1946-1958 The Dawn of Innovation: Leupold's Optics Revolution
1946
- 2¼x Riflescope introduced, known as Plainsman by 1954
1949
- 2½X Pioneer introduced
1950
- 4X Pioneer introduced
1952
- 4X Riflescope introduced, known as Mountaineer by 1954
1953
- Medium Crosshairs reticle
- Tapered Post & Lateral Hair reticle
- Tapered Post reticle
- Dot reticle
- Beaded Post reticle
1954
- Medium Crosshairs reticle
- Tapered Post & Lateral Hair reticle
- Tapered Post reticle
- Dot reticle
1955
- 8X Westerner introduced
- 8X Pioneer introduced
1957
- 6X Mountaineer introduced
1958 LEUPOLD [model] on tube
- 4X Mountaineer
- 6X Mountaineer
- 8X Westerner
- Crosshairs reticle
- Tapered Post & Lateral Hair reticle
- Dot reticle
1959-1963 Building on Brilliance: Leupold's Refining Years
The year 1959 marked the debut of two major product families.
M7 fixed‑power scopes – offered in 3X and 4X magnification, these replaced the older Westerner and Mountaineer lines and featured improved adjustments and fogproof construction (but not yet nitrogen‑filled).
Vari‑X variable scopes – launched as a 3–9X model, this was Leupold’s first variable‑power scope, preceding the later “II” designation.
These models carried through 1959–1963, forming the core of Leupold’s lineup until the 1964 transition, when they were fully replaced by the M8 and Vari‑X II series.
1959 arched LEUPOLD on scope turret
- M7 3X introduced
- M7 4X introduced
1960 arched LEUPOLD on scope
- M7 3X
- M7 4X
- VARI-X 3x9 introduced
1961 arched LEUPOLD on scope
- M7 3X
- M7 4X
- VARI-X 3x9
1962 arched LEUPOLD on scope
- M7 3X
- M7 4X
- VARI-X 3x9
- Crosshairs reticle
- Post & Crosshair reticle
- Dot reticle
1963 arched LEUPOLD on scope
- M7 3X
- M7 4X
- VARI-X 3x9
1964-1989 The Golden Ring Era: Leupold's Legacy of Excellence
Major Product Refresh
M‑8 fixed‑power scopes (2X, 3X, 4X, and 7.5X) were introduced in 1964, replacing the earlier M‑7 line. These were among the first Leupold scopes to feature a gold ring and nitrogen‑filled, waterproof/fogproof construction.
Vari‑X II variable scopes—initially the 2–7X and 3–9X models—also debuted in 1964 under the Vari‑X II name. Prior to this, the 3–9X variable model (1960–1963) had been offered simply as Vari‑X (without "II").
1964 arched LEUPOLD on scope turret
- M8 2X
- M8 3X
- M8 4X
- M8 7.5X
- Vari-X II 2x7
- Vari-X II 3x9
1965 arched LEUPOLD on scope turret
- Duplex reticle
- CPC (Controlled Path Crosshair) reticle
- Dot reticle
- Crosshair reticle
- Post & Crosshair reticle
1966 arched LEUPOLD on scope turret
1967 arched LEUPOLD on scope turret
1968 arched LEUPOLD on scope turret
- M8 2X
- M8 3X
- M8 4X
- M8 7.5X
- Vari-X II 2x7
- Vari-X II 3x9
- M8 10X
- M8 12X
1969 arched LEUPOLD on scope
1970 arched LEUPOLD on scope
1971 arched LEUPOLD on scope
1972 arched LEUPOLD on scope
1973 straight italics LEUPOLD on scope turret
1974 straight italics LEUPOLD on scope turret
- M8 2X
- M8 3X
- M8 4X
- M8 6X
- M8 7.5X AO
- M8 10X
- M8 12X
- Vari-X II 2x7
- Vari-X II 3x9
- Vari-X II 3x9 AO
1975 straight italics LEUPOLD on scope turret
1976 straight italics LEUPOLD on scope turret
- M8 2X
- M8 3X
- M8 4X
- M8 6X
- M8 7.5X AO
- M8 10X AO
- M8 12X AO
- M8 24X AO
- Vari-X II 1x4
- Vari-X II 2x7
- Vari-X II 3x9
- Vari-X II 3x9 AO
- Vari-X III 1.5x5
- Vari-X III 2.5x8
- Vari-X III 3.5x10 AO
1977 straight italics LEUPOLD on scope turret
1978
1979
- M8 2X EER
- M8 4X EER
- M8 2.5X Compact
- M8 4X Compact
- M8 3X
- M8 4X
- M8 6X
- M8 8X AO
- M8 10X AO
- M8 12X AO
