Built upon the 1950 design of the Weaver K4, the KV scope was Weaver’s very first attempt at a variable power scope. With power selection from 2.75x to 5x, this scope basically combined the attributes of the popular K2.5 and the K4 into one scope. A truly versatile scope for the hunter moving from brush hunting to semi-open terrain or tree stand hunting.

With the reticule still in front of the power lens, there is no chance for change in parallax with a change in power, making a very accurate variable scope, not unlike the K4, which was legendary for its simplicity and stubbornly consistent accuracy.

Being the first of its kind, the KV was not without its limitations, however. The variable function is accessed via a very small turret cap on the adjustment block, which has to be removed in order to change power. Imagine doing that on a ten-degree morning. Secondly, the field of view gets pretty narrow and eye relief tight at the 5x setting.

In the world of vintage hunting, shooting and collecting, however, limitations like that are minor and in my opinion simply add to the uniqueness and romance of owning and using tools built in another time and being used to accomplish tasks that may have been done differently then.

Today I can buy a 5-20x scope and sniper a deer at 800 yards. Back then, they were just looking to make an easy transition from sitting the field edge at first light, to still hunting the bush mid-morning to sitting the field edge again in the evening. Hunters wanted a scope that could serve two functions for the two basic needs in the deer woods. The KV scope accomplished that. Its block design with the covered power adjustment gives it a unique vintage look that really stands out. When you see it, you immediately wonder what’s under all those turret caps. The fact that it covers the power ranges of the two most popular powers of the day, 2.5 and 4, gave it cutting edge versatility for 1950. And I don’t know about you but just the thought of leaving the field edge, turning my power down from 5 to 2.75 and possibly having a close encounter with a rutting buck as I slip quietly back to camp on a frosty November morning gives me goose bumps. It’s just a much more intimate hunting style than doing everything at 20x.

At Vintage Gun Scopes we are proud to introduce our fully restored Weaver KV scope, new for 2020 and in stock now.

All the Action at 5x and Under. Weaver’s First Variable Power Scope