I was looking around the local pawn shops and found an older rifle in pretty rough shape but on top of it sat a Schmidt and Bender.. The scope seemed to be an older version, gloss black and did not have a model number. It had a stamp that said the magnification ( 2.5-10 I believe, may have been 2.5-12) then Schimdt Bender Germany. The knobs had the single dot in the center and was front focal plane. Scope was very clear but had a couple blemish marks. No pics of it unfortunately, but I was curious if these older scopes are still worth any money?
Older Schmidt and Bender Scopes help
- Thread starter Bf7
- Start date
Any Schmidt and Bender is worth “money”. More than likely it was a 2.5-10x56 with either a duplex, modified duplex or perhaps a German post reticle. The glass in those older scopes is quite amazing and the mag ring is usually silky smooth. Turret clicks are .1 mil increments. I had one years ago that was made in West Germany and sold it, which I kinda regret.
The package price was coming down bc the rifle was in such bad shape, then when I looked down the bore a bullet was wedged in it. Then the guy wouldn't sell the package to me. I will be calling them back when the supervisor is in. But yes the mag adjustment ring was unbelievably smooth and it was a fine cross hair with heavy duplex. The top post was thin the whole way. I thought it would be cool to have and the glass was quite impressive.
Cool find, but as if they put the rifle out for sale and never inspected the bore. Damn...
It's a crappy pawn shop in the hood.. I find some unique stuff in there though. They typically don't know anything about hunting rifles or scopes so that's why I go by. I was going to buy the rig, keep the scope and sell the action. Thought I could talk them down on the price with the lodged bullet.. but that backfired.
That's a great and an unlikely find pmclaine!
Actually the BDC turret on this scope is set up for the JVA0221 & JVA0222 rounds used
by the Finnish Defense Forces.
Specifications of this round are:
Cartridge: JVA0221 & JVA0222
Caliber: 7.62x53R
MV: 720 m/s (2362 fps)
Bullet: Lapua D166, 200 grains, G1 BC = .448
Case: Sako or Lapua (Formerly known as Valtion Patruunatehdas, VPT)
Powder: Vihtavuori N140
Charge weight: 2.77 - 3.00 grams (42.7 - 46.3 grains, has varied over the decades depending on the powder lot)
The only difference between the JVA0221 & JVA0222 rounds is the packaging - JVA0221 comes in a hermetically sealed package, while JVA0222 doesn't.
Atmospheric conditions that match this BDC:
Temperature: 15 Celsius (59 Fahrenheit)
Elevation: 50 meters (164 ft) above sea level
Its marked RVL rather than SA so I understand the Border Guard used it.
I think tube is smaller diameter than SA.
I couldnt leave it on the rack at the shop I bought it from so I bought it as a sniper rescue for someone interested in such hoping to sell it but there has been little interest.
Saved an SA Wetzlar in green leather case at same time.
Thank you for the added knowledge.
This is correct - RVL is short for Rajavartiolaitos, which is the Finnish Border Guard, so this scope has been their property. Scopes that have been property of the Finnish Defense Forces (FDF) are marked with either SA (short for Suomen Armeija, which means Finnish Army) or with a tower logo.
Over time there were three different scopes that were used on TKIV-85 / TAK85:
- MSW Wezlar 4x36 (no longer in use, all surplussed, found on TKIV-85 prototypes and scoped m28-76 rifles)
- Schmidt & Bender 4x36 (most common, some surplussed, some still in use)
- Zeiss Diavari ZA 1.5-6 x 42 (still in use, not surplussed)
My understanding is that the specifications of each make & model were identical regardless of whether they were property of the Border Guard or FDF. Border Guard is a much smaller entity than the FDF, so I 'd presume that RVL marked S&B 4x36s are much less common than SA or tower logo variants.
Really good call to pick these up and you're most welcome!
Around here old S&B, Swarovski and Kahles scopes go for around €200-500, depending on the condition. They are all still very useable the only obvious downsides these oldtimers have is a limited elevation adjustment (which adjusts only the reticle and not the erector system in most cases) and no illumination.
But you have to make sure the mechanical reticle is still good. They usually are usually made from thin wire and plates soldered together and on a few of them the wire can get loose or they get uneven from time to time.
The only real problem is that it will be hard to find someone to do service work should something break.
But you have to make sure the mechanical reticle is still good. They usually are usually made from thin wire and plates soldered together and on a few of them the wire can get loose or they get uneven from time to time.
The only real problem is that it will be hard to find someone to do service work should something break.
Its available if you know anyone is looking.
Optics - Vintage Finn Sniper S&B scope for Mosin variant for sale...
Ive been told this is a Vintage Finn Mosin variant sniper. Tag from the collectors estate states it was given to Latvia via Finland when the curtain fell. I dont know what the "250" references but if it is what he paid, that is significantly less than what I paid and certainly I hope his estate...
www.snipershide.com
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