For anyone curious about what's happening inside a rifle scope, but is also intimidated by the cutaways of modern scopes, Popular Mechanics is your friend. Through the magic of the internet, we can look back on a time when commercial sporting optics were a rarity. Back then, if you wanted something done, you might just have to do it yourself.
Popular Mechanics article on books.google.com
This article is a little thin on definitions for some of the terminology related to the job of each component, but those generally familiar will be able to follow along. It must be said that these designs are very rudimentary. Still, they help to visualize the job of a rifle scope as it handles the light traveling through it.
Reading this, and other more advanced publications has given me an appreciation for the complexity and effort put into designing and building modern scopes.
Observations to note:
These are fixed power scopes, and so only have 5 lenses (that all appear to be doublets). Modern variable power scopes usually have 7-8, and can incorporate apochromatic triplets.
At least one of these designs lacks windage and elevation adjustments, and will require a vernier or Unertl style external adjustment to zero.
Disclaimer: I'm no expert, just curious about these things. Feel free to discuss.
Popular Mechanics article on books.google.com
This article is a little thin on definitions for some of the terminology related to the job of each component, but those generally familiar will be able to follow along. It must be said that these designs are very rudimentary. Still, they help to visualize the job of a rifle scope as it handles the light traveling through it.
Reading this, and other more advanced publications has given me an appreciation for the complexity and effort put into designing and building modern scopes.
Observations to note:
These are fixed power scopes, and so only have 5 lenses (that all appear to be doublets). Modern variable power scopes usually have 7-8, and can incorporate apochromatic triplets.
At least one of these designs lacks windage and elevation adjustments, and will require a vernier or Unertl style external adjustment to zero.
Disclaimer: I'm no expert, just curious about these things. Feel free to discuss.
