In his landmark book, "The One Round War," Peter Senich mentions that the vast majority of the FIRST-GENERATION Redfield 3X9 AccuRange scopes shipped to Vietnam used the (then unique) "green anodizing"; however, he also shows a picture of the early Model 700 (M40)sniper rifle (serial number 168346) and discribes the scope as "...a first-generation black finish (black gloss) Redfield 3X9 variable-power model"[page 141, bottom]. (This is not the second-generation "satin black finish.) Senich notes that the need for a better sniper rifle than the M1D or M1C, or and/or the Winchester M70 was aknowledged by the USMC early in the war, and when the Corps' order for the M700 (M40) Remington-Redfield system was placed in '66, the need was so urgent that standard, off-the-shelf, Redfield units were purchased. Presumably, that is the reason for some M40s having the early, pre-green anodized, commercially available, gloss-black, first-generation scopes. Can anyone offer more info on these early "gloss-black" scopes. Note: these are not to be confused with the (even earlier and now very, very rare) "Marine Scopes" of Japanese manufacture. I'd like to confirm this with other scorces. Thanks for your interest, Eric

-- Eric Krohne (krohne@mindspring.com), September 02, 2003

Answers

How I interpreted it when I read that in my book, and from the accompanying text, it was most likely one of the first weapons produced to fill the contract. That sight could have been an overage acquired for original prototyping. If the picture was from later in the war, I would dare to say it could have been a replacement. Most items in our supply system are tracked by part numbers and only certain high-dollar, or accountable items are tracked by both part # (NSN) and a serial number. But alas, the photo is early and direct from Remmy. All in all, I'd reckon it is just a manufacturing anomaly. A detail only the hard core collector's argue over! lol! All two of the veterans I have spoke with about their use with the M40 stated they had green scopes.

-- Darren Malott (m118sb@hotmail.com), January 25, 2004.

Not sure if you have received an answer on this yet, but my grandfather gave me his sniper rifle he used in Korea. It is a 49 Win70 in 30-06 gov't barrel and it has a Redfield 3x9 in gloss black.

30-govt-06 bbl, s/n on receiver is 151XXX.

No s/n or patent number on the scope, Redfield mount boasts patent #1837290 and no s/n either. He also had a Weaver K4 stored with it. Both fit the mount seamlessly.

Hope this info is of some help on your hunt.

Good luck

-- Brett (bnashlund@yahoo.com), December 13, 2003.