M14 Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Request for info re Italian BM59 sniper/DMR scope set-up

Jump to Latest
5K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  Random Guy  
#1 · (Edited)
Random question: Does anyone know anything about the odd-ball Italian BM59 rifle with a sniper/DMR scope? I have seen a couple of old pics from probably the 1980s or maybe early 1990s of BM59 paratrooper rifles with some sort of sniper or DMR scope set-up. (See below pics). However, I have not been able to find out any info (and I don't speak/read Italian to really research this topic). My guess it's likely a 4x (or maybe 6x) fixed scope, but hard to tell from the attached pics. I think it was off-set to allow top-loading via 5-rd charger/striper clips.
Image


Image


At some point in the mid-to-late 1980s it appears that Springfield Armory Inc may have offered an offset scope mount for the BM59 rifles that they imported in that era. I have only seen one such set-up from an old auction of an SAI BM59 paratrooper (see below pics). It used the SAI commercial 3-9x "ART IV" scope, but I don't know if the mount was the same design as the military version (it looks newly made).
Image

Here you can see a small rear aperture was used, but I doubt it's adjustable with the mounting screws, but hard to say. (I have not seen other pics of this mount).
Image

I have a BM59 project underway (see last pic) and I thought it would be neat to find the proper scope mount for this project. (That said, a BM59 is only a 2.5 to 3 MOA battle rifle, so a 'sniper' version is a bit silly, but wanted to see if anyone on this forum had any info regarding the optic and mount). Any anecdotal info re the scope or mount is much appreciated.
Image
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Here's another pic I found of the old SAI BM59 mount. This ART IV has a smaller turret cap on the windage knob, so it might work better, but note how off-set to the left this mount is...plenty of room for case to eject. However, ergonomics look awful, but I'd still like to find one...(Redfield 4X might have been used, but I wish I had more info/better pics).
Image
 
Discussion starter · #6 · (Edited)
I'm 99% sure that the mount is simply an S&K Garand mount. The one that use S&K rings.
Click to expand...
I think you are right. The commanding officer of 10th SFG back in the 1980s chimed in and offered a similar opinion about the odd-ball pics of BM59s with a optic system:
"I don't believe this was ever an issue item. The scope mount is an S&K. Pic's of the soldiers with the scope may be private purchase. I mounted my own civilian scope on my weapon while in SF."
Click to expand...
S&K has apparently updated the design slightly, as the current rail can now use Weaver or Picatinny rings, instead of the older rail with the integrated S&K 1" rings.
Image

....I guess I need to find a cheap scope that would be of the correct era...
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
As a follow-up re the mystery scope in question, upon careful examination of pic #1, I think the reflection pattern of the rear ocular suggests it might be a somewhat flat surface. (see white arrow).
Image

If that surmise is correct, it's one of the old Redfield 'Widefield' scopes that were popular in the 1970s-1980s. They made some with a round front objective bell, but with an 'oblong' shaped rear ocular that Redfield claimed provided a 30% wider field of view. To the best of my knowledge, Redfield was the only manufacturer who made scopes with oblong-shaped oculars that were somewhat flat on the top surface.

As for the Italian solider as suggested by a former Special Forces solider, it was likely a private purchase Redfield scope, either fixed 4x (see below pics) or possibly a 3-9x Redfield. These Redfield scopes were fairly popular back in the day, and are pretty easy to find, just in case I want to mimic that rifle for my project. Just a follow-up to close the loop on the odd-ball BM59 scope set-up seen in those two vintage pics that I posted.

Image

Image

Image


Image
 
M14 Forum
posts
2.7M
members
67K
Since
2002
A forum community dedicated to M14 and M1A Rifle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, ammunition, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, Modern, Devine, SOCOM, EBR, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
The M14 Ammunition Modern M14 Gun Rights New Member Introductions