I thought I would post this date of manufacture code index for those that may be interested in "dating" a Leupold scope.
Every Leupold scope produced since 1974 will have a letter included in the serial number acting as a date-code. Scopes using a letter as a prefix (the beginning of the serial number) were produced between 1974 and 1992. Scopes using a letter as a suffix (the end of the serial number) have been produced after 1992. On the chart below, you will notice the letters �I,� �O,� and �Q� have been omitted as they are easily mistaken for �1,� �0,� and �0� respectively.
Prefix: Suffix: E = 1974 A = 1993 F = 1975 B = 1994 G = 1976 C = 1995 H = 1977 D = 1996 J = 1978 E = 1997 K =1979 F = 1998 L = 1980 G = 1999 M = 1981 H = 2000 N = 1982 J = 2001 P = 1983 K = 2002 R = 1984 L = 2003 S = 1985 M = 2004 T = 1986 N = 2005 U = 1987 P = 2006 V = 1988 R = 2007 W = 1989 S = 2008 X = 1990 T = 2009 Y = 1991 Z = 1992
Note: I have tried everything I can think of to "seperate" the two columns above so it would be easier to read - but no luck. My file source for this information has them seperated and easily read but once I copy it here no amount of industry on my part can seperate them - suggestions? I have sent this index to dozens of folks over the years and this site is the only place that I have this trouble at. Oh well - hope the information is decipherable and helpful to some.
Dogzapper: Steve, glad that I could bring a smile to someones face! Again I apologize for the inability to "seperate" the columns of that index to look more professional. Mine is a face from your distant past - I used to drive down to Portland, Oregon and do the big Gunshows there at the Expo Center. I met you there a couple of times and did some scope and Kimber of Oregon talking and trading. I even took you and Darrell Holland out to luch one gunshow afternoon. 12 years ago I retired and moved from Puget Sound country to Montana and have not been back to the Expo show but a time or two since then! I still covet your Hunting knife - the one you had custom made with the beautiful polished Dall Sheep horn handle! Stay safe out there in Columbia country! Long live Leupold & Stevens. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy Dale Gibbons Life member #185 Varmint Hunters Association Life member Seattle Police Athletic Association Range Patron/Life member of the National Rifle Association Former supporter of the rmef
Updated. Used an image to get around the formatting.
Every Leupold scope produced since 1974 will have a letter included in the serial number acting as a date-code. Scopes using a letter as a prefix (the beginning of the serial number) were produced between 1974 and 1992. Scopes using a letter as a suffix (the end of the serial number) have been produced after 1992. On the chart below, you will notice the letters I, O, and Q have been omitted as they are easily mistaken for 1, 0, and 0 respectively.
Gringo Loco: YOU... are THE man! I am making paper copies of your handy sized and updated chart as soon as I post this. Thank you. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy