Found old Colt carry-handle Scope

[Ed L.]

Edit update: in the original posting: I originally posted that this optic was blurry & out of focus.

I've now started a new chapter (also titled: Wow, I'm a goof!:haha: )

It turns out that it focuses fine providing the rear lense is unscrewed enough. When I first checked this scope, I just turned the rear focusing ring a little. It turns out that it really needed to be turned a lot and unscrewed to the extent of the photos in post #8 of this thread: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?p=1217772&highlight=ebay#post1217772

Below is the original post:
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Well, I found an old scope that I bought in the early 1980s for the SP-1 that I had at the time. I think I may have put it on the gun once, but for the most part I kept the gun open sighted.

[wrong info]This is a sad thread, because the damn thing does not seem to focus. You can see the crosshairs, but trying to adjust the focus does nothing. Therefore, if you are looking at a brick wall at 100 feet, the bricks are far clearer using the naked eye than the scope.[wrong info]

This was sold as a Colt Scope, but it appears to have been made in Japan (like everything else, I suppose).

Anyway, here are some photos I took today. I have no idea what to do with the damn thing since it doesn't seem to work and I am a straight flat top user.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/edagain/coltscope1.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/edagain/coltscope2.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/edagain/coltscope3.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/edagain/coltscope4.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/edagain/coltscope5.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/edagain/coltscope6.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/edagain/coltscope7.jpg

[g5m]

I have seen some references to these old scopes as 'collectible'.
Maybe some optical repair place could fix the focus problem.
Whether it would be worth it or not would be another question.

[R Moran]

Ed,
I think they were made by Tasco, or whoever makes Tasco scopes for Tasco;)

There was/is a flat top adapter out there, what good it is, got me.

These were cool back in the day, and I remember one or two guys had them on their M16a1's, then a2's, but that was all with the local commanders approval.
Then the ACOG came out, and these fell by the side.

Don't really see a point in them anymore, but I'm sure some Colt collector will take it off your hands. You can show them a rusty nail with the pony on it, and they'll ask "how much?"

Bob

[Ed L.]

I have seen some references to these old scopes as 'collectible'.
Maybe some optical repair place could fix the focus problem.
Whether it would be worth it or not would be another question.

Exactly my thoughts--would it be worth it to repair it. I'm afraid not.


Ed,
I think they were made by Tasco, or whoever makes Tasco scopes for Tasco;)

Don't really see a point in them anymore, but I'm sure some Colt collector will take it off your hands. You can show them a rusty nail with the pony on it, and they'll ask "how much?"


Thanks, Bob. I guess I need to work on finding a bolt collector.

I am not sure if I bought this scope from Marty's place, but I do have a spare bolt & bolt carrier that I bought in the early 1980s from him that defies all explanation, and not in a good way. I will take pictures and post them when I get a chance. Remember, this was back in like 1982 or 1983, before there were a zillion companies making bolts.

[TexSquirrel]

That is a mid-late model Colt 3X that was made in Japan.
Yes, they're collectible.
No they were not made by Tasco, although some of the later scopes were.(Tascorama)
I think they were made by Hakko.(sp?)

More info:here (http://pullig.dyndns.org/retroblackrifle/ModGde/Aces/scopes.html)

[TexSquirrel]

You can show them a rusty nail with the pony on it, and they'll ask "how much?"
If you have an actual Colt nail, I'd be interested in one. ;)

[Amicus]

That is a mid-late model Colt 3X that was made in Japan.
Yes, they're collectible.
No they were not made by Tasco, although some of the later scopes were.(Tascorama)
I think they were made by Hakko.(sp?)

More info:here (http://pullig.dyndns.org/retroblackrifle/ModGde/Aces/scopes.html)

Ed and Tex:

Tex has it right on all counts. They were made by Hakko (now reorganized as Japan Optics Ltd.). Hakko was considered a good middle-of-the-road optics manufacturer in its day. The optical blanks were Japanese and of good quality. I believe (but cannot say for sure) that Hakko actually ground these blanks into lenses, so the QC was fairly good.

They are very collectible among those who put together "retro" carbines and they are getting quite rare. eBay used to have 5-6 on sale at any given time; I can't find one now. Prices generally run from $300 to $500, with higher prices for the 4x models. Of course, box, papers, lens covers all add to value.

A repair may be possible, but the real bitch will be to get the thing properly flushed with nitrogen. This means a real optics company, and that means a bit of money.

Tex. Do you have a cousin named Rocket J.?

[Ed L.]

I updated the first post in the thread to indicate that I figured out how to focus it. The thing wasn't used in years and the rear lense housing was screwed all the way closed. A bit of turning did nothing in terms of focus. It needed this amount of turning to make the images clear:

I originally posted that this optic was blurry & out of focus.

Well, it turns out that it focuses fine providing the rear lense is unscrewed enough. When I first checked this scope, I just turned the rear focusing ring a little. It turns out that it really needed to be turned a lot and unscrewed to the extent of the photos below:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/edagain/coltscope8.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/edagain/coltscope9.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/edagain/coltscope10.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/edagain/coltscope11.jpg

I found this out myself messing with the scope, then went back to this thread and found that TexSquirrel had posted a link to a website that had the actual manual which I do not have for my scope. Either I did not click on the link to download the manual back when TexSquirrel posted it, or they did not have a copy of the manual on the websight at the time. In any event it turns out that the manual had the exact directions I needed on focusing.

http://pullig.dyndns.org/retroblackrifle/files/Colt4x20.pdf


I have not decided to sell it, but if I do I am wondering how much could I get for the whole scope, attached carry handle mount, & box?

I found one on Gunbroker that is missing the box and locking clamp listed at $195, and one is listed on ebay without the box for $400.

thanks

[scottryan]

I would start at $400.

[Ed L.]

Thanks so much, Scott.

Where would you think is a good place to list it?

If it were a modern optic I would try to sell it on the equipment exchange here.

However I am not sure how much traction this would get there.

I mean, where do people who typically buy these type of AR acccessories look?

thanks,

Ed

[scottryan]

Thanks so much, Scott.

Where would you think is a good place to list it?

If it were a modern optic I would try to sell it on the equipment exchange here.

However I am not sure how much traction this would get there.

I mean, where do people who typically buy these type of AR acccessories look?

thanks,

Ed


Gunbroker and ARFCOM

[dudley2112]

damn didnt know they were worth that much, saw a guy and his son using these on they're ARs at a shooting match last summer... were these scopes considered to be any good?

[tfltackdriver]

damn didnt know they were worth that much, saw a guy and his son using these on they're ARs at a shooting match last summer... were these scopes considered to be any good?

I believe the value has less to do with quality than it does in the fact they are as old as I am and say "Colt" on the tube, condition, box, etc.

Is that right, though, with the lens unscrewed that far? Having that much thread exposed would make me worry.

[Ed L.]

Thanks again, Scott.


Is that right, though, with the lens unscrewed that far? Having that much thread exposed would make me worry.

That is what threw me off at first.

It is the way according to the manual and it is the only way I can get it to have a clear picture.

[4thPointOfContact]

I have the same scope and I'm wondering...

When you focused it, what range did you do it at?
I was looking at the house down the street from me (c. 100yrds or more) and mine isn't unscrewed half that much.
Were you at a closer range?

[Ed L.]

1. It was only about 25 yards away.

2, It depends on your individual eyesight.