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Rifle Scope History

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mwyates View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mwyates Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Rifle Scope History
    Posted: June/04/2006 at 21:23

Might as well start a new thread and get away from the 6 page one below.

 

Here's what I've learned so far:  Dates these companies first made rifle scopes

 

Kahles -  1900

 

Swarovski - 1976

 

Leupold  -  1943, first hunting - 1947

 

Bushnell  -  mid 1950's

 

Weaver  -  1930's?

 

Zeiss  -  ?

 

Nikon  -  ?

 

 

 

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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/05/2006 at 00:05
The first Zeiss scopes I've heard of were made in early 1930s.  Nikon made its first scopes in 1950s, I think, although it is quite possible that they made weapon sights during WWII as well.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/05/2006 at 05:14

I thought I read somewhere that Zeiss made their first rifle scope in 1920 or there abouts.

 

Kahles in 1900?!?!?

If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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mwyates View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mwyates Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/05/2006 at 09:15

From the Kahles website

 

1900 KAHLES introduced the legendary TELORAR rifle-scope in five different magnifications. Precise and reliable, these early KAHLES rifle-scopes soon became highly respected by hunters everywhere.

 

Nikon built rifle scopes in the 50's?  I thought they were much later than that; like the 80's.  I know they made binoculars in the 1920's, but they didn't do much with binoculars until 1982.  I can't find anything on their site about rifle scopes.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rootmanslim Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/05/2006 at 15:21
Lyman? Unertl? Malcolm? Noske? Kollmorgan? Redfield? Fecker?
this could become a real quest!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Trinidad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/05/2006 at 17:44
Here is one from the Win Malcom telescopic factory Circa 1855.
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mwyates View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mwyates Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/05/2006 at 18:44

OK, Somebody pitch in and help

 

Maybe we should write a book.  There must not be one out there.

 

Hey Chris, how about a lot of up front money and I'll do the research

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fourinone Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/06/2006 at 05:17

In 1848 Morgan James of Utica, NY invented the long-tube telescopic sight that would be used by civil war marksmen. Priced at about twenty dollars, they were no more than four power.

I found this on a Civil War info page, but I could not cut & paste it here.

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