- M8 10X AO Target – Silhouette Variant
- M8 16X AO Target – Silhouette Variant
- M8 20X AO Target – Silhouette Variant
- M8 24X AO Target – Silhouette Variant
- Vari-X II 1x4
- Vari-X II 2x7
- Vari-X II 3x9
- Vari-X II 3x9 AO
- Vari-X III 1.5x5
- Vari-X III 2.5x8
- Vari-X III 3.5x10
- Vari-X III 3.5x10 AO
1982
- Vari‑X IIc 3×9 introduced
1984
- Vari-X II 4x12 AO
- 3x9 Compact AO
- 6X Compact AO
1988
- Vari-X IIc 3x9 AO
1989
Leupold Plainsman – America’s First Fogproof Riflescope (1947–1954)
1946 – Prototype Riflescope
Leupold’s first sporting scope appeared in ads as a “Leupold Riflescope.” It featured a 7/8" sealed steel tube with no model name, marking the conceptual beginning of the Plainsman design.
1947 – Plainsman Introduced
Leupold’s first production scope, featuring fixed 2¼× magnification and internal windage and elevation adjustments. Though unnamed at first, this was the first nitrogen-sealed fogproof riflescope made in America.
1949 – Fully Fogproof Design Finalized
By 1949, the Plainsman included permanent nitrogen-sealed internals and a leak-proof construction. It was promoted as the only guaranteed fogproof scope of its kind at the time.
1952 – Final Catalog Listings
Though still referred to generically in some ads as the “2¼X Riflescope,” the Plainsman remained in production and was typically listed alongside Pioneers and pre-Mountaineer models.
1954 – Discontinued
The Plainsman name and model disappear from Leupold catalogs. Its internals and fogproof construction live on in the Mountaineer series that followed.
Leupold Pioneer – Lightweight 2½X, 4X & 8X Riflescopes (1949–1958)
1949 – Pioneer Line Debuts
The 2½× Pioneer launched as a lightweight, streamlined scope using external adjustments via the Leupold Adjusto-Mount. A Hi-Power Converter (8×) accessory was also introduced. Sold alongside the internally adjusted 2¼× model.
1950 – 4× Pioneer Introduced
Leupold expanded the Pioneer line with a longer, more powerful 4× version — still externally adjusted, and ideal for high-power bolt-action rifles like the Winchester 70 and Savage 99.
1952 – Full Product Line
Catalogs list five models: 2¼× Riflescope (Plainsman), 4× Riflescope, 2½× Pioneer, 4× Pioneer, and 8× Hi-Power Converter. Though still generically named in some ads, these scopes defined Leupold’s early offerings.
1955 – Pioneer Expands with 8×
The 8× Pioneer is released for varmint hunters. The Plainsman disappears from catalogs, while Mountaineer and Pioneer scopes dominate the fixed-power lineup.
Leupold Mountaineer – Internally Adjustable 4X & 6X Riflescopes (1954–1959)
1953 – Mountaineer Begins to Appear
Early versions of the Mountaineer appear with internal elevation adjustments. This was the last full year the Plainsman was widely promoted under its original specification.
1954 – Model Names Standardized
Leupold begins naming its models in print: Plainsman (2¼×), Pioneer (2½× & 4×), and Mountaineer (4×). The Plainsman is phased out after this year. Dot reticles now included at no extra charge.
1956 – Mountaineer Expands, Westerner Emerges
The 6× Mountaineer is introduced, and the 8× Westerner becomes Leupold’s new internally adjustable, parallax-corrected scope. The Adjusto-Mount system begins to fade from promotion.
1959 – Mountaineer Phased Out
By 1959, the Mountaineer disappears from most catalogs as Leupold transitions to 1-inch tube models like the M7 and M8. The Mountaineer remains a favorite among collectors for its rugged design and clean profile.
