I am not sure if it is the one you have but mine has the Merit Adjustable Iris Aperture on it.

https://www.meritcorporation.com/

Best Regards,

 

You are probably thinking of the Vaver sight. Just google "vaver sight" and you'll get lots of returns, some of them even on here. Also look for "Wittek-Vaver".

 

It was the Redfield "VARD". This was an acronym for "Variable Diopter".
Steve

 

Thanks, that's it. I've been examining Olympic listings on ebay for some time, but haven't seen one, so it's obviously not common.

 

I’ve got one of the Merit discs on my International. I really like it. Just screws in for either the Olympic or International. Unless you are really serious about period correct, or all Redfield, that may be a good option.


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I've got one of the Merit discs on my International. I really like it. Just screws in for either the Olympic or International. Unless you are really serious about period correct, or all Redfield, that may be a good option.

The Merit merely gives you an adjustable aperture (an idea old as the hills, by the way), but the VARG eyepiece includes a lens of about 1/2 power (so I've been told) that is supposed to sharpen the front sight without altering significantly your view of the target. How well it fulfills that objective, I can't say; however, I'm sure weary of "shooting blind," that is, choosing between seeing the front sight clearly using shooting glasses, but the target a hazy blob, or vice versa.

Even the use of a low power lens is an idea old as the hills, because there was a patented eyepiece for tang sights that held a lens available in the 1880s (the Hadley, I believe). This lens had no means of adjusting the focus, like the Varg, but had to be custom ground by an optician.

 

Redfield Diopter

The Redfield Sure-X sight apeture disc has a rotating disc with 8 positive click settings from .030" to .058"...fits Redfield & Lyman sights

 

While the merit only changes the aperture, as the aperture closes, the depth of field of your focus increases. Works just like the F stop on your camera.


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While the merit only changes the aperture, as the aperture closes, the depth of field of your focus increases. Works just like the F stop on your camera.

I've been using them on & off for decades, so I understand the principal, but past a certain point of visual deterioration, something else is needed; probably why Redfield came up with their VARG. Champion's Choice lists numerous different European-made eyepieces that accept lenses, filters, & gadgets beyond my ken, & they're being bought & used mainly by shooters a WHOLE lot younger than me!

 

I have a Redfield VARD in the box. Don't think it has ever been mounted.

 

The NRA changed the rules dealing with lenses in front/rear aperture sights several years ago. The rule used to allow either a front or rear lens, but not both. Now a shooter can use a variable diopter rear lens, along with a fixed power front lens. I tried buying a Centra adjustable iris/variable diopter rear aperture for my LR CF prone rifles, thinking it'd be the answer to my prayers and would allow me to shoot with irons again, but it didn't work out well at all, whether I wore plain shooting glasses w/o correction, or Decot HyWide frames with lenses ground to my usual prescription. It was a big let down for me, as several clubs where I used to shoot will run 4x600 prone matches where the first two are any-sight, and the 2nd two are to be fired with irons. I finally just decided to leave my irons at home in the safe, shoot all four matches with a scope, and to hell with shooting for awards or trophys. I shoot for fun & recreation, and if it's not any fun trying to shoot with irons, why bother to spend the time & $$$ traveling to a match?

 

I have the Vard, but also came up with a Gehmann Diopter. The Gehmann works better for me to see the target. I use it now and that allows me to see the A23/5 bulls at 50 yards much clearer than before.

 

I wonder if I might jump in and show some of my ignorance..... I'm new to the peep/open sight game and am presently outfitting a little Remington with a set of Redfield's. I'm not necessarily staying period correct, in fact am considering a Gehmann diopter, however have been toying around with a couple of Redfield Sure X variable discs (one I purchased with sight and the other a buddie's loaner). FWIW one disc is marked 30-58 and has slightly larger aperture holes while the other is stamped 28-42 with the smaller set of holes. Both appear identical with the same quality and style stamping and machining. I have not read or heard of the smaller one and am just curious about it's designated design and purpose...if anyone might familiar.
Thanks...

 

I... have been toying around with a couple of Redfield Sure X variable discs...one disc is marked 30-58 and has slightly larger aperture holes while the other is stamped 28-42 with the smaller set of holes. I have not read or heard of the smaller one and am just curious about it's designated design and purpose...if anyone might familiar.
Thanks...

Could the numbers be the diameter of the apertures in thousandths - 0.028-0.042in? Depending on eye relief and ambient light some shooters want a smaller aperture, especially to increase depth of focus.

 

I’ve got a Merit iris on my Redfield that’s mounted on my H&R M12. I really like it.


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I have one which maybe the Merit. I like it. Kinda of a neat little device. What ever brand it allows the aperture to be adjusted just like on the old cameras. What I found is at the smallest setting the hole maybe a little octagonal or acting a little weird around the corners. There is another kind I own, that has 6 size holes that rotate into position. Not so cool mechanically, but; I think the view is just a tad better. They all work fine. No real advantage in use over have a set of three screw in vs one adjustable. Other than the obvious speed and less stuff to carry. The simple non-adjustable ones might carry an advantage of one less potential thing to go out of wack and offer a perfectly centered perfect hole.

My 2c, no need to pay up for an official VARD when the shooter can combine any type fixed or variable to a std rear.

The reason for the variable hole is in low light a larger opening is needed. (ie adjust to suit the lighting condition) I cannot say I am actually seeing it at the exteme small but a smaller hole will result in better focus. For example in photograpy, I would default to the smallest aparture for shots were the subject was stationary. More depth of field with a smaller hole.

 

My 2c, no need to pay up for an official VARD when the shooter can combine any type fixed or variable to a std rear.

