I know the USMC MC1 scopes are supposed to be amazing.
Redfield bought Kollmorgen stuff but I don’t think they were as nice as the Kollmorgen line based on my example of one.
I’ll find some pics and come back.
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Kollmorgen Scopes
- Thread starter pmclaine
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Redfield bought Kollmorgen stuff but I don’t think they were as nice as the Kollmorgen line based on my example of one.
I’ll find some pics and come back.
Look how well made the adjusters are with that sweet brass….
These are pics of an MC-1 Kollmorgen....
I'm thinking mine could be converted to clone if someone machined a lower "cup" that was threaded to screw on where the cap threads are.
The "cap" for adjusting would incorporate a "blade" to fit in the coin slot.
Longer brass screws would attach the "cap" to the scope internals.
Add some o rings in the right places it would be weather tight.
@sirhmechanic or @buffaloewinter do that machinist stuff while performing morning constitutionals.
The USMC Kollmorgen is known for its crisp, distinct clicks that were audible for lowlight use. That I would not be able to replicate.
I would love to see design drawings for the MC-1.
I really need to put my Kollmorgen on something....I am thinking my 10-22 but I would have to have both rings behind the turrets for eye relief I'm guessing.
I'm thinking mine could be converted to clone if someone machined a lower "cup" that was threaded to screw on where the cap threads are.
The "cap" for adjusting would incorporate a "blade" to fit in the coin slot.
Longer brass screws would attach the "cap" to the scope internals.
Add some o rings in the right places it would be weather tight.
@sirhmechanic or @buffaloewinter do that machinist stuff while performing morning constitutionals.
The USMC Kollmorgen is known for its crisp, distinct clicks that were audible for lowlight use. That I would not be able to replicate.
I would love to see design drawings for the MC-1.
I really need to put my Kollmorgen on something....I am thinking my 10-22 but I would have to have both rings behind the turrets for eye relief I'm guessing.
I know this is an old thread, But did anyone ever look into doing a conversion for the external knobs? I have a scope that I was looking to convert. I've emailed some of the scope repair companies, but no one seems to be interested.
Just throwing this into the mix, since we’re all so fond of Redfield scopes in this forum. It’s interesting (at least to me) that the lineage of the original M40 scopes traces back to Kollmorgen, a major optical supplier to the Navy. Not that I think that was a factor in their selection.
This is from a Redfield advert. The year might be ‘57 or ‘59, I have it as ‘58, but it’s from an online screen shot.
At some point, they transitioned to the 1” tubes, and also eventually dropped the Bear Cub name. I haven’t pin pointed that date through researching old catalogs and print ads, yet. It must have been important and enough for them to label the scopes as 1” to help purchasers differentiate and buy the right rings. My guess is early 60’s. Hence the clearly labeled 1”-64 rings.
I’m not an expert or authority. More so, I like puzzles and fitting pieces together to complete a story. So take this for what it is.
Greg
This is from a Redfield advert. The year might be ‘57 or ‘59, I have it as ‘58, but it’s from an online screen shot.
At some point, they transitioned to the 1” tubes, and also eventually dropped the Bear Cub name. I haven’t pin pointed that date through researching old catalogs and print ads, yet. It must have been important and enough for them to label the scopes as 1” to help purchasers differentiate and buy the right rings. My guess is early 60’s. Hence the clearly labeled 1”-64 rings.
I’m not an expert or authority. More so, I like puzzles and fitting pieces together to complete a story. So take this for what it is.
Greg
@marios5469
Not that this is your solution, but a similar concept and food for thought. These were aftermarket, probably 70’s vintage. They replaced the turret caps and adjusted the W and E externally. I’ve seen Redfield and Weaver versions online.
Have you considered buying a cheap Tacticool scope with external adjustment knobs and adapting them to your vision? Just as a proof of concept.
Not that this is your solution, but a similar concept and food for thought. These were aftermarket, probably 70’s vintage. They replaced the turret caps and adjusted the W and E externally. I’ve seen Redfield and Weaver versions online.
Have you considered buying a cheap Tacticool scope with external adjustment knobs and adapting them to your vision? Just as a proof of concept.
One of the reasons they are so good was that in 1946... all the orders for Submarine Periscopes dried up. Until the advent of a nuclear navy... there was little call for new subs and periscopes. But Kollmorgen (in Northhampton, Ma.) needed to keep its workforce together... and busy. Until new orders came in.
So one of the best optical companies in the world was making hunting scopes (booming post war market)... and even glass ashtrays! Anything to 'weather the storm' until Rickover's nuclear Navy obsoleted all the WW2 subs and required new periscopes.
I used to consult for Kollmorgen and they have a little 'shrine' to their 'difficult years' in the lobby at Northhampton. And the 'test tower' is really cool!
Kollmorgen scopes are fantastic. One still sits on my modern Sako deer rifle. Plain dot 4x. It's shot a lot of deer over the years. Never fogged. Never an issue. Brilliant glass.
Cheers,
Sirhr
The old 4x Kollmorgen Bear Cub scopes are pretty decent for being 60 plus years old. I have one on this M14A1 replica. The U.S. Army almost adopted them in the early 1950s to replace the obsolete 2.2x M84 scopes, but ultimately didn’t adopt them. The USMC of course adopted them as the MC-1 - with those nice click adjustable turrets.
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