doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Scoping a vintage gun (sorry)

Not on a level with a Rigby or a WR but a few years back I found a very nice Rem. M30, .35 Rem. that was D&T'd. If the owner had gone through the expense of having it D&T'd after market I would think he would have mounted a scope so I assume it was done by the factory since there is no evidence of a scope ever having been mounted.
It had two holes in the front ring and one in the rear, they matched up with a Buehler one piece which I found. I had a 1950's era Kahles Helia scope around that needed to be mounted with a windage rear base so it seemed like a good match. I will say the holes were off a bit so Brian Perazone was kind enough to modify the base a bit. Not a great scope, it has that German #1 three post heavy reticle but certainly better than irons for my eyes.

It just wouldn't feel right with a new Leupold, or even a new Kahles. I usually have some Kollmorgans or old Weavers or B&L's around for vintage guns like my Savage 99's and Marlins. Old mounts too.

Really love vintage scopes on vintage guns, if they are done correctly. I'd rather see a period scope in those holes or mounts, than filler screws or empty mounts. I try to find vintage scopes for any old rifles I purchase, if they are already set up for scopes.

My preferred method (usually) is to make rings to fit the original bases and then to use a scope that's appropriate in power and appearance while also having excellent optics. The latter requirement is sometimes difficult to fulfill with older scopes and so I frequently use more modern glass, with few if any regrets. My main concern is to not alter the rifle in any way that could possibly be avoided, while retaining/restoring as much of its original appearance & configuration as possible.

Always bearing in mind that IMO functionality is far more important than appearance. I'll use vintage optics if in good shape and comparable to modern glass, but if the image is not clear and bright then I switch to a better scope regardless of appearance.

It shouldn't be too difficult to adapt available rings to fit the original bases shown, or even to make new bases to fit the original holes and then engrave the new setup to match. If done properly then the changes or additions would not be noticable to even the most discerning eye.
Good luck, Joe

Hi
Let me say its good to be back among old friends. Here is something I found http://www.hegibbs.com/scopes.htm I was suprised its still affordable. They are a bear to sight in but once there they stay.
Tom AKA Screwloosetc

I don't think that they'd look that good on a classic rifle.