US Scopes - what the heck are M72, M74 scopes? Any opinions on the Stith-Kollmorgen 4XD?

[jbarn_1999]

As I was looking at some copies from "SNIPER - A HISTORY OF THE US MARKSMAN" some questions arose:

I saw that scopes listed for the 1903A1/A4 are: Unertl or Fecker 8x, Weaver 330, Lyman Alaskan, M72, M74, M82, M84
I have heard and know at least a little about every scope on the list except for the M72 and M74.
Has anyone ever heard of them? If so, are they based on a civilian scope as the Weaver 330/Lyman Alaskan or Government built derivative of the M84? I have found that these series of scopes do not have much info posted on them. The only snippet I have seen is on the Fulton Armory site about the M84.

Does anyone have any exposure/experience with the Stith-Kollmorgen 4XD? Were they used on both the M1C and M1D? Is there any rhyme or reason as to the serial number/configuration rifles that they were used on? How are they in comparison with the M84 (I know they are a higher magnification, how about quality?)

These may be a simple answers, but thought it would drum up a conversation about these scopes.

-JDB

 

[kraigWY]

The h-Kollmorgen 4XD is listed as a non-issue scope for the M1C/D, as was the Lyman Alaskan, meaning it was used, but no normal issued. Kind of like the Weaver K2.5 for the M1903a4.

The M73B1 is listed for the '03a4's, don't know about the M72/M74s, never heard of them.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

I used to work with Kollmorgen Electro-optics in Northhampton... and there is a neat story behind the Kollmorgen scopes. The company was the maker of submarine periscopes back to the beginning of the US Navy sub service. In 1945... all orders dried up. No more. Done. The Navy had plenty of subs and Rickover's nuc Navy was a few years out. Kollmorgen knew better times were ahead, but how to keep their workforce together? The answer... make anything they could to 'keep the doors open' until orders started coming back in. This included things like glass ashtrays... and sportsmen rifle scopes.

After finding this out, I went out and bought my first Kollmorgen scope. I still have it. It's on my Sako Finnbear deer rifle. It's a 'dot' only scope and it is unbelieveably well-made with amazing glass/clarity. I have a couple more, including on a Pre-64 Mod 70. Also amazing scopes. They were probably made at a loss... but they helped Kollmorgen keep their doors open. And are still amazing scopes.

FYI, if you are ever driving down 91 S. through Northhampton, Ma... look West and you will see a really tall thin building. Pale blue now, I think. That's where every periscope since about 1919 has been set up and tested before shipping. Wave at them. They may be watching you drive by through a new Periscope that is sticking up in that building.

And if you can get one of their scopes for a fair price... you won't be disappointed. FYI, I think they were bought out, ultimately, by Weaver.

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[Anvil_X]

I used to work with Kollmorgen Electro-optics in Northhampton... and there is a neat story behind the Kollmorgen scopes. The company was the maker of submarine periscopes back to the beginning of the US Navy sub service. In 1945... all orders dried up. No more. Done. The Navy had plenty of subs and Rickover's nuc Navy was a few years out. Kollmorgen knew better times were ahead, but how to keep their workforce together? The answer... make anything they could to 'keep the doors open' until orders started coming back in. This included things like glass ashtrays... and sportsmen rifle scopes.

After finding this out, I went out and bought my first Kollmorgen scope. I still have it. It's on my Sako Finnbear deer rifle. It's a 'dot' only scope and it is unbelieveably well-made with amazing glass/clarity. I have a couple more, including on a Pre-64 Mod 70. Also amazing scopes. They were probably made at a loss... but they helped Kollmorgen keep their doors open. And are still amazing scopes.

FYI, if you are ever driving down 91 S. through Northhampton, Ma... look West and you will see a really tall thin building. Pale blue now, I think. That's where every periscope since about 1919 has been set up and tested before shipping. Wave at them. They may be watching you drive by through a new Periscope that is sticking up in that building.

And if you can get one of their scopes for a fair price... you won't be disappointed. FYI, I think they were bought out, ultimately, by Weaver.

Cheers,

Sirhr

those dudes made the optical set-ups for my CFV, and they have the largest rental value on the Northampton-themed Monopoly board.

So how does one go about aquiring one of their scopes? just dig?

 

[sirhrmechanic]

There are about 6 on eBay right now... including one with an M1 mount. And a drab one.

The nice thing about the Kollmorgens... even if they are dirty and the seals are bad, they are worth rebuilding. Any good weaver specialist or optics shop can dismantle, re-seal, lube, etc. Not cheap.... but the end product is worth it.

Cheers,

Sirhr