Unertl 20X scope,clear optics,nice shape with rings and caps for sale by First Stop Gun on GunsAmerica - 906893694.
Some day, barring accidental loss, the Lyman records may again become available, as they were (for a fee) when Gil Parsons, who acquired them from Lyman, was alive. At the present time, his elderly widow is simply sitting on them, declining either to sell them or make them available. Unertl's records had already been 'lost' well before the company closed its doors for good. They'd been 'put in storage' at the time of their last change of location I was told in the early '80s. (Rather unbelievably for such a long established company, all their previous factory spaces had been leased, according to Elsie Unertl.). I have a Lyman Super Targetspot which I ordered a research letter for from Parson's in 2006. The letter gives the following information: Super Targetspot, Serial #9741, 20 power, manufactured 6/27/1951,.0007 standard crosswire, date researched 9/20/06.
Unertl Scope Date Of Manufacture
Unertl (Vulture) 10x43 Rifle Scope - High Condition (No Box) Description: All aspects of this fine scope are in very good condition. The scope measures slightly over 16' and has a 1' tube. The lenses are bright and clear with no deformities. Fine cross hair reticle. Metal caps for windage and elevation adjustments. Excellent craftsmanship. Many rifle scopes from Unertl feature the standard crosshair design of two intersecting lines. In some cases, fine crosshairs with thinner lines around the border are available. Buying used Unertl scopes. EBay sells a range of mint and pre-owned Unertl scopes. In most cases, a used scope is in good working order.
When I received the letter I was kind of surprised by the date of manufacture, I assumed the scope was produced a little earlier maybe 1946-48. I have always wondered if Lyman manufactured each model of Targetspot with its own serial number sequence, or were they were all numbered in the same sequence? I am also curious if anybody has an idea of the break point for pre-war vs. Post-war serial numbers in the Targetspot series? Anybody know? Regards, Tom. Tom in michigan said I have always wondered if Lyman manufactured each model of Targetspot with its own serial number sequence, or were they were all numbered in the same sequence?
I am also curious if anybody has an idea of the break point for pre-war vs. Post-war serial numbers in the Targetspot series? Anybody know? Regards, Tom Very good question about the serial number sequence, and now that Parsons is not around to answer it, it may be difficult to find out for sure; don't waste your breath asking the folks now running dear the old Lyman company! It's easier, however, to distinguish between pre- and post-war scopes of all makes: lens coatings (developed in Germany) became a big selling point right after the war, so a bluish reflection on the lens probably means post-war. 'Probably,' only because many optical companies began hyping coating services right after the war; a '48 Unertl catalog I have devotes about 10 pages to promoting their coating service for anything optical--binoculars, camera lenses, etc. I have many pre-war Lyman catalogs, but no post-war, so I don't know if they were doing the same, but I suspect so.
Tom in michigan said I have a Lyman Super Targetspot which I ordered a research letter for from Parson's in 2006. The letter gives the following information: Super Targetspot, Serial #9741, 20 power, manufactured 6/27/1951,.0007 standard crosswire, date researched 9/20/06. When I received the letter I was kind of surprised by the date of manufacture, I assumed the scope was produced a little earlier maybe 1946-48.
I have always wondered if Lyman manufactured each model of Targetspot with its own serial number sequence, or were they were all numbered in the same sequence? I am also curious if anybody has an idea of the break point for pre-war vs. Post-war serial numbers in the Targetspot series?
Anybody know? Regards, Tom tom, The Parson letter you have for your 'Super Targetspot, Serial #9741, 20 power, manufactured 6/27/1951' truly has me baffled over these scopes and their serial numbering. For example, a Senich reference citing Gil Parson/De Le Fortrie Collection for a 20 power Super Targetspot scope was furnished by Lyman in 1949 to the USMC.and the serial number shown for it is 1752 (I'm thinking that the fifth and last number was cropped from the picture). On a later page, another 20 power Super Tragetspot serial numbered scope 17515 (cited as circa 1949, also) is shown as being USMC Property. These two scopes are most likely from the same 1949 order, IMO. I've also wondered about how Lyman serially numbered their scopes and I'm thinking it was by the model. Like Clarence mentioned, it might be difficult to find out now that Parson is not around.
Classic Unertl Scopes
Unertl scopes from the 1950s and 60s era were probably the prominent target scope made in that era. They would produce target scopes from the 8 power to 24 powers, and I considered them a great line of target scopes.
I had the pleasure of shooting a few Remington 40x target rifles and also a few Winchester 52 target rifles that were mounted with the Unertl target scopes.
I had two Remington model 40x target guns with 24 power scopes that a gentleman brought into our shop in Northeast Pennsylvania for us to sell. They were both from the 1950s era and were in really top notch condition.
I remember taking one of those two Remington rifles to my in-laws farm and shooting squirrels and chipmunks with those rifles. Because the guns were so heavy there was absolutely no recoil and with the 24 power scopes the squirrels looked like the size of bears in the scope.
I could shoot and watch everything that happened. You could litterly shoot the toes off those squirrels. Shooting those guns was an experience I will never forget and it was quite enjoyable.
Unertl scopes are still very usable today and can be a good investment especially if you can find them mounted on the Remington 40x or Winchester 52 target rifles.
Unertl Scope Instruction Book
Those combinations are great for taking your kids out and teaching them how to shoot. It would be a very pleasurable experience for them and yourself as well.
One of the drawbacks with the Unertl optics is how it had an effect on the collectability of certain firearms.
They were very long and because of the length of the scope many gunsmiths of that era would drill and tap holes for the scope mount into the barrel by the rear sight. It did not happen often but you do see them that way from time to time.
Some of the nice Winchester pre-64 70s in 22 hornet or 220 swift would have this style mount installed and it does affect the guns value.
The Unertl optic company would produce some rifle hunting scopes in the 1950’s. But they would not be as desirable as the target scopes in that period. I do not remember many Unertl hunting scopes coming thru the shops I worked in over the years. But I would think the Unertl hunting scopes would be very desirable. Not many were made.
The best way to buy a Unertl scope is when it is already installed on a classic firearm. They just give the firearm a very distinct look that only adds to the firearms character. Just keep an eye on the mounting of the scope and that no extra holes are added to the rifle.