A What is it? thread - older Tasco scope

[Potashminer]

So, as per the write-up on the SWFA site, Tasco apparently never actually had a factory to make scopes - they would use various jobbers and assemblers to built to spec virtually any level of quality that a buyer wanted. So, from very inexpensive at one extreme, to "good enough for US Marines" at other.

I have an older Tasco that I would like to identify - I am looking for a "period correct" scope for a 1955 Winchester Model 70, and wondered about this one. Pictures below:



So it is the one on the left I am curious about - the Tasco logo on eye-piece is white letters on gloss back scope body. The right one, for comparison, is newer, I think, and has that "R in Circle" as well as red "fully coated opti-centered" logo, that the left one does not have.



This is the only actual "model" designation I can identify on it - a silver coloured pronghorn antelope head.



This is engraved on rim of front bell - 3-9x40 - appears to be engraved through the black gloss into the aluminum body underneath.

The reticle is very similar to Leupold "Duplex", and the turrets, under the caps are marked "I.CLICK O 1/4 100Yd" with a directional arrow indicating "UP" on elevation turret and "L" on windage turret.

Any information about which model this might be would be appreciated.

EDIT: This is NOT a "Tasco Pronghorn Scope" - that newer series of Tasco scope has the word "Pronghorn" on the left side, not the silver head of a pronghorn like this one has.

Further EDIT: Just discovered on bottom of eye piece (opposite that Tasco name) - in black letters, against the black gloss - in three lines "WA39X40"; "JAPAN"; "AO-60 2"

 

[Evanguy]

Is the one on the right a fixed 2.5? Mines #651A japan A714

My parker hale lee enfield came with one of those on it
Looks like it came with the gun so id assume 60-70's.

When every the custom no1's were made. Its the top modle with the PH mount, rings, sling, swivel studs, nice stock, and ph sights

Very clear scope..seems pretty much the same as the "aim master" 4x32 japan A500. Probably built in the same factory..they use the same cross hairs. Thick virtical going halfway up, thin horizontal and a small triangle above the horizontal line.

Edit i just realized your not wondering about the one on the right lol.

 

[Potashminer]

You are correct - the right one is a fixed 2.5x32. I would say it has different reticle than you describe though - this one is "duplex" style - thin in middle, then points to transition to heavy lines to outside. Purely eyeballing, but I would guesstimate about 5 units heavy lines, one unit fine line to centre, then one unit fine line, then 5 units heavy line to edge of view.

I found those model numbers - not the same as yours - mine says "#653A" on one line, then "JAPAN-A-528" on the next line - on eye piece, opposite the "Tasco" logo

 

[Evanguy]

Yeah it seems mine may be a bit older then yours. But still not the mid 50's as you wish to find.
And the reticle you discribe sounds a lot better then this one. This one is great at ONE distance. The one you sighted in on lol.

 

[Potashminer]

Not real sure I need 1950's scope? Out here, as per my Dad, in 1950's, it would have been typical for 30 something year old fella to hunt deer with iron sights. By his late forties or fifties, he finds that his eyes are not what they used to be - just as what happened with my Dad - so goes looking for a scope. So I would be okay, I think, with 1960's or early 1970's scope, on a 1955 rifle ...

 

[gunrunner100]

I would say that both are mid to late 70's, perhaps up to mid-80's.

 

[dan belisle]

Silver pronghorn would likely be from the 80's. They made some decent scopes at that time. - dan

 

[Hitzy]

Should be able to find a steel tube Weaver easy enough, would be period correct.