Speed points were also made by Singlepoint and Pellpax were selling them off cheap - dunno if they still have any - might be worth a call though : http://m.pellpax.co.uk/optics/sport-...eed-point/1040
Regarding special mounts - the only standard fitment of the Singlepoint I know of is the Sussex Armoury AR7 and a photo of this is here : https://www.flickr.com/photos/harvey...posted-public/
Protek Supplies recently sold a boxed Cyclops sight which I would have liked myself - there is still a photo on their website, maybe they can put you in touch with the buyer if you want some more details on that?
There is a possibility I might be able to help with a SP275 shotgun sight.

[bighit]

I had a single point on my air arms hi-power and then put it on my hw45.

Can't remember if it came with mounts .

I got it brand new from battle orders around 1995. if I remember right it said on the instructions that they were used on the army L1a1 .

[Duggan]

Hi Owen, send me a pm with your email address and i will help you out. I've recently picked up some brand new in their original boxes, also some brand new and fitted to period rifles, which should indicate what the recommended mounts were. I may have others as well.

Cheers

[Geezer]

I think they were never Army issue (although the hairy monsters of Hereford probably bought some to play with), but some individuals did privately purchase them and have their unit armourer mount them to an L1A1. I came across a chap recently who said he did the same with a Nikko Sterling 4x28 in the 70s.

I would be interested in anything you discover about the relationship between the Singlepoint and the slightly later but very similar American Armson OEG.

[papermaker81]

Thanks for the replies everyone,

@harvey_s--

I might be able to help with a SP275 shotgun sight

I recently found out that there were two types of shotgun sight made, the SP275, which was just a simple fiber optic, and the SP280, which I have only seen as a magazine ad from about 1975. It is described as a "glowing bead" so I think it functioned more more a normal shotgun bead but perhaps with a beta light insert? I bought that cyclops sight actually Never seen one or reference too it before. Pretty plasticy and would not stand up to much abuse, but the interesting thing is that it comes with 3 different reticles that you snap in and out!

@bighit--

I remember right it said on the instructions that they were used on the army L1a1

Is that the company that now sells movie related props and memorabilia? I would love to see the instructions sheet if you can find it.

@Duggan--
PM sent - thank you!

@Geezer --

some individuals did privately purchase them and have their unit armourer mount them to an L1A1

That is the conclusion that I have come to as well, but I am still hoping to hear it first hand and find out what type of Singlepoint was used, as I know they made specific models for military use. There is talk of Singlepoints that have a red dot during the day and then transition at night to either a glowing green dot or a green bar illuminated by a beta light radiation source, but I have yet to see any surviving examples of these.

So far I have not done too much research into the Armson, but what I do know is that is was originally made in approximately 1980 in South Africa. Very similar concept so I imagine they got their hands on a Singepoint and did their own take on it. Strangely it seems to have succeeded in military use where the Singlepoint largely failed. I have one but actually prefer the Singlepoint as it seems to be easier to find the dot for snap shooting. I think their most prominent use was for a South African grenade launcher where they were standard issue. OEGs are ideal for such an application as you do not actually clear line of sight to use the sight, the sight can be pointed at a steep angle (into the body of the launcher) in order to attain the steep firing angles needed for the slow 40mm grenades.