Along with my interest in a lot of old S&W firearms, I also collect old 1800's single shot rifles, and old target scopes too. A number of old Ballard scheutzen rifles I've purchased over the decades had nice old target scopes on them already, and I found myself looking for more whenever I was somewhere I saw them. Prices in the last 20 years have gone nuts, but occasionally I still find a bargain at an auction, or gun show.
Recently bought two old scopes at a show in Colorado a few weeks ago that were very cheap, and good finds. One is an inexpensive Wollensak scope that has perfect optics, and a lot of it's original Japan finish too. It had micrometer rear mounts that I rarely see on a Wollensak, so that was a big plus. I use these scopes on my old guns that have target bases, so nice to have the micrometer adjustment.
At the same show during setup I spotted a very old Wm. Malcolm scope that should date to one of his earliest from pre Civil War, or during the war. Same scope used on Union Army Sharps rifles by the Berdan Sharpshooters! It's got all the correct mounts with 3/8" dovetail bases front and rear. The nice Malcolm micrometer elevator rear, and windage front mounts too. It was 1/3rd of what I usually see them on rare occasions when they do show up! A no brainer to buy.
Since the show I discovered and purchased another very rare and unique rifle scope that just arrived yesterday. This scope was made by famed Denver, Co. custom gunsmith Axel W Peterson while he and George C. Schoyen shared a shop. Both Schoyen and Peterson worked for Carlos Gove who was the largest gun dealer West of the Mississippi in the late 1800's. After Gove retired in 1889 Schoyen bought the business, and Peterson worked for or with Schoyen. Both men collaborated on guns and accessories they designed, but Peterson took to making target scopes by himself. His scopes are extremely rare, and I've seen very few, and even less of them for sale. They used externally adjusted mounts mostly, but he did successfully design and build one that adjusted for windage and elevation in his bases, but had fine adjustment for elevation internally by use of a center adjustment ring! Only seen two of those, and I just bought one of them! The tube is 3/4" on the back half, and 7/8" on the front objective half to allow more light into the scope. This one also has it's original brass lens dust covers for both ends!
Recently bought two old scopes at a show in Colorado a few weeks ago that were very cheap, and good finds. One is an inexpensive Wollensak scope that has perfect optics, and a lot of it's original Japan finish too. It had micrometer rear mounts that I rarely see on a Wollensak, so that was a big plus. I use these scopes on my old guns that have target bases, so nice to have the micrometer adjustment.
At the same show during setup I spotted a very old Wm. Malcolm scope that should date to one of his earliest from pre Civil War, or during the war. Same scope used on Union Army Sharps rifles by the Berdan Sharpshooters! It's got all the correct mounts with 3/8" dovetail bases front and rear. The nice Malcolm micrometer elevator rear, and windage front mounts too. It was 1/3rd of what I usually see them on rare occasions when they do show up! A no brainer to buy.
Since the show I discovered and purchased another very rare and unique rifle scope that just arrived yesterday. This scope was made by famed Denver, Co. custom gunsmith Axel W Peterson while he and George C. Schoyen shared a shop. Both Schoyen and Peterson worked for Carlos Gove who was the largest gun dealer West of the Mississippi in the late 1800's. After Gove retired in 1889 Schoyen bought the business, and Peterson worked for or with Schoyen. Both men collaborated on guns and accessories they designed, but Peterson took to making target scopes by himself. His scopes are extremely rare, and I've seen very few, and even less of them for sale. They used externally adjusted mounts mostly, but he did successfully design and build one that adjusted for windage and elevation in his bases, but had fine adjustment for elevation internally by use of a center adjustment ring! Only seen two of those, and I just bought one of them! The tube is 3/4" on the back half, and 7/8" on the front objective half to allow more light into the scope. This one also has it's original brass lens dust covers for both ends!
