My guess would be that they started with the first number, and continued the same sequence throughout production. I say that, as I have seen a large number, and owned quite a few different models with, what I would call a high number. There would really be no reason to number each model with a different sequence of numbers, as I am sure they kept records of each scope and description thereof. Computers would make the job of tracking a simple task!!! I am interested to hear what others might think.

I agree that it's more likely that Fecker did not use separate serial number ranges for each model, and shared them among all models. But not sure that he started at #1, or if he started at a higher number, like #100, 200, 300,? I've owned quite a few, but not very many early Fecker scopes, so no idea what the lowest known number might be? My early style Fecker is a 3 digit serial number in the low 600 range.

rkba2nd wrote on Jul 30^th, 2021 at 1:23pm:


Often companies start at higher numbers to make people feel comfortable the company has made many before theirs. It's not at all unusual to have them start at 100 or higher.
Gun makers had all sorts of serial numbering styles. Some ran numbers within a model range, but didn't always start them at #1. Some started with a prefix letter, or suffix letter. Some ran all their models within the same serial numbers, so it's impossible to pin down exactly when a gun was made.

I questioned that practice of starting check numbers with a higher number at a bank some, well many, years ago and their response was that some businesses looked askance at taking checks from obviously brand new accounts. Of course that was back in the "check or cash?" days.

    I finally took time today to find an original Fecker brochure from the time he was in Cleveland. Interesting to note a couple things. One, he did not supply mounts, leaving that decision up to the scope buyer. The scope mounted on the rifle pictured on the front of the brochure, a Springfield, is in Winchester mounts. Two, for Marlinguy, one of the rifles pictured inside another, later brochure is a Pope Ballard with Fecker scope mounted in his mounts with 10.8 inch base separation to allow 1/6 minute adjustment per click.  Also interesting to note, there were only two lengths available in those early years, 18 3/4 inches for most rifles, and 22 inches for Springfield rifles to allow mounting on the barrel. Powers available were 4.5, 6,8,or 10. They were fitted with a v notch to prevent rotation, but for $5 could have a rib mounted. The brochure unfortunately has no date. I acquired it from a fine gentleman, John Irwin, of Colorado Springs, close to fifty years ago. My guess would be that he had it sent to him in the late 20s or early thirties. This because many of the other items I acquired from him were from that same time frame, to include the American Rifleman from day one 1923 on.                                 
    For those interested, there is a wonderful and thorough history "The Life and Times of J.W.Fecker" by Clarence Anderson in the Accurate Rifle, May 2002.   Krag

Thanks again for all the great information.  So, since my Fecker was made in Cleveland and it has a four digit serial number would it be reasonable to assume that it is an early scope made during the time when Fecker was not making its own mounts?  If I understand everything correctly, my interpretation seems consistent with what's been said on this post.

marlinguy wrote on Jul 31^st, 2021 at 10:05pm:


Got it.  The best I could say is that my scope is consistent with descriptions of early Feckers.  Which isn’t a statement of confirmation.

Thanks and I will try to find the article!