USMC Unertl MST-100/150 scope covers

[USMCSGT0331]

The fabric Unertl scope covers are Badger Ordnance reproductions. About a decade ago, a sniper sent Marty an original fabric Unertl scope cover so that repros could be made. Marty got the exact dimensions and fabric type from the original, and he had a soft gear wizard make a handful of these Unertl scope covers (maybe a dozen or less?). Marty sold these to members of the old M40 forum long ago, so there's a few other repro fabric scope covers out there, somewhere. Maybe a few members here have one,. If so, please post some photos! This scope cover is a wrap-around design that's pretty easy to use.

The rubber Unertl scope covers are original USMC surplus, one of them is still in the original bag. The other one is in a ziploc bag, with the label being written by Norm Chandler decades ago (I think this cover is photographed in one of his DFA books). This cover is very easy to use, just slip it over the scope. Over time, the rubber scope covers would weaken and easily tear, so surviving examples like mine are unbelievably rare. I honestly don't even know if there are any others still in existence, these could be the only ones left. If anyone has one of these scope covers, please post a few photos!

Both types of original covers and the reproduction fabric covers are extremely rare. These covers are missing from pretty much all major M40 collections, and I don't even think there's any photos of these scope covers anywhere on the internet. I just wanted to post them here so that everyone has some type of photos and information about these extremely rare USMC Unertl scope covers. Both covers were used on multiple USMC rifles, pretty much any of them that had a Unertl MST-100 or MST-150 scope. M40A1, M40A3, M82A1, M82A3, M14 black DMR (?), etc.

If anyone has any questions or would like to see more photos, please let me know in this thread. This is probably going to be one of my last reference threads, or possibly my last reference thread. I'm out of here after the current MSSHF M40A6 rifle raffle is completed (grab some tickets, it's an unbelievable M40A6 rifle and complete kit!!!). I hope the photos and information here are useful.

Not pictured below is a basic USMC issued boot sock that's cut down the middle, lol. Yes, some Scout Snipers used a sock as a scope cover, and it worked just fine for their needs.

 

[Jrb572]

I have the boot sock cut down the middle scope cover on mine. Cheap and looks way better than when people put butler creek covers on the Unertl's if I get a chance I’ll pull my rifle out of the safe and add a picture to the thread.

 

[Redmanss]

We mostly used socks. We had a couple of the rubber covers, but they tore easily due to dry rot and trapped moisture when new. Those woodland covers look vaguely familiar, but I never had one personally. I did have one of the padded Eagle covers that looked like a big ass envelope and strapped around the stock, didn't care for the bulk and shape of those for the '40 but used it on the Barrett strapped to the ruck.

I did make my own out of isomat, riggers tape and 550 cord, I may even still have it... Basically a box around the scope, 550 cord run through that would wrap hold it on by catching under the ocular and objective lens bodies. It was okay, worked well for keeping rain off the scope but I went back to the sock after a while.

I went through a phase of having a massive amount of shit on my back to be ready for anything, mountain ruck with extra pouches and shit all over, rethought that and shifted to light and fast with a day pack and Rhodesian style chest rig. Dropping 50# of shit was a good thing and much more effective, getting smaller radios was huge too.

But the box scope cover got culled in the gear reduction, way easier to stuff the sock in a pouch or pocket when off the gun than lug any other kind of cover around. KISS.

 

[SGTMAJ]

Never saw the woodland covers, got issues the eagle padded covers while overseas. Other than that used socks. Hated the rubber covers they trapped to much moisture plus they were solid black.