Originally Posted by
Randy A
How it actually went was Lyman was to provide the original scopes which were the Alaskan (deemed the M73). Lyman got their glass from Bausch and Lomb who was neck deep in contracts. Since this stalled Lyman's response US Ordnance turned to Weaver who scrambled to gather the numbers of 330C's to meet the demand (hence the B1 suffix on the noumenclature, M73B1 it was a substitute). Plans were left in place to accommodate the M73 (Lyman Alaskan) which is obvious with the step and bevel on the tail of the Redfield base. This step and bevel is necessary only for the ocular bell and lock ring of the Lyman Alaskan and serves no purpose or necessity with the M73B1/ weaver 330. Of course we all know Lyman eventually got their feet under them and started providing scopes but the M1D had been developed and most were seen first on the M1D while trickling onto the 1903A4 scene. Although unofficial, I believe the reason for the different mounenclature on the M1D (M81 and M82) was because of the eyecup and sun shade which were not features of the former M73 in the 1903A4 application.
The Weaver 330 S and a couple similar other models (29S and 329??) was actually purchased in numbers for bore sighting application in artillery and anti aircraft systems, but as previously stated, never used on sniper rifles.