Spotting scope for long-range work.

[marlinman93]

Our monthly collector gun show was this morning, and I came home with a "new" spotting scope and tripod! The scope is a French Selci 36x from 1890, with perfect optics! The tripod is a British item from the same era.
The tripod will need two steel points on the end of two legs, as it's only got one. I may build three, so they all match, and look the same.





Might not be quite as good as my modern Kowa, but sure will look cooler at our long-range shoots!

[Butzbach]

So have you started on the widow's peak for your home?

[marlinman93]

So have you started on the widow's peak for your home?

Afraid I have no idea what you're talking about.

[MUSTANG]

Marlinman93

He's referring to a Widows Walk

Attachment 290827

Supposed origin of design was that New England Wives (and Widows) would stand on the Railed Roof looking over the Ocean for their Husband Sea Captains return.

[marlinman93]

Marlinman93

He's referring to a Widows Walk

Attachment 290827

Supposed origin of design was that New England Wives (and Widows) would stand on the Railed Roof looking over the Ocean for their Husband Sea Captains return.

Thanks! I've heard of a "widow's walk", but a "widow's peak" is a hairline, so confused me.

[uscra112]

Fabulous! Some guys have all the luck!

[sharps4590]

How flippin' cool izzat!?!?!?! If someone doesn't love vintage stuff.....well, there's something morally deficient in them....lol. No, not really but, modern stuff definitely lacks the elegance and character of vintage stuff.

[marlinman93]

Probably wont be quite as easy to use as my Kowa spotting scope, but shooting 1800's long range BP rifles just seems like a scope like this is more appropriate to use. I'm sure the guys at the gun club will enjoy seeing and using it too.

[Green Frog]

OK Vall, now you’ve gotta lay on your back to shoot your Ballard in 44-70 with the tang sight mounted on the heel of the butts stock. Don’t forget to wax your handlebar mustache and have your derby hat freshly blocked and brushed.

Froggie

[marlinman93]

OK Vall, now you’ve gotta lay on your back to shoot your Ballard in 44-70 with the tang sight mounted on the heel of the butts stock. Don’t forget to wax your handlebar mustache and have your derby hat freshly blocked and brushed.

Froggie

First I'd need to own a Ballard in .44-70 Charlie! I do own a #7 Ballard Long-Range rifle in .44-100, but it isn't set up for the heel sight position. So I'd just have to assume the back position instead.
Or I can use my original Remington Creedmoor in .44-77 SBN, which is set up with the base in the heel location!

[Green Frog]

Whatever! We would all love to see pictures of our favorite Ballard-ista all gussied up in period clothing and contorting himself into one of the classic Creedmoor positions. I’ll print out a copy for the inside of my shooting box top!

Your Phriendly Phrog

[OS OK]

Very cool spotting scope!

[GARD72977]

That is a awsome piece of vintage gear. How good are the optics?

[marlinman93]

That is a awsome piece of vintage gear. How good are the optics?

As I mentioned, they are excellent! Not as good as my modern Kowa in 45x, but I wouldn't expect that. But still plenty good to spot hits on dingers at 1000 yds. If shooting paper at the same distance, I'm not sure even my Kowa would see holes?

[marlinman93]

Very cool spotting scope!

Thanks!
I recently acquired a 18"x25" of that same drawing from a friend at our gun show. He also had a print of the American Creedmoor team photo, and a drawing of the American Creedmoor trophy that was designed and built by Tiffany's in New York. All in the same 18"x25" size. I need to get all three prints framed so I can hang them in my gun room.

[Green Frog]

I’d hate to be the guy in the fore front of this picture. Shooting one of those big boomers from a regular prone position looks like cruisin’ for a bruisin’! Those period scopes show just how well you did getting yours. When you get the prints framed and hung on your gun room wall, you’ll have a great place to display the scope and stand as well.

Froggie

[marlinman93]

I’d hate to be the guy in the fore front of this picture. Shooting one of those big boomers from a regular prone position looks like cruisin’ for a bruisin’! Those period scopes show just how well you did getting yours. When you get the prints framed and hung on your gun room wall, you’ll have a great place to display the scope and stand as well.

Froggie

I would love that Charlie, but with my safes, loading bench, gun cases, shelving, and ammo lockers; I can maybe find wall space for the pictures. But actually opening up this tripod and displaying it in the gun room can't happen.
I do have a small French table top tripod for this same scope, and they are much more rare than the scope, or the tall tripods. I use the small tripod when we have our annual collector gun show here, as part of my Creedmoor display. It can sit on the table and take up very little space.

I read that John Bodine shot just as the guy in the forefront did, and even back then observers were surprised he did shoot prone. But his last shot in the prone position, with a badly cut hand, actually won the first Creedmoor Match for the US!

[John Boy]

Vall, it’s called Stepping Back into Time. That’s why I reload 22rf’s with black powder too
Congratulations on your new scope

[marlinman93]

Vall, it’s called Stepping Back into Time. That’s why I reload 22rf’s with black powder too
Congratulations on your new scope

Thanks John!
I'm currently taking a step in reloading and shooting I swore I'd never take. Beginning my foray into loading BP. Of course a bad time to do so with the lack of BP available, but I have good friends who provided me a couple pounds of Old Ensford to get started.
I'm as green as anyone could be at BP, but I want to shoot my recently acquired Remington Creedmoor rifle with the same thing it was originally fired with when it was new in 1873.
So I'm gathering up wads, powder, and the most important part....information! I have a few friends who are well versed in shooting BP, and are very helpful with the last part. So soon I'll be launching my first loads down range, and hope they are accurate enough to shoot in our long range BPCR matches here.

[shutinlead]

Vall,
I gave in and picked one of them up at the C-Springs show, took it out and tried it a week or so ago. My problem that time was the wind was howling fairly well. It's quite a sail! Gave it a good try but in the end I had to go back to the Leica on a Leofoto tripod. I'm hoping to use it soon, it did get some attention though and the glass is good for the vintage. Have fun with it.
Greg