Beginning in 1974, Leupold began letter coding riflescope serial numbers. All scopes produced during that year had the letter E as a prefix to the serial number. The next year the letter code was advanced to F, and so on through the alphabet. The letters I,O, and Q, were skipped so that they wouldn't be confused with numbers. If the Leupold scope doesn't contain a serial number then it's a good chance the scope is a fake.Always try to ask the seller for the serial number before you purchase the rifle scope. Once you have the serial number, call or email Leupold customer service to verify if the rifle scope is authentic.For more general tactical rifle. The Vintage Leupold Scopes would develop into a very prominate place in rifle scopes by the 1960’s. Men would now discuss what was the best rifle scope to have. By 1954 there were several companies’ making rifle scopes. Kahls scopes, Stith scopes, Weaver scopes, Leupold scopes, Lyman scopes and Unertl scopes.
Leupold Model Numbers
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.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
Leupold Rifle Scope Serial Numbers
But on the warranty card it gives you 10 spaces for the serial number but there are only 7 numbers in the number on the rifle. Are not all numbers the same in length? And it has the gold leupold medalion on the turret. And i got it for $100 less than online market price. To my recollection, Leupold and Stevens was the only manufacturer that put the drawing number on the M84 tube. L&S M84's are also distinguished by no white border around the serial number and the silver serial number plate screws. Combine the three and there's no doubt it's a L&S manufactured M84.