Vintage Mossberg Rifle Scopes

highly collectible vintage Mossberg RF-1 Range Finder Telescope Sight.
Introduced around 1938, the RF-1 is recognized by firearm historians as the first commercially sold mechanical range-finding rifle scope in the United States. Instead of relying on a modern laser or an etched reticle pattern, this system works as a mechanical bracketing scope.
Key Details About Your Set
• Operation: It was specifically designed to bracket a standard 6-inch target (traditionally a crow or a small varmint). The shooter sights in at 25 yards and then slides the range finder mechanism along the mount to match target distances.
• Adjustments: Unlike newer optics with standard body turrets, its micro-click adjustments are built straight into the scope's external vintage mounting system.
• Value Factors: Finding this specific vintage model complete with its original cardboard box, mounting hardware, and the delicate paper factory instruction manuals drastically increases its appeal and value among collectors.
vintage Mossberg 8-M4 telescope sight (rifle scope) setup.

Item Breakdown

• The Scope: A 4-power rimfire rifle telescope sight, specifically the Mossberg No. M4 model. These 3/4-inch tube scopes were manufactured around the 1940s and 1950s primarily for Mossberg's line of .22 caliber training and target rifles.
• The Box and Mount Designation: The end label on the box explicitly shows "NUMBER 8-M4", which designates the complete factory combination package consisting of the Mossberg No. 8 mount paired with the M4 telescopic sight.
• The Paperwork: A matching vintage instruction manual/parts sheet illustrating mounting diagrams and adjustment directions.
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