Redfield 3-9x40 scope - pre AR TEL?

Recently purchased this Redfield 3-9x40 scope from an estate sale, unfortunately without mount. It was in an online auction and pretty bad pictured, I though thought it shouldn't be this bad since it had a CAM ring on it. I by the way did ask the seller on possibly a mount and showed AR-TEL M14 scope mounts, but he didn't find one.



I fail to find a comparable scope to this. Can anyone let me know what this really is? My Redfield AR TEL marked scope may have the same content written on the CAM ring, but actually in a different way and without the dots. Is this "just" an early commercial Redfield pressed to military service, or a commercial made to look like a military scope?


Also odd, the serial is re-engraved to the side of the elevation turret, I assume since when on the mount tough to read? What was the lowest serial encountered with those?



Edit: if it matters, I filled the markings on the CAM with a white crayon to make them better readable in pictures.

The reticle is interesting, looks like the rangerfinders we had in the C79 ELCAN that would be used for men.

I believe it's a copy. The few AR TEL scopes I've seen were stamped AR TEL on the turret flat, were flat black, and had four digit serial numbers. Could have been used at Camp Perry possibly for matches but hopefully someone who knows more will come along shortly.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

The reticle is interesting, looks like the rangerfinders we had in the C79 ELCAN that would be used for men.

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It is the same reticle as my AR TEL scope has and for what I know is standard for AR TEL scopes.

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Originally Posted by Sapper740

I believe it's a copy. The few AR TEL scopes I've seen were stamped AR TEL on the turret flat, were flat black, and had four digit serial numbers. Could have been used at Camp Perry possibly for matches but hopefully someone who knows more will come along shortly.

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To my understanding there were pre AR TEL designation commercial scopes also used. But I would not know how to tell the difference from a commercial one to one that is pressed to military service.


For what its worth, attached two pictures of my AR TEL scope, to allow comparison.

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Originally Posted by Promo

It is the same reticle as my AR TEL scope has and for what I know is standard for AR TEL scopes.


To my understanding there were pre AR TEL designation commercial scopes also used. But I would not know how to tell the difference from a commercial one to one that is pressed to military service.


For what its worth, attached two pictures of my AR TEL scope, to allow comparison.

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Civilians love to purchase military equipment for their firearms so it wouldn't surprise me if Redfield offered a civilian version of their military AR TEL scopes to the public. Just look at all the manufacturers making ACOGs and ACOG clones.

I’d ask on the M14 forums. There a couple of guys who would probably be able to help.

I had posted it on the m14forum anyway some days ago. Yesterday someone very knowledgeable over there identified my scope as being one of 65 scopes which are "so-called second generation or “transitional” Redfield scope that was part of a batch of prototypes made in 1968 for initial field testing". Unfortunately the mount was unique too in that they were stamped "USALWL" (US Army Limited Warfare Laboratory) along with "CAL. 7.62-M14". Well, who knows, maybe one day one of these mounts will turn up.

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Originally Posted by Promo

I had posted it on the m14forum anyway some days ago. Yesterday someone very knowledgeable over there identified my scope as being one of 65 scopes which are "so-called second generation or “transitional” Redfield scope that was part of a batch of prototypes made in 1968 for initial field testing". Unfortunately the mount was unique too in that they were stamped "USALWL" (US Army Limited Warfare Laboratory) along with "CAL. 7.62-M14". Well, who knows, maybe one day one of these mounts will turn up.

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Sounds like you've got an interesting bit of military history there Promo.