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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) eBay find.. Wollensak 4x scope (Read 11765 times)
bpjack
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eBay find.. Wollensak 4x scope
Jan 25th, 2019 at 10:46pm
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Sometimes you get a lucky find for a decent price. Received my 'new' Wollensak 4x scope today. It was a bit tarnished, but optically perfect.  An hour of elbow grease and a beauty emerged.

Before Photos

Jack
« Last Edit: Jan 26th, 2019 at 6:28pm by bpjack »  

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bpjack
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Re: eBay find.. Wollensack 4x scope
Reply #1 - Jan 25th, 2019 at 10:48pm
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Post elbow grease and touch up blueing.

What do you think Frank?

Jack
  

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Schuetzenmiester
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Re: eBay find.. Wollensack 4x scope
Reply #2 - Jan 26th, 2019 at 12:03am
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Looks good from here Jack.. What are you doing with a 4x?
  

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bpjack
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Re: eBay find.. Wollensack 4x scope
Reply #3 - Jan 26th, 2019 at 11:04am
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Planning on using it on a BSA 12/25 .22 mag I picked up in Oregon.  I have been using a 6x Unertl that I can now look at selling. Frank got me looking for a Wollensak and I was very pleased with this one

Jack
« Last Edit: Jan 26th, 2019 at 6:28pm by bpjack »  

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marlinguy
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but they sure are neater!

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Re: eBay find.. Wollensack 4x scope
Reply #4 - Jan 26th, 2019 at 12:45pm
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Great scopes for their time, and still viable with good optics. They were originally a Japaned finish, which was like a black paint of some kind. I have a few of them, and really find them to be pretty decent scopes.
Can't say as I've ever seen one with those micrometer rear adjustments though? That's a pretty high end rear mount for a Wollensak.
  

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Reverend Al
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Re: eBay find.. Wollensack 4x scope
Reply #5 - Jan 26th, 2019 at 1:12pm
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Just curious ... what sort of values are these Wollensack scopes?  A friend of mine has one that he showed me the other day.  It is nearly a twin to yours with the blackened mounts and a brass tube.  He doesn't want to sell it, but I'd like to give him some idea of it's value just so that he will know.
Very nice looking scope!
  

I may have passed my "Best Before" date, but I haven't quite reached my "Expiry" date yet ...
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JLouis
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Re: eBay find.. Wollensack 4x scope
Reply #6 - Jan 26th, 2019 at 2:11pm
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Cousin picked up a real nice clean Mossberg bolt action rimfire target rifle with a bull barrel with a real clean Wollensack similar to Jack's mounted on it but blackened for a hundred bucks. One of the lenses was installed improperly and I had to replace the crosshairs and he picked it up the entire rig for a hundred bucks. Scope was actually quite nice for it's intended purpose that is and mostly for ground squirrels and such and surely not for any type of competitive use.
  

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Bill Lawrence
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Re: eBay find.. Wollensack 4x scope
Reply #7 - Jan 26th, 2019 at 3:23pm
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For those who don't already know, "japanned" should mean that the part was baked to harden the enamel paint and thus increase its wearability.  The further one gets into the 20th century, however, the greater the chance that what's called a "japanned" surface is unbaked, though often still enamel for the high glass.

Also, for what it's worth, there are several solutions available, the best in my opinion made by JAX, that if the directions are followed exactly will color a brass surface anywhere between a light brown through a deep brown to a rich black (and other "patinas" such as shades of green, though I don't think those are pertinent here).  After aging, the new surface can be clear-coated to increase its durability.

Bill Lawrence
« Last Edit: Jan 26th, 2019 at 3:34pm by Bill Lawrence »  
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bpjack
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Re: eBay find.. Wollensack 4x scope
Reply #8 - Jan 26th, 2019 at 3:41pm
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Al
I paid $100 for this scope including shipping.  Thought it was a decent price

Jack
  

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Redsetter
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Re: eBay find.. Wollensack 4x scope
Reply #9 - Jan 26th, 2019 at 4:20pm
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marlinguy wrote on Jan 26th, 2019 at 12:45pm:
 
Can't say as I've ever seen one with those micrometer rear adjustments though? That's a pretty high end rear mount for a Wollensak.


That's the only type rear mount I've seen, & a catalog description I have lists only this one mount, with no options except for reticle-- X-wire, post, post & X-wire. 

Surprising that the finish on these mounts is so much better than the tube's finish.
  
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Reverend Al
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Re: eBay find.. Wollensack 4x scope
Reply #10 - Jan 26th, 2019 at 4:29pm
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bpjack wrote on Jan 26th, 2019 at 3:41pm:
Al
I paid $100 for this scope including shipping.  Thought it was a decent price

Jack


OK, thanks!  I'll let him know ...
  

I may have passed my "Best Before" date, but I haven't quite reached my "Expiry" date yet ...
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Re: eBay find.. Wollensak 4x scope
Reply #11 - Jan 27th, 2019 at 2:28am
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Jack,
Sorry to be AOL but, I was gone. You got a good deal, bring it to Spokane and I'll go over it with you.

The mounts you have are common for these Walensak's but, you can find them with Marlin or Mossberg rear click mounts. I think Walensak click mounts are Marlin and I think Marlin scopes are Walensak.

Your tube is turned down 90 deg. The adjustments are much easier to get to, when they are up.

I'm going to include the Marlins and Mossberg's in this but, 5 years ago, I was buying them for $80 in a little better shape than yours. Depending on condition, down to $40. Now I think they start at $80 and a lot of sellers think they are worth $150. Mossberg made a 8X version than can go for $200. Mossberg also made a reversible post recticule. I quit buying them (all three brands), when I ran out of space to keep them Smiley

While the power of the scopes aren't enough to spot holes, they will work, very nicely for OH at 1 or 200 yards. The 8X Mossberg would be better for 200.

BTW, all three brands are variants of the Stevens and Lyman 438's.


Frank
  

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Redsetter
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Re: eBay find.. Wollensak 4x scope
Reply #12 - Jan 27th, 2019 at 9:38am
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frnkeore wrote on Jan 27th, 2019 at 2:28am:
BTW, all three brands are variants of the Stevens and Lyman 438's.
Frank


Big differences in their original retail prices, however.  In the same 1939 Pacific catalog that lists the Wollensak at $10, the 438 sells for $20, with pot-metal mounts inferior to Wollensak's.  (Lyman steel mounts were optional.) But for your $20, you DID get a steel tube.
  
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Re: eBay find.. Wollensak 4x scope
Reply #13 - Jan 27th, 2019 at 10:17am
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Frank,  Are all those scopes made with the five lens system we discussed several years ago?
Chuck
  
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bpjack
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Re: eBay find.. Wollensak 4x scope
Reply #14 - Jan 27th, 2019 at 10:39am
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Frank

I was surprised at how heavy the scope is. Must be fairly thick walled brass tube. Most likely will be using it at 50 and 100 yds with my .22 mag Martini.  Going to add a dimple to the tall scope blocks I have been using.  I will have to dig out my Stevens 368 and compare them

Jack
  

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