FN Mauser Scope Recommendations

[Maia007]

I just bought a 1952 vintage FN Mauser (factory) in .257 Robts that I need outfitted with a "period appropriate" scope. We're talking 1950-1969 or so approximate. A classy gun deserves a classy scope. Definitely no 80's-90's or imported third world offerings for this fine piece. Would prefer variable but I am not "fixed" on that. 1" rings are already mounted.

The Weaver K4 or maybe one of the Redfields comes to mind. I am looking for Quality used, with the emphasis on Quality. Quality optics. I am also thinking ebay in terms of Used.

I intend to use the rifle for modest range (under 150 yd) deer even though I know the cartridge can do quite a bit better.

Recommendations? So, hey...who made the best scope....back in the day.....that's really the point of this thread. Model specificity is being sought here.

Thanks guys.

 

[PzGren]

The quality of Zeiss/Hensoldt was known to be first class. Kahles and Swarovski were also above average. Unfortunately, that is still refelcted in used prices.

Swarovski Tirol Habicht 6


a couple of Hensoldt 4x32 on Anschütz mounts:

 

[shootr]

First, congrats on a sweet rifle. I was fortunate enough to find one years ago in 30-06. It is a sweet-shooter and very accurate. I went with a modern scope - older Burris 3 X 9 in Warne QR rings. Only downside is I'm pushing 10 lbs and change.

 

[dogngun]

I have a '43 Spanish Mauser 98 sporterized in the '60's.

It was re-barreled in .243.
I recently added a 2 x 7 Redfield, an old one, made in Colorado. I found it in a shop and could not pass it up. Great combination.


mark

 

[Maverick223]

None of the vintage or antique scopes can come close to a decent modern scope. At best the high end antique scope will be as nice as a low to moderate scope recently made. I would choose something that is classically styled but made recently so you get the best of both worlds; IMO a gloss finished scope is the best way to achieve the classy period look. That is what I did on two of my Mausers. I put a gloss Leupold VX-3 (1.5-5x20mm) on my .375H&H express rifle, and a gloss Nikon Monarch (3-10x42mm) on my 6mmRem. Both have better optics than the best vintage/antique scopes (coatings being the problem with these) while still maintaining a good look and similar price. FWIW, I believe the Leupold, whilst a bit overpriced, is a better match for the look you are striving for; it is pictured below on said Mauser:

 

[PzGren]

Maverick,

do you speak from experience? Have you tried the scopes that I have posted about? They are not exactly antique but maybe vintage and inmho they can stand up to any Nikon scope that I tried.

At night they still give a great view and compared to a Nikon they will not give you the terrible tunnel view. I have tried a few scopes* and when the poster mentioned that he was looking for a period correct scope, the ones that I showed came to my mind.


*and with that I mean on the choicest of rifles of my affluent friends

 

[Maverick223]

do you speak from experience? Have you tried the scopes that I have posted about?

I do, I had the same thoughts for a build that I was working on a while back. I looked through a great many older optics (don't believe that Kahles was amongst them, but Zeiss and Swaro definitely were). They have glass comparable to todays high end glass, but the coatings just aren't up to par, so you end up with distortion, glare, and low light problems. If you were to go through the expense and trouble of having one re-coated with modern multi-coatings then you would undoubtedly end up with comparable quality, but I wasn't willing to forgo the time and expense to accomplish that.

As far as the Weavers and Redfields, they aren't as repeatable, have lesser quality glass (when compared to yesterdays or modern moderate-high end glass), and have the same coating problems mentioned above.

Edited to add: your Swaro appears to be a more recent vintage, so it may have better coatings than the ones that I peered through...how old is it?

 

[PzGren]

I guess that the Swarovski is from the 70s, I got it for free from a German friend who got a big Zeiss Diavari that gives a better view at night.

The Hensoldt Diasta is from the 1960s and can still compete with top end modern 4x32 glasses, the Diatal is from the 1970s and is also a really good, solid scope with great lenses and offers equally good view in low light as the 6x40 Swarovski. The only downside to the Diatal is, that is has an aluminium body and the Z rail.

I found the Diasta 4x32 to be quite a bit better at night than the Nikon Pro Staff in 4x32 and much better during the day.

Pre-war glasses are a different deal, though. If you ever have the chance to really test the scopes at night, or at least in low light, you might be amazed how well those old premier scopes are still comparing today.

 

[dirtyjim]

el paso weavers , lymans and early leupolds would be correct for your rifle.
about 6 months back i sold a near mint non-adjustable leupold 4x with leupold adjust-mounts for a fn mauser for $250.

 

[Maverick223]

PzGren, i'm not trying to rag on your gear, just pointing out the optical advances. You are absolutely right that they are all miles ahead of anything from the pre-war years. Everything is a compromise, it just depends upon what you want the most (period look, usefulness, or value/economy).