Help Identify Military Spotting Scope. PIC Heavy

[45Wheelgun]

So I found this today at a small town gun show. I love things that come in a box...

I don't think this is a M49, but I'm not sure exactly what it is. Does anyone know what it is?

The only markings are "US Army 2864" crudely engraved into it:

It came with two lens, one that appears to have originally come with the unit, in a small box. The metal case has a special spot for the little box with the lens. The other lens (which is on the scope) appears to be aftermarket. It is a variable 25x-50x. It does not have a manufactures name or mark on it.

I am hoping that with our diverse group, someone will know just what I found.

The good news is that it works very well.

Thanks,

 

[canoeguy]

I've got one just like it, given to me by a guy who spent some time in the Army, apparently it followed him home. I don't have the tripod for it, but by studying your pictures, I think I can make one from a camera tripod.

Mine has a very wide field of view, probably twice to three times that of a pair of nice binoculars. Clear optics, too.

Can't help you with identifying it, but thanks for the pics!

 

[BudsBoy]

It is an early Kowa.
I just sold one like it on eBay (non-army) for $280.

 

[45Wheelgun]

BudsBoy,

Thanks for the lead. Welcome to the forum. Did Kowa sell these to the military or is this a commercial scope in a military box?

 

[RonJ]

I have a very similar scope but with a straight eyepiece instead of angled. The finish looks identical. I bought it brand new in the late '70s. It came with two fixed power eyepieces, 48x and 20x. The tripod is identical to yours. It was made in Japan and labeled as a Bushnell Sentry II. The boxes for the eyepieces are exactly like yours and are labeled 20X #78-1120 and 48X #78-1148. Very sharp optically. They only reason I don't use it anymore is the 48X eyepiece has a very narrow field of vision and extremely poor eye relief. If it had the variable eyepiece like yours I'd still be using it. I'd be interested to learn if it was actually made by Kowa.

 

[handejector]

My best guess is just what it looks like- a spotting scope.
Used by a pistol team or rifle team???

 

[Cyrano]

That number on the label: 6650-67?-5627, is an old Federal Stock Number. Perhaps it can be identified from that, if you know someone in the federal logistics system who can look it up for you. We use National Stock Numbers now, the same as the old FSN's but have a national identifier (00 or 01 for the US), after the first four numbers.

 

[NE450No2]

The tripod is a Bushnell, I have one just like it. The 32x eyepiece box is also Bushnell, I have one like it too.

So, I also think the scope is a Bushnell. It has the same exterior finish as my straight eyepiece Bushnell.

 

[45Wheelgun]

The Federal Stock Number resolves to an M48 Scope with tripod and case. Probably what was originally in the box, but that certainly isn't a M48.

I agree that all evidence points to it being a Bushnell. I just wish I could figure out what model .

I have looked at the 70's vintage Bushnells, and while they do look similar, I have yet to find one with a similar shape to the rear.

There is not one manufactures mark anywhere on the scope or the eye pieces. Many of the same period Bushnells show a screwed in (riveted?) name plate. There aren't even holes left over. Many of the Bushnells I saw had their name on the adjustment knob as well as the eye piece.

This scope appears to originally been black or had a black undercoat. In several small places you can see black under the chipped green paint.

Regardless of it's origins, it does work extremely well. Now I just need the weather to break so I can try it out at the range.