Was mounted on a rifle I recently picked up, Leupold mark 4 m1. Straight 10x. Only markings are Leupold mark 4,M1 on bottom, and a us patent number on eye piece.
I guess my question is, is it a real Leupold, as I have read that some are counterfeit.

One never knows anymore , a call to Leupold would confirm .

No serial number would make me think that it is a Chinese knock off.

That said, a friend bought a few 2-7x33 knock offs for his grandkids' 10/22s and the last I head they were still holding their zero. A set and forget scope might do better than one that was intended to be regularly dialed for windage and elevation. A local pawn shop over-paid for a rifle a while back because it had a "Leupold" scope mounted that looked correct, but was actually just a well done Chinese knock off. They aren't buying or taking Leupold or Zeiss scopes in trade any longer because of the influx of Chinese knock offs of those 2 brands.

Serial number covered by tape. Dont like posting #s online

[quote=kenster99]Serial number covered by tape. Dont like posting #s online[/quote

I didn't notice the tape. If it has a serial number Leupold can tell you what it is.

That looks like a real Leupold to my eyes, at least based on all the ones I’ve seen. I’ve seen some knockoffs too and I don’t think you have to worry about that. 👍🏼

Late 90's early 2000's I believe, great scope back in the day.

Thanks very much, going to sell, not sure what to ask.

That's my recollection as well...the Mark 4 LR/T version was discontinued a few years back. Rooted in military weapon systems. Came in other magnifications...6X and 16X (possibly more). Turrets were with M1, M3, or load specific and reticle could be duplex or mildot; Premier may have done some reticle work on some. Predecessor was the Ultra line...Ultra M1A, Ultra M3A.

I have to two 10X M1s (one a Mark 4 and the other an Ultra) that I use to work up loads.

Thanks. Looks like a nice clear scope.
I just dont have much application for it.

Looks like it - and yes - they were very well respected. Expensive at the time too as I recall.

Guy

Kenster99: I had the "hots" for that scopes big brother (same scope but in 16 power) back in the early/mid 1990's - a couple of my Varminting friends had them and I was jealous of them!
If I recall correctly they also came in 12 power and 20 power.
If the price is right I will hop on I-15 and head south to buy that scope from you.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Found this older add from Midway

Midway still has an exclusive variable Mark 4. Ive seen them sell these as low as $600 or $700 before. For a grand though i would rather just get a NightForce or Sightron SIII PLR
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362173644?pid=936654

The Mark 4 variable and the Mark 4 fixed are different animals.

Yeah, apples and oranges.

Some of the sniper wanna be cloners might like this for a M-24 build.

A Chinese model may be better.

There is that Chinese thing thou.

Midway has been selling several Mark 4s as exclusives for years. So no its not a different animal. Our military used all of them and Midway has been one of the few vendors you can get them from. The fixed 10x is probably tougher than the variables which were not all that great for a couple guys i know who had them on hard kickers.

https://www.leupold.com/blog/post/30-years-of-service

I meen i dont see them listed as available thru Loopie. Maybe im missing it?
https://www.leupold.com/shop/riflescopes

definitely looks like a chiner fake

Just talked to Leupold and they ran the serial number,and sent pics . Scope was made in 1993, also had the m-2 and m-3 scope same year,difference was MOA clicks, tall turrets vs low,etc. Came with duplex,target dot , or mil-dot.
No chiner fake!

Back in 1998, I went through sniper school with a couple of U.S. Park Service Police who had that same scope on their rifles. They did just fine in the sniper school.