Italian BM59 sniper - info request re optic and mount info

[Random Guy]

Random question: Does anyone know anything about the odd-ball Italian BM59 rifle with a sniper/DMR scope? I have seen a couple of old pics from probably the 1980s or maybe early 1990s of BM59 paratrooper rifles with some sort of sniper/DMR scope set-up. (See pics #1 and #2). However, I have not been able to find out any info (and I don't speak/read Italian to really research this topic). My guess it's likely a 4x (or maybe 6x) fixed scope, but hard to tell from the attached pics. I think it was off-set to allow top-loading via 5-rd charger/striper clips.

At some point in the mid-to-late 1980s it appears that Springfield Armory Inc may have offered an offset scope mount for the BM59 rifles that they imported in that era. I have only seen one such set-up from an old auction of an SAI BM59 paratrooper (see pics #3 and #4). It used the SAI commercial 3-9x "ART IV" scope, but I don't know if the mount was the same as the military version. I have a BM59 project underway (see last pic) and I thought it would be neat to find the proper scope mount for this project. (That said, a BM59 is only a 2.5 to 3 MOA battle rifle, so a 'sniper' version is a bit silly, but wanted to see if anyone on this forum had any info regarding the optic and mount). Any anecdotal info re the scope or mount is much appreciated.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Springfield Auto Ranging Telescope (ART), 3-9x40.

Paging @buffalowinter or @sirhrmechanic for more info possibly

 

[sirhrmechanic]

I have an ARTII on an M1A, but I think BuffaloWinter is the go-to here.

I think there is another guy who knows them, but I can't recall who. Doing a search on BM59 probably brings up an old thread.

Cool rifles! Wish I had bought one back in the '80's when noone wanted one. They are spendy today!

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[buffalowinter]

I don't believe this was ever an issue item. The scope mount is an S&K. Pic's of the soldiers with the scope may be private purchase. I mounted my own civilian scope on my weapon whie in SF.

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[Random Guy]

I don't believe this was ever an issue item. The scope mount is an S&K. Pic's of the soldiers with the scope may be private purchase. I mounted my own civilian scope on my weapon while in SF.

Thanks for that info. That makes sense, as the concept of an official 'sniper' or Designated Marksman using a BM59 creates a bit of cognitive dissonance.
So, I'll hunt down the old S&K mount (with I imagine it has some terrible ergonomics). On edit: I found the website and ordered one of those S&K mounts. Probably not the best quality, but that's okay for this project. Just need to figure out what scope to use....

 

[packratt]

Hi Lux has 2 versions of the old ART series of scopes.

 

[Random Guy]

The mystery mount question has been solved, and an S&K mount is on the way...
As a follow-up re the mystery scope in question, upon careful examination of pic #1, I think the reflection pattern of the rear ocular suggests it might be a somewhat flat surface. (see white arrow). If that surmise is correct, it's one of the old Redfield 'Widefield' scopes that were popular in the 1970s-1980s. They made some with a round front objective bell, but with an 'oblong' shaped rear ocular that Redfield claimed provided a 30% wider field of view. To the best of my knowledge, Redfield was the only manufacturer who made scopes with oblong-shaped oculars that were somewhat flat on the top surface.

As for the Italian solider, my guess is that Buffalowinter is correct, it was likely a private purchase Redfield scope, either fixed 4x (see attached pics) or possibly a 3-9x Redfield. These Redfield scopes were fairly popular back in the day, and are pretty easy to find on eBay, in case I want to mimic that rifle for my project. Just a follow-up to close the loop on the odd-ball BM59 scope set-up seen in those two vintage pics that I posted on this thread.