Lyman Alaskan scope

[jisii]

I'm not sure where to post this question but I am most familiar with the folks on the 03 forum so here goes!
I attended a local estate auction this morning and was able to purchase a Lyman Alaskan scope with G&H mount for the staggering sum of $9.00! It shows some finish wear but the optics look great! I was told this scope was previously installed on a 50s vintage commercial Mauser. I am a little familiar with the Alaskan scopes as I have a "B" prefix Alaskan on my Korea rebuild vintage M1C sniper Garand. However, this one (see PIC) has no prefix on the serial no. and has the post type retical. It is marked as noted on the picture collage.


I was wondering if anyone has any idea when this one was made???

Also, this scope has finish wear on both ends and on the adjustment turrets: any ideas on how the finish might be restored???

Thanks in advance for any info offered.

Information

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[mark1]

Nice find for $9.00. The B prefix were used by the military. Some say the A prefix were also used, but there is no evidence of that. If you don't need the mount, sell it on Ebay. Should bring around $150 to $200.

[JGaynor]

There are several guys who rebuild old scopes who might be able to do a refinish for you. However, unless you have a mint, period rifle to install it on refinishing might be a bad move.
You might offer the scope and mount for sale or trade to one of the members who specilializes in vintage sporters.
In any case you made quite a deal!

Regards,

Jim

[Jim Tarleton]

Great deal you got there. You get the "Rabbit in the Hat" award for the month!

Jim

[jisii]

Thanks much for the responses guys! I'm not sure what I will do with it just yet. I recognized the scope and mount as an old classic of the 40s or early 50s and, apparently, no one else at the auction did. I don't have the tooling or expertise to mount it on a rifle myself but I have a project I acquired recently, a cut down (23" barrel and butchered stock) 1917 dated all matching numbered DWM Gewehr 98 8x57mm which it may end up installed on. The bore on this old-timer looks virtually new and range testing of this old mauser indicates minute of angle accuracy with the original barrel and with my fairly hot handloads. I need to find a gunsmith in my little town who can mount it for me.
Thanks again for the help but I'm still curious as to when the scope dates to.

[cwo4uscgret]

jisii - my Lyman Alaskan's serial number is 6713 - 40 before yours! Mine came on a Remington Model 81 in .300 Savage.

[JGaynor]

I was wondering if anyone has any idea when this one was made???

Also, this scope has finish wear on both ends and on the adjustment turrets: any ideas on how the finish might be restored???

Thanks in advance for any info offered.

I recently came by an article from the fall 2004 GCA Journal that said Alaskan commercial serial numbers were about 4900 in 1943. The same article started that some GI parts have been observed in commercial Alaskans in the 6000 serial raange. More than likely your scope was made in the late 40's early 50's.

Regards,

Jim

[jmoore]

Another (rare) military application is the Canadian No.4 Mk.I*(TP) sniper rifle. Try a post in the Lee-Enfield forum to see if the S/N is of appropriate range. (It seems to me not a bad # for one.) The post reticle is more desirable than the plain cross hairs.