16-03-2017, 08:05 AM
I should point out that this particular side mounted scope was a bastard child in more ways than one, and the gunsmith at Klein's should be given points for originality.
The purpose of mounting the scope offset to the left of the receiver was twofold. First, the six round en bloc clip had to be inserted vertically into the top of the magazine, and a scope mounted in the normal fashion would interfere with this. Second, the Mauser type bolt rotated 90° during cartridge extraction and, even with the turned down bolt handles on the short rifles, the bolt handle would run into a scope mounted in the normal fashion.
However, just offsetting the scope to the left was not enough.
![[Image: carcano-oswald-rifle-mount.jpg]](https://gastatic.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/carcano-oswald-rifle-mount.jpg)
As with other scopes, this 4x18 Ordnance Optics Inc. scope had caps on the windage and elevation adjustment screws. Viewed from the back end of C2766, these caps would be on the left and top sides of the scope tube; elevation on top and windage on the left. This is not how an Ordnance Optic or any other scope I know of is designed. Traditionally, the elevation knob is still on top but the windage knob is on the right and not on the left, as viewed from the rear. Obviously, when Klein's first attempted mounting this scope on a Carcano, they quickly would have discovered the windage knob was still interfering with the clip and the bolt handle. The solution was obvious; rotate the scope tube 90° in the rings, turning the elevation knob into the windage knob and vice versa.
![[Image: images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS2p4iMS32dXB6dRS4LDQw...crJFBOnSOw]](https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS2p4iMS32dXB6dRS4LDQwIgw6MZySb9hm6KaDj2OCqcrJFBOnSOw)
Traditional scope with windage knob on right, as viewed from the rear.
What is very odd about the Ordnance Optics Inc. scope is that mounting it rotated 90° to the left places the printing on the scope tube in a position it is very easy to read. There is a slim possibility I am mistaken, and this scope, with a left sided windage knob, was unique among rifle scopes.
How Oswald ever managed to sight this rifle in is beyond me.
The purpose of mounting the scope offset to the left of the receiver was twofold. First, the six round en bloc clip had to be inserted vertically into the top of the magazine, and a scope mounted in the normal fashion would interfere with this. Second, the Mauser type bolt rotated 90° during cartridge extraction and, even with the turned down bolt handles on the short rifles, the bolt handle would run into a scope mounted in the normal fashion.
However, just offsetting the scope to the left was not enough.
As with other scopes, this 4x18 Ordnance Optics Inc. scope had caps on the windage and elevation adjustment screws. Viewed from the back end of C2766, these caps would be on the left and top sides of the scope tube; elevation on top and windage on the left. This is not how an Ordnance Optic or any other scope I know of is designed. Traditionally, the elevation knob is still on top but the windage knob is on the right and not on the left, as viewed from the rear. Obviously, when Klein's first attempted mounting this scope on a Carcano, they quickly would have discovered the windage knob was still interfering with the clip and the bolt handle. The solution was obvious; rotate the scope tube 90° in the rings, turning the elevation knob into the windage knob and vice versa.
Traditional scope with windage knob on right, as viewed from the rear.
What is very odd about the Ordnance Optics Inc. scope is that mounting it rotated 90° to the left places the printing on the scope tube in a position it is very easy to read. There is a slim possibility I am mistaken, and this scope, with a left sided windage knob, was unique among rifle scopes.
How Oswald ever managed to sight this rifle in is beyond me.
Mr. HILL. The right rear portion of his head was missing. It was lying in the rear seat of the car. His brain was exposed. There was blood and bits of brain all over the entire rear portion of the car. Mrs. Kennedy was completely covered with blood. There was so much blood you could not tell if there had been any other wound or not, except for the one large gaping wound in the right rear portion of the head.
Warren Commission testimony of Secret Service Agent Clinton J. Hill, 1964
Warren Commission testimony of Secret Service Agent Clinton J. Hill, 1964