Turnbull Meets Vintage Gun Scopes
Turnbull Marlin 336c in 30.30 with VGS Remanufactured Weaver K2.5 and VGS Remanufactured Pivot Rings.
When it was time to unveil Vintage Gun Scopes’ new line of remanufactured vintage weaver scopes, I called my good friend Doug Turnbull and said I was looking for a high quality, yet affordable option in a color case hardened receiver rifle to display one of our first offerings in the Weaver line, the original K2.5.
He immediately started talking about his recent offering, a Marlin 336 in 30.30 Win with just the right dose of Turnbull bling. Before he could rattle off the next option I told him that would be perfect. He had me at 30.30. And a Marlin 336 made it all the better. This was basically the new made to look old version of my Mom’s rifle which I took my first deer with back in 1982; a rifle that was featured in an earlier build story. This would be a fun build that I could really sink my teeth into.
Being a lever gun, and a fun one at that, I did not want to eliminate the possibility of using the irons from time to time, so the first thing I added to the rifle was a #163A Weaver pivot mount base. Next, I added a set of one inch Weaver pivot rings. These weren’t your ordinary pivot rings, I used Vintage Gun Scopes’ color case hardened rings including case hardened ring strap and large thumbscrew which tied Doug’s case hardened receiver in perfectly with the scope. Then, I added one of our remanufactured Weaver K2.5 scopes with a crosswire reticle. I would have gone with a post if I weren’t using the pivot mounts. I like a crosswire with pivot mounts for a finer aiming option than the irons, which I can easily access at any time.
Once again, this is not just any Weaver. This one was born between 1950 and 1952, but born again in 2018. A non-centered reticle scope that we rebuilt, re-blued, and then sealed more properly than was done in 1950 for more reliable field performance, followed by a good nitrogen processing at <1RH under 30 pounds for 30 minutes. Overkill, yes, but it kind of matches the way the gun and scope were both built. I polished the brass ends to a high luster. Why? Because it looks great. When you look through the scope your periphery gives you a rich, different look. Less practical than the antique finish, yes, but hey, the Weaver company put that brass there 70 years ago. They didn’t do it for long and nobody does that anymore. I’m just showing off their jewelry. Speaking of jewelry, we also decided to complete the build with color case hardened adjustment caps. The result is a brand new rifle made to look old, an old scope brought back to better than new standards, and yet it all seems like it was born on the same day. It signifies at least two pieces of iconic American shooting sports history.
We are very proud to make this unique offering to our customers. A collaborative effort between Turnbull Restorations and Vintage Gun Scopes, “Born Again” is available now at $1995.00
