I like old scopes, and always looking for odd ones, or ones made early, or by small makers. Yesterday at our OAC monthly collector gun show I heard a friend who has a table behind me ask another friend if he was interested in an old target scope. Of course my ears perked up, and I turned around to maybe see what I was missing out on!
I couldn't see what they were looking at, but I saw a plain brown cardboard scope box, which intrigued me. As they talked the other friend passed on the scope, and I asked if I could look at it, and not step on any toes, or be butting in. Both fellas were fine with it, so I was handed the scope box. Inside was a brand new Lyman Targetspot that appeared to have either never been used, or used very little. It had the Pope rail on the bottom of the tube, which also indicated a very early scope; and the box end label said Targetspot, not Junior or Super Targetspot.
The label read 10x, and the price was $60, with application showing "Lo W 52" on it. Guessing that might mean a Winchester Winder Musket or a 52? 
No serial number at all on it, which further indicates a very early Lyman. I think this may be a first year Lyman Targetspot. The only Lyman I've ever seen in a plain brown cardboard box, as all I've owned were orange cardboard boxes with the reinforced metal corners. 
The box is missing the drill bit, taps, bases, and instructions, but otherwise a pretty nice old scope and box.

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Did you buy it? Priced well?

I'm guessing the rear sliding mount is a 4-point Winchester style scope mount rather than the newer 3 point and should have the  Winchester style pin base attachment mount rather than the standard or posa ? That is the way my pre-war 8X Targetspot is set up. I was told mine dates 1936-1939. Steve Earle standard barrel mounts work with it.
Flatlander

marlinguy wrote on Nov 27^th, 2023 at 9:52pm:


All three were available at one time in their lineup.
My 10x Targetspot is a later with top rib.ive never seen one like yours! Cool really early one!

According to Lyman, the Targetspot was discontinued in 1948. This from their 1878-1978 Centennial Journal.

What is the actual title of the Lyman history publication

Rick

I totally forgot about the 100th Anniversary Lyman book, and I have one on my book shelves! Guess I'll have to give it a look and see if it has any references or old ads printed that might reveal the prices for certain years?
Haven't gotten any response from Lyman Products yet, and who knows when or if I will?

In a 1936 Stoeger's Shooters Bible, the Lyman Targetspot was listed at $60 for either the 8x or10x.