The reason for the variable hole is in low light a larger opening is needed. (ie adjust to suit the lighting condition) I cannot say I am actually seeing it at the exteme small but a smaller hole will result in better focus. For example in photograpy, I would default to the smallest aparture for shots were the subject was stationary. More depth of field with a smaller hole.

If I'm right in thinking that the VARD is similar to to Gehmann diopter, it's much more than a variable aperture. Effectively it's a small Galilean telescope with an adjustable iris.

The lens system, Variable Diopter, let's the shooter set their focal length independently of the iris. The iris is still there to tweak for ambient light, but it needn't be super tight for focus, which is less tiring for the eye.

 

Thanks dgapilot,
I may give a Merit a try...if they're still in Biz. Used one of their stick-on's for glasses years ago in another discipline and it worked well. Can't beat updated tech! I was just curious about the smaller scale on the Redfield disc....hadn't heard of it before. Anyway, as I've pushed back a little from the BP games I'm having a ball with this rimfire stuff...it's a Hoot!
Again thanks...

 

The VARD is on the right. I use them both. The Gehmann gets more use as it is on my 52D.

 

The VARD is on the right. I use them both. The Gehmann gets more use as it is on my 52D.

If you want the VARD to get more use you can send it my way. I'll post a full report!

It's hard to beat something like that. I will end up getting something for my 513T at some point, but for now made some various sized inserts for the Master Disc that was on it. But it's a pain to change quickly, and in my case might cause sight changes since I didn't have a precise enough way to keep them centered. I think I can still do smaller on the rear, but I'm at the limit of the smallest drill bits I have. I'm going to pick up a micro set and play some more, as the original inserts went even smaller.

Peeps sure are fun. I think being fully adjustable on both ends would really be the setup. But for now, I'm having fun with them.

 

84911Carrera,
I just purchased an adapter for my Olympic sight to receive a Gehmann diopter from Champions Choice and they picture one with a larger second adapter screwed into it.
I'm not sure of the size of the adapter but it may be what you need.
gunr

 

Thanks gunr for the lead.

Are you referring to this one? Or perhaps a different one?

I saw this one (pic attached). This won't work. The smaller male end of the black piece (adapter) has a 7/32-40 threads (standard for Redfield and Parker-Hale) and the bigger female end has a 9.5mm-1.0 threads which is the standard for Gehmann and most European products.

What I need is an adapter with a male end in 9.5mm-10 threads (for my Redfield Palma) and a female end in this "special" Redfield 9/32-32 thread to plug the VARD in.

9/32-32 is a very very rare thread size for very special precision application. Why Redfield decided to use this odd thread size is beyond me. I don't know what they were thinking since none of their sight products uses this thread size. And neither do Lyman nor other competitors. As an example, I can't use this Redfield VARD on a Redfield Olympics or International, or other Redfield 70 or 80 series rear sights which I also have!

Bottom line. I need exactly what usmc69 has! I hope he can find more information about it.

 

Dennis,

After I had my cataract surgery, I no longer needed glasses to drive with. I only needed them for reading. It is amazing to me that I can shoot irons without the Vard or the Gehmann. I am using a Sure-X Disc in my Redfield International MK 8's. I can see a 10 meter air gun target at 50 yards, no prescription glasses, just clear safety glasses.

A bit larger bull again "Look Ma!, No glasses!".

best of Luck,
AJ

Where are you at?

 

AJ,

I am so glad your cataract surgery works out well for you. As a matter of fact, it is exactly the result that I am hoping for. Currently I am very unhappy with my far-vision despite using prescription glasses. I can see and read close-up pretty well without glasses. My goal for this surgery is to improve my distant vision and keep my near-vision as is. My surgeon says he is confident he can achieve that. The surgery will only be on my right eye where the cataract is worse. If all goes well then I may not need any optical device like the VARD or the Gehmann and just a simple iris like the Sure-X Disc or the Master Disc which I have.......just like you! I really hope so.

I am in New York. How about you?

Dennis

 

This is the Redfield VARD with the rarest of rare thread size of 9/32"-32NS (per Redfield Manual).

This thread size is larger than the common thread size of 7/32-40 used by Lyman and Redfield and others, but is smaller than the common metric thread size of 9.5mm-1.0 used by Gehmann and many European companies like Anschutz.

 

IIRC per Phil Scholl that is the 9mm thread size for Redfield Palma sights and some late Redfield Olympic and International sights.

 

That is the one I saw.
I guess they were protecting design and patents but they used some screwy threads that are hard to find fixes for.
Good Luck!

 

Gehman makes a nice one that threads directly to the Redfield sight.
Creedmoore sports link here

 

I found an article that I have saved along with my VARD paperwork. The article is from The American Rifleman, Feb. 1970. In it it states "the Vard is threaded 9/32-32 for the late manufacture Redfield International and Olympic match grade rear sights. Earlier sights, threaded 7/32" diameter, require a larger sighting disc block which modification Redfield will make for $3.45."

 

Oh right! Thanks for pointing this out. As soon as I read this I recall reading about this but have forgotten. It is actually right within the product document that I posted earlier.

So now it all makes sense about Redfield's marketing strategy and rationale behind the 9/32-32 thread size.

Well, I guess my International sight is the "older" version as it has the common 7/32" threads.

Getting a "newer" International is not so enticing because then this sight will become a single use dedicated sight just for the VARD. All other apertures such as the Sure-X, Master Disc, and many regular peep discs including Lyman's cannot be used on this sight. That won't be a good investment in my opinion.

I think a "thread adapter" is still the way to go. Just have to find one or make one.

Here is the excerpt from the VARD product manual.

Again, thanks AJ for shedding light on this elusive subject.