Lyman Alaskan

[aka108]

Just returned from escorting my wife on a garage sale junket. I went into a couple of them and lying on a table was this 1 inch scope. Rings covered up the mfg. name, knew it was old as made of steel, optics clear, and the price was 5 dollars so I bought it. Cleaned up nicely, few light pits. There is a number (A7968) immediately following the name Alaskan. Don't know if this a model or serial number. Anyone know much about these and if the price was right? Thanks! Scope is 7/8 inch, not 1 inch as stated above.

 

[Cosmoline]

It's a classic with a good rep. If it's in good condition, you've got a real keeper. I've seen them going for several C notes, so five bucks is good. Someone who collects old optics could probably tell you the year of manufacture on it. If it's pre-war or a military contract, I believe it's a collector's item.

The Lyman Alaskan was the other outstanding prewar American scope. Lyman did an excellent job of making it shock and weather resistant. The Alaskan persuaded American shooters a scope could be tough enough for severe hunting conditions and for dries of heavy recoil. It cost about half the price of a Noske or Zeiss. Like the Zeiss, Hensoldt, and Noske scopes, the Alaskan had a 7/8" scope robe.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_9_51/ai_n14816198

 

[Essex County]

Somehow I had it in my head they were 7/8 diameter, but I could be wrong as usual. Anybody? Essex

 

[aka108]

It is 7/8 inch.

 

[DougW]

My grandfather gave me a 30.06 FN Mauser (commercial) custom built in 1954 in a Bishop stock with the Alaskan sope. Rifle has been in the family since the late 50's. I have tried to sight in the Alaskan, but changing elevation changed windage, and vise versa. I could never get it dialed in, so I removed the entire scope and base, and replaced it with a new set up.

I found an article about the Alaskan, and it appears to have sold new for around $100 in the 50's. I have not found anything on current value though.