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Period-Correct Scope for Older Rifle |
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South Pender
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/13/2015 Location: Vancouver Status: Offline Points: 110 |
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Posted: June/12/2020 at 01:48 |
This may strike some on this forum as an unusual question, but let me explain. I've just acquired a very nice rifle, in excellent condition, built in the late 1960s or 70s. It's a Schultz & Larsen M68DL in 7x61 Sharpe & Hart and came with high-polish Conetrol mounts. It has a deep blued finish, and I'd like to find a period-correct scope for it with a 1" tube. My first thought was an older Leupold 2-7 or 3-9 with gloss finish. There are lots of them available on used-gun sites here in Canada. Unfortunately, the finish on most is worn or scratched. So a question I have is whether Leupold will replace beat-up tubes (assuming all the lenses are fine) with new ones. Does anyone know? Secondly, a shooting buddy suggested that, since the S&L rifles were manufactured in Denmark (and still are, although with a newer model), I should try to find a nice period-correct European scope with a 1" tube. He suggested something like a Zeiss, Swarovski, Leica, or Kahles. However, I think most of those had a sort of matte finish, didn't they? What would you guys suggest I look for? What would be a period-correct (so 1980s or, at the latest, 90s) European scope that would work on an elegant rifle? It just would seem wrong--from an aesthetic standpoint--to mount a new matte-finished super-modern scope on this rifle. So I need your help, guys. Perhaps help me to look outside the box. All suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Edited by South Pender - June/12/2020 at 02:09 |
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The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.
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Scrumbag
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: October/22/2013 Location: London, UK Status: Offline Points: 4205 |
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My W German Zeiss 4x32 had a gloss finish. Scrummy
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Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9042 |
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I have looked over several different lines of scopes and cannot find a gloss model. Leupold may be able to fulfill a custom order, though.
Those Conetrol mounts are also a good looking on any classic rifle. I found a club dedicated to the S & L guns, too. It disturbs me what has occurred with hunting rifles. It must be all the snipers we have these days. 7x61 Sharpe & Hart...wow. That cartridge is still in my 40 year old Hornady, Sierra and Speer manuals. |
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Doug
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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How about a Zeiss Diatal-Z 6X42? The ones built in the 1970's had a gloss finish, though it wasn't gloss anodizing like on the gloss Leupolds, it was some type of gloss black paint. To identify the version from that era, look for the old style Zeiss "Z" logo on the turret caps that had the German #1 reticle in the center of the "Z." It looks like this (photo found online, not mine):
That would be a very classy period-correct scope for your S&L and would also be a typical scope mounted on that particular rifle at that time, especially since many hunters didn't fully trust variable scopes yet. You can usually find them for less than $400. They aren't impossible to find for sale if you look around on the auction sites. Finding one in really good condition and without a rail mount can be tough, though. Being patient pays off.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 122179 |
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That's what I would suggest, too. A late eighties or early nineties Zeiss scope. They were glossy and were 1 inch tubes.
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Visit the Ed Show
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bugsNbows
Optics God bowsNbugs Joined: March/10/2008 Location: North Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11200 |
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A few years back, Weaver had a decent little glossy, steel tube commemorative model 4 X 38. There may be a few around in ok condition.
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If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
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South Pender
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/13/2015 Location: Vancouver Status: Offline Points: 110 |
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Well, I went online and did a fairly extensive search for an older Zeiss scope and came up pretty empty. The problem for me in Canada is that US sellers are, I gather, prohibited from shipping a scope to Canada. So that really limited the search as I was unable to find many older Zeiss or other European scopes in really good condition here in Canada. I did, however, run across the following 6x36 Swarovski in Canada that must be from the 80s or 90s I'd guess. It doesn't have the current matte finish, so might look OK. The seller wants the equivalent of $500 USD. What do you guys think? I could continue the search.... Oh, by the way, I called Leupold about replacing a beat-up scope with a new exterior in gloss and was told that they couldn't do it. All Leupolds are now matte. Edited by South Pender - June/17/2020 at 00:29 |
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The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.
-Bertrand Russell |
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coyote95
Optics Master Joined: January/24/2009 Location: michigan Status: Offline Points: 1196 |
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i dont know about price but sure it would look good.
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"Life is like riding a bicycle . To keep balance you must keep moving" Albert Einstein
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tejas
Optics Journeyman Joined: March/08/2010 Location: Lone Star State Status: Offline Points: 575 |
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Did you talk to Leupold custom shop? They built me a gloss FX3 6X42 three or four years ago.
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South Pender
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/13/2015 Location: Vancouver Status: Offline Points: 110 |
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No I just asked via email and got a response from a CS rep. I might try talking to the custom shop.
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The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.
-Bertrand Russell |
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Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 122179 |
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Visit the Ed Show
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9042 |
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I think that Swaro is perfect!
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Doug
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South Pender
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/13/2015 Location: Vancouver Status: Offline Points: 110 |
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Thanks for that, Doug. I'm going to try to get registered with that club. I'm hoping that I can find a copy of the owner's manual, or, at the very least, some instructions on adjusting the trigger.
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The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.
-Bertrand Russell |
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Code4
Optics Apprentice Joined: July/11/2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 76 |
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Find a Hertel and Reuss scope or older Nickel Supra. They will match the rifle and calibre perfectly. Everyone has a Zeiss.
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