🔄 Transition to Modern Scopes Begins (1955)
The year 1955 marks a turning point in Leupold’s riflescope development. With the release of the Leupold Westerner, the company shifted from compact, externally adjusted hunting scopes to precision-targeted optics with fully internal turrets and adjustable parallax. The Westerner was the first Leupold scope to prioritize high-magnification varmint shooting and feature advanced reticle options like the dot and crosshair/post combinations.
Starting with the Westerner and continuing into the M7/M8 era, our documentation includes modern-style specifications such as estimated objective lens diameter, internal adjustment systems, and other classification fields used by collectors and sellers today. Earlier models (Plainsman, Pioneer, Mountaineer) remain described using their historically accurate specs and terminology.
Leupold Westerner – Adjustable 6X & 8X Varmint Scopes (1955–1959)
1955 – Westerner Line Introduced
Leupold introduces the 8X Westerner as a high-magnification scope designed for long-range and varmint shooting. It features internal windage and elevation adjustments along with a user-adjustable objective for parallax correction.
1956 – Westerner Gains Traction
The Westerner appears more prominently in Leupold ads, often paired with target-style dot reticles and Detacho-Mount options. It represents a shift toward internally adjustable, precision-focused scopes for serious marksmen.
1958 – Expanded Offerings
By 1958, the Westerner was available in two fixed-power models — 6X and 8X — both featuring internal windage and elevation adjustments and an adjustable objective for parallax correction. Leupold ads emphasized its fine crosshair and dot reticle options, presenting the Westerner as their most advanced scope for precision varmint and target shooting.
1959 – Westerner Superseded
By 1959, the Westerner is quietly replaced in catalogs by the new M7 and M8 series scopes, which offer improved lens coatings, 1-inch tubes, and modernized internals. The Westerner closes out Leupold’s 7/8" tube era.
Leupold M7 – Nitrogen-Sealed Fixed 3X & 4X Riflescopes (1960–1964)
1960 – M7 Series Introduced
Leupold launches the M7 as a modern replacement for the Mountaineer and Westerner. Offered in fixed 3X and 4X magnifications, the M7 is fully nitrogen-sealed, waterproof, and built on a 1-inch aluminum tube. It is also the first Leupold scope to feature the now-iconic Golden Ring.
1963 – Reticle Options Expand
Duplex and CPC reticles are added as premium options alongside the standard crosshair and dot. The M7 remains Leupold’s flagship fixed-power scope for hunters seeking rugged clarity and internal precision.
1964 – Final Year of Production
The M7 is quietly phased out as Leupold transitions to the M8 and Vari-X lines. It remains a sought-after collectible for its historical significance and clean Golden Ring design.
Leupold M8 – Legendary Fixed-Power Riflescopes (1964–1983)
1964 – M8 Series Introduced
Leupold launches the M8 line with internally adjustable, nitrogen-sealed 1-inch scopes. Initial offerings include 2X, 3X, 4X, and 6X fixed-power models, replacing the earlier M7.
1970s – Expanded M8 Lineup
The M8 series grows to include 7.5X AO, 10X AO, and 12X AO for varmint and target shooters. Compact models and extended eye relief variants are also introduced, as the M8 becomes a staple in Leupold’s fixed-power lineup.
1983 – M8 Discontinued
After nearly 20 years, the M8 line is phased out as Leupold transitions to its updated Vari-X and VX series. The M8 remains a beloved scope among collectors and hunters for its optical clarity and classic durability.
Leupold Vari-X II – America’s Workhorse Variable Riflescope (1969–1993)
1969 – Vari-X II Introduced
Leupold debuts the Vari-X II series as a rugged, affordable alternative to the Vari-X III. It features variable magnification, a 1-inch maintube, and simplified adjustments, quickly becoming a favorite among hunters.
1970s–1980s – Expansion & Refinement
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Vari-X II is offered in popular configurations such as 2–7x, 3–9x, and 4–12x. It undergoes several minor updates, including adjustments to turrets, coatings, and cosmetic design. The scope retains a matte black finish and no-frills durability.
1993 – Vari-X II Discontinued
After nearly 25 years of production, the original Vari-X II is retired and replaced by the redesigned Vari-X IIc. The original series remains widely respected for its dependable performance, straightforward design, and broad compatibility with classic hunting rifles.