Need an old-timer to tell me about a "sliding scope".

[Charlie Oldphart]

In 1963 I bought from a friend a Remington Model 700, 26 inch barrel in .222 caliber. He was a paper puncher and the rifle had a 15 power scope mounted on the rifle.

I didn't know one scope from another, but as I remember, it was about 12 inches long and had some kind of springs attached as part of the mounting system. The result was that after each shot you had to pull the scope back to the rear about an inch to prepare for the next shot.

My memory is not so good anymore and I was just wondering if any of you folks had any knowledge of such a scope or who the manufacturer might have been.

Of course, I sold the rifle later (like a fool). It probably would have been worth some bucks today.

Thanks for any info.

Charlie

I consider all the folks on THR as friends that I haven't met yet.

 

[Jim Watson]

A scope in a sliding mount was about 75% likely to have been a Unertl. About 20% to have been a Lyman Targetspot. In 1963 the Feckers and Litscherts still around might barely make up 5%.

Unertl is still in business but they no longer catalog target scopes, just the 10X sniper scope affordable only to the government and an attempt to break into the crowded 1911 market.

The best description of Unertls (and listing of scopes for sale) that I know of is at:
http://www.alexweb.net/unertl/

 

[Deanimator]

There were a number of similar scopes, the Unertl probably being the most popular. Marine Corps sniper rifles were frequently fitted with them during WWII. A friend has one which he has mounted both on his Remington 40X and his Martini .22 position rifle. It's a good scope, but has been superseded by more modern designs which incorporate their windage and elevation adjustments in the scope itself instead of the rings.

 

[langenc]

If you want to do something interesting go to ebay and type in Unertl scope.

Make sure you are sitting down-the results may well surprise you.

 

[bogie]

Their current scopes look NOTHING like the target scopes...

FWIW, Arnold Jewell has developed an external mount for a 30mm Leupold which has had its crosshairs 'frozen' (glued into a fixed position). Makes for a very repeatable scope.

 

[Gaffer]

As you will note as you look at the link supplied by Jim Watson the prices have increased dramatically. The cost of the scope today is several times the value of the original Rem. 700. No one seems to be making these scopes today and that is a shame. I still have one Unertl 20X that I bought new for about $300 back in 83 or 84. It is now worth about $900.

 

[Charlie Oldphart]

Thanks for the info folks!

I'm pretty sure the scope was a Unertle. I looked on E-Bay and was surprised at the prices of these thingss.

Good grief, I probably didn't pay more than $100 for the rifle and scope together.

Thanks again

Charlie

 

[Brian Dale]

Keep 'em.

 

[beretta9]

I had one in 20X, on a Savage 22-250. Don't remember the name but the spring was to soften the recoil. Mine was extremely accurate and went back to its original position after every shot. The spring was also adjustable for stiffness. Still kicking myself for selling it.

 

[Cannonball888]

Im no old-timer, but here's my 8x Unertl

 

[Brian Dale]

You're not, Cannonball, but your rifle is.

Oh, what a beautiful rifle!

Nice scope.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

As Jim Watson says, its most likely a Unertl.