M1C / MC-52 scope

[brianf]

finally pick up a M1C (MC-52), been looking at them since i was a kid looking in my fathers books

like most things of that era, especially marine corps the build was a mash-up of available parts they made work

they did wind up using 2-3 versions (depending on what books you cite) of the same civilian scope

originally they used the Kollmorgan sniper scope MC1 M1952 which was really a Bear cub with non-capped/ target turrets and some markings

sometime during procurement, the target turrets vanished and regular coin slot scopes were used

originally raised turret MC1 scopes are like finding bigfoot, and if you do find them once every 4-5 years they are already sold for 4-5K.

i have the period correct scope but of course, im always looking, like we all do


although both used;

top scope while correct is not the original solicitation...bottom scope has target turrets

long story short, does anyone know of a reproduction company that specializes in old obscure optics

 

[lonegunman762x51]

I've sold some of my old scope stuff to these guys, if anyone can find it, they can.

Vintage Gun Scopes — Kollmorgen 26mm Tube Bear Cub 4x, Olive Drab. c.1956-59. Near Mint, Target Dot.

Target Dot reticle.

www.vintagegunscopes.com

 

[brianf]

I've sold some of my old scope stuff to these guys, if anyone can find it, they can.

Vintage Gun Scopes — Kollmorgen 26mm Tube Bear Cub 4x, Olive Drab. c.1956-59. Near Mint, Target Dot.

Target Dot reticle.

www.vintagegunscopes.com

thanks, ill chekc it out and contact

 

[ODCMP]

finally pick up a M1C (MC-52), been looking at them since i was a kid looking in my fathers books

like most things of that era, especially marine corps the build was a mash-up of available parts they made work

they did wind up using 2-3 versions (depending on what books you cite) of the same civilian scope

originally they used the Kollmorgan sniper scope MC1 M1952 which was really a Bear cub with non-capped/ target turrets and some markings

sometime during procurement, the target turrets vanished and regular coin slot scopes were used

originally raised turret MC1 scopes are like finding bigfoot, and if you do find them once every 4-5 years they are already sold for 4-5K.

i have the period correct scope but of course, im always looking, like we all do


although both used;

top scope while correct is not the original solicitation...bottom scope has target turrets

long story short, does anyone know of a reproduction company that specializes in old obscure optics

Based on the finish, it looks like your scope with the raised adjustment knobs was the second type scope from the second purchase. Which mount do you have?

Here is a link to a post I made about 10 years ago that shows pictures of the first type and second type MC-1 scopes and mounts:

https://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=109995

 

[brianf]

Based on the finish, it looks like your scope with the raised adjustment knobs was the second type scope from the second purchase. Which mount do you have?

Here is a link to a post I made about 10 years ago that shows pictures of the first type and second type MC-1 scopes and mounts:

https://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=109995

From your pic it’s the mount back and right. Rounded “flippers”

 

[ODCMP]

The second type with the FSN number and rounded levers. Nice.

 

[marios5469]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but trying to find out more about the scope. Did the Marine Corps ever use scopes without the elevated turrets in early models of this rifle? I have an old Bearcub 4x which aside from the covered adjustments is identical in dimensions and adjustment location. There is remnants of a grayish green almost parkerized looking finish on it as well on the ocular and objective. I've seen commercial 4x scopes and the location on the tube of the adjustment knobs are set back further from the objective. I doubt its a military scope but figured I would ask since its different than other commercial scopes of this model I have seen over the years. Right now it sits in a replica mount I sourced from a vendor in France.

 

[cplnorton]

I have a lot of unpublished Marine Corps docs on the M1952 program. If they ever did use these scopes, I am sorry to say it is not documented as they did.

 

[marios5469]

I have a lot of unpublished Marine Corps docs on the M1952 program. If they ever did use these scopes, I am sorry to say it is not documented as they did.

Appreciate the response.

 

[Gary/CO]

Peter Senich says the OD color Kommorgens were not purchased by the USMC. I have one myself but would gladly swap it for an authentic USMC marked one.

Now, the Japanese sniper in the Hollywood flick, Hell to Eternity, certainly used a rifle with a G&H side mount and a Kollmorgon. Too bad the flick is b/w so we don't know what color the scope is.

 

[marios5469]

Peter Senich says the OD color Kommorgens were not purchased by the USMC. I have one myself but would gladly swap it for an authentic USMC marked one.

Now, the Japanese sniper in the Hollywood flick, Hell to Eternity, certainly used a rifle with a G&H side mount and a Kollmorgon. Too bad the flick is b/w so we don't know what color the scope is.

Thanks for the updated info. The scope is interesting because it doesn't have the 4x on the adjustment tower either like I've seen on the commercial scopes. All good the glass is amazing and will be mounting it on a 7.62 M1.

 

[FlightRN]

Now, the Japanese sniper in the Hollywood flick, Hell to Eternity, certainly used a rifle with a G&H side mount and a Kollmorgon. Too bad the flick is b/w so we don't know what color the scope is.

Good Day,

It's been a long time since I've seen Hell to Eternity. Luckily, the Internet Movie Firearms Database (IMFDB) is a good source for exploring weapons that were used on the big, and small screen.
The film stills in the database clearly shows the military style Kollmorgen/G&H assembly mounted on a 1903 Springfield with a WW1 (pre 1920) high hump handguard.

The Kollmorgen scope ( and mount) I have was originally thought to be very early in production/issue since the MC-XXXX serial number was not present and the scope showed no signs of being refinished. However, thanks to the diligence of researchers like cplnorton and others, I've learned mine was probably one of the limited contract US Army examples purchased. I use it with my M1C and am happy to have it in my collection.

Regards,
Michael

Regards,
Michael

 

[sinister]

My son bought an older Kollmorgen from a place in Wyoming a couple of years back. One of the guys on the Virginia Rifle Team modified the Harrington and Richardson I gave my son.

 

[Gary/CO]

I haven't seen that historical documentary/flick Hell to Eternity sincd childhood and didn't realize the widespread use of M1903s by the Japanese. Didn't realize that "made in Japan" was something undesirable to the Japanese. Sidenote: a recent book on World War II sniper rifles has the image of that actor with the Kollmorgan equipped M-1. LOL.