Question on 1941 Marine sniper

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

John Unertl knew what he was doing since he was a German sniper in WWI and was trained by the man who devised the scope John sold.

jt

[Greg Ficklin]

I am more optimistic on the prospect of Unertl remakes. While the original 1.25 inch scopes were fine instruments, they weren't nearly as complicated as modern internally adjusted scopes. The devil will be in the quality of the mount, and durability of adjusters. Still it won't be rocket science, or something any current manufacturer couldn't do well. The price per unit will likely be pretty high considering a limited niche market demand. Technology marched on and left these scopes behind. There is a reason that Unertl, Fecker, Litchstert, and Lyman no longer manufacture these things. It is a shame because I love them for what they are, a very simple system that works well even when compared to today's optic standards. There is a need for limited production faithful repros of the 8X Unertl because the vintage units now belong in the realm of deep pocket firearm collectors.
A real USMC 8X is too valuable as a collector in it's own right fetching thousands of dollars, to be carted around and subjected to rain and recoil as an often used rifle sight. I hope they work out the kinks and make them. I would buy one.

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

While the original 1.25 inch scopes were fine instruments, they weren't nearly as complicated as modern internally adjusted scopes.

There is still no better scope made than the Unertls. The reason they are no longer made is the cost of manufacturing (steel one piece tube, etc.). The optics were the finest ever made. One must remember they were target scopes, and not made for the field, although they hold up well under field conditions. They were expensive in the day compared to other fine scopes. When you look through a Unertl at a crow from a great distance, it still looks just like a crow. You zero that puppy and it stays zeroed. A quarter inch adjustment is exactly 1/4". One can do no better.

He made the optics for our submarines also. Not bad for an old German sniper, heh?

jt

[pmclaine]

And he was smart enough to get from Germany while the getting was good. He wouldnt have survived the second war and we should be thankful our guys werent on the objective end of his work.

[1903shooter]

Cost!!! I have a copy of the 1940 Shooters Bible. In 1940 A Winchester Standard Grade Model 70 cost $61.80, a Super Grade -70 with standard sight $86.17, a Winchester Model 52 with no sights cost $47.12, a Winchester 52 Sporting rifle cost $90.10, a Standard Winchester 75 target rifle cost $30.22 with sights. BUT a Unertl 1 & 1/2" Target scope cost $70.00, a 2 inch Target cost $125.00. Now that is an awful lotta money in 1940, for the cost of the 2" Target Scope you could buy a Winchester M-70 & a Winchester M-52 and still have money left over. As far as optics, here's a simple test for you. Take a $1500 or $2000 Leupold and focus it on an object half a mile or a mile away. Now take a Unertl and do the same. Look through each scope and you will see why there is nothing better then a Unertl. Nuff said!

There is still no better scope made than the Unertls. The reason they are no longer made is the cost of manufacturing (steel one piece tube, etc.). The optics were the finest ever made. One must remember they were target scopes, and not made for the field, although they hold up well under field conditions. They were expensive in the day compared to other fine scopes. When you look through a Unertl at a crow from a great distance, it still looks just like a crow. You zero that puppy and it stays zeroed. A quarter inch adjustment is exactly 1/4". One can do no better.

He made the optics for our submarines also. Not bad for an old German sniper, heh?

jt

[pmclaine]

My local shop has a 12x that has a pope rib breaking free of the tube, otherwise it appears functional - optics are clear. Parsons gave me an estimate of $400 to repair/rebuild the scope. The shop wants $600 but I think he will drop his price. What would be a reasonable cost for this? Is it even worth considering. Is parsons even still taking scopes? I saw a post where someone was unable to contact them.

[Greg Ficklin]

You have to be careful. Only the 1.25 inch scopes were used on the Marine Unertls, and they were 8X. If wanting to make a tribute rifle for CMP's Vinatage sniper game then 8X is the limit. The rules allow for 1.5 inch or smaller, and 8X or lower. Because the USMC Unertls were 8X, the demand for this power is high even as a non USMC scope. In my search for a scope legal for the VSM matches, I spoke to Unertl collectors that asserted that there is no difference between the USMC 8x and the civilian 8X other than the black anodized mounts, and the USMC marking. Since this was a special contract for the USMC, each unit was marked "USMC sniper" with their own serial number range.
There are many different models from many years Unertl made scopes but most run from $600 to $1000 and more depending on the model. But all bets are off on the much sought after 8X. I have seen civilian units sell for over $1500, and USMC marked go for thousands more. If the scope you are talking about is is good condition despite a broken reticule, then I would say it is a decent deal. A broken reticule is common , and easily fixed

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

The Marine Unertls were slightly different internally from commercial versions. The guys at Parson's are great for detecting fakes as a result, and they told me they have discovered many fakes sent in as "originals".

jt

[pmclaine]

I'd be making a clone but probably never going to a match it would be a personal fun gun. The reticules are fine. The pope rib is the rail that guides the tube while in recoil. It looks like it was silver soldered to the tube and the one at my local shop is starting to separate from the tube. Parsons figured they needed to resecure the rib than they would have to refinish the tube, and I assume a total maintenance while it was apart. $400 two years ago.

[1903shooter]

I don't know for sure, but someone told me that Parson's died about a year ago??? You might want check first.

[pmclaine]

I'd thought similar based on the last correspondence I read concerning the business. Hope his family is well.

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

He was a nice guy and would talk to anyone over the phone for as long as it took to answer your questions. I liked the man. He helped me a great deal with a project I was doing (Marine sniper scopes). I wish I had taped the conversation now.

jt

[TheMax]

http://www.parsonsscopeservice.com/aboutus.html

Talked to Richard in May of this year and they are still in business but running behind. I have an 1 1/4" Unertl being rebuilt there now.

[1903shooter]

Thanks for providing that information, glad to see they are still going.

http://www.parsonsscopeservice.com/aboutus.html

Talked to Richard in May of this year and they are still in business but running behind. I have an 1 1/4" Unertl being rebuilt there now.