Leupold M7 – Nitrogen-Sealed Fixed 3X & 4X Riflescopes (1959–1963)

July 4, 1959

Overview & Design

Introduced in 1960, the Leupold M7 marked a new generation of scopes featuring a 1-inch aluminum tube, internal windage and elevation adjustments, and the company’s nitrogen-sealed “Golden Ring” fogproof design. It replaced earlier steel-tube models like the Mountaineer and Westerner, streamlining the product line into a more modern and lightweight package.

The M7 came in two fixed-power versions: the 3X model for quick target acquisition in thick cover, and the 4X model for general-purpose hunting at medium distances. Both offered bright, clear optics with a generous field of view and a range of reticle options. Aesthetically, the M7 was the first Leupold scope to display the now-iconic Golden Ring at the objective bell — a feature that would define the brand’s image moving forward.

Specifications

  • Models: M7 3X, M7 4X
  • Maximum Magnification: 3X or 4X (fixed)
  • Objective Lens Diameter: Not specified in ads; pre-1960s scopes typically did not list mm size
  • Tube Diameter: 1 inch
  • Length: 11.0 in (3X), 11.8 in (4X)
  • Weight: 10.1 oz (3X), 11.0 oz (4X)
  • Eye Relief: 3.6–4.2 inches
  • Adjustment Style: Internal windage and elevation
  • Click Value: ¼ Minute of Angle (MOA)
  • Reticles: Crosshair, Dot, Post & Crosshair, CPC, and Leupold-exclusive Duplex (by 1963)
  • Focal Plane: Second
  • Material: Hard anodized aluminum
  • Finish: Gloss black
  • Mount Compatibility: 1-inch rings, Leupold Detacho-Mount and Model 3 Mount
  • Original Price:
    • M7 3X: $55.00
    • M7 4X: $59.50
    • Optional dot reticle or Duplex: +$5.00

Historical Note: Leupold ads from 1960–1964 did not include objective lens diameter in millimeters — a measurement that only became standard later in the decade as variable-power scopes and European optics gained market share. Most American hunters chose scopes based on magnification and field of view rather than lens size during this era.

Legacy

The M7 bridged the gap between Leupold’s early externally adjusted steel scopes and the fully modernized M8 and Vari-X II lines that followed. Though discontinued by 1965, the M7 remains collectible for its historical importance, practical clarity, and early appearance of the Golden Ring branding. Rugged, lightweight, and easy to use, it reflected the company's growing reputation for reliability in any weather or terrain.

Discontinued: 1964

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