Thread: Vintage / Antique scope update

Update on progress with buying vintage and antique scopes

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....e-scope-45862/

I have been able to buy 2 old scopes that are destined for projects I'm currently working on and brought a new reproduction from USA for my muzzleloader.

I brought a Unertl Vulture 10x scope for my 1885 project
Its almost mint.
Optically perfect with fine cross hairs
Complete mounts and brand new bases that had never been on a rifle

That scope is a huge step forward for the whole project and thanks to **** for selling it to me



I have just tested out a Stevens 368 6x scope and Winchester Model 67 I brought.
Brought the whole package as then I know I have the correct mounts and base blocks
Only been on the one rifle since the early 30s
Heavily worn but in reasonable condition considering its been on a working 22 rifle and was used by a rabbiter in the 30s
Was missing the return to battery screw but I have Rangi'ed up a small brass on to be able to test while still on the 67
Its optically good and the cross hairs are reasonably straight
Easy to adjust and zero and then lock off both adjustments with a single screw
You just need to remember to return it to battery after every shot
Good accuracy with the well worn 67. 25 to 30mm 5 shot groups at 50m
Will leave it on the 67 and shot a few hares and rabbits until I have the rifle ready that it will live on long term

Does anyone want a well worn but proven accurate Winchester Model 67 ?







And I have a reproduction WM Malcolm 3x scope coming from USA to go on my 50 cal muzzleloader
Went for a new reproduction as the 50 cal ML would most likely destroy a genuine antique or vintage scope
Will look something like this but my muzzleloader is not the flash



If anyone has or knows anyone who has anything like these and wants to re home them ?
Send me a PM
They will be put back into service .... not hoarded

cheers

Didn't they use scoped rifles in the American Civil War, I recall seeing something with a really long tube on it. Heard there was not even a reticle or post in it, just go for the middle of the (not very wide) field.

Something like this: www.hansenguns.com/images/mwlongsniper1.JPG

They survive quite well because the scope stays still while the rifle recoils and slides back on the mounts

Originally Posted by akaroa1

They survive quite well because the scope stays still while the rifle recoils and slides back on the mounts

Sounds wild. So were the mounts leather lined or something like that to provide a firm but sliding fit?

The front mount on the Stevens 368 has an off round shape and a small strong spring that keeps it at the top and in the same place and a small return to battery screw in the scope body that sits in a small open V in the front top face of the front mount.
There are lots of other front mount variations



The rear mounts have a strong screw plunger on the diagonal opposite to the elevation and windage adjustments
These are pretty standard for all the rear mounts.

Really enjoy seeing this kind of stuff, probably wouldn’t have seen it otherwise. Very cool

And the Unertl Vulture is now fitted to the 1885 project rifle still "in the white"
I had made up a mock up macrocarpa stock to be able to look at the location of the scope, the transition from parallel octagonal to tapered round and the fore end hanger location which is fitted into a dovetail rebate under the barrel.

The Unertl front mount is different again with an auto return to battery system being a spine on the scope running in a groove in the top mount and a plunger spring in the bottom. And a large adjustable return to battery spring



Lots still to do to finish the project but its all come together rapidly once I got that scope

Took out the new old Model 67 and Stevens scope this evening for the first time.
Got a rabbit and a hare.
But it was a really dull overcast evening and the scope isn't nearly as bright as a modern one.