The History of the Simmons Whitetail Classic Scope?

[chris u'5]

Ever since I was a young lad and was given my first air rifle I absolutely adored the Simmons Whitetail Classic range of scopes.

The finish looked so futuristic at the time (and still does in my eyes) but with no income of my own I could never afford to buy one.

I was particularly fascinated by the 1.5-5 x 20 model as it was like nothing I had ever seen before and when I finally started earning my own money the day came where I could finally buy my own... what a day

Anyway, I was browsing through one the recent issues of one of the air gun magazines and read an article in which it was stated "never sell a decent scope!"

Well I could have kicked myself! How could have I have ever dreamt of selling the scope I desired so much when I was a boy?! I was so angry with myself.

But unbelievably at the weekend I decided to have a look through my kit and have a bit of a clear out and what did I find??? My Whitetail Classic 1.5-5 x 20 in mint condition, still in it's box, along with the covers and instructions!

It got me thinking about my early days as a shooter and I have a few questions about this range of scopes and who better to ask than the experts on my favourite forum!

1. When it was released was it considered a 'high end' scope?

2. Does anyone remember roughly how much they cost?

3. I'm guessing by the name they were advertised towards deer hunters but were they popular with airgunners as well?

4. Was a 1.5-5 x 20 scope quite unusual at the time? Did many companies make this type of scope? I see they are becoming more popular with AR15 shooters for example.

5. I know we are spoiled these days with mil-dots, IR lenses, AO etc etc but do you think they can 'still hold their own' in such an advanced market?

Anyway, nothing serious, just a subject that has been on my mind since the weekend and I'd love to hear any answers to my questions and especially your own thoughts and memories on the aptly named Whitetail Classic

Thank you for your time guys,

Chris

[Mach 1.5]

The WTC range was released around 1995.
4 x 32 = £95.
4 x 40 = £110
2.8-8 × 36 = £150
3.5-10 x 40 = £160
3.5-10 x 50 = £200
4-12 x 44 = £230
6.5-20 x 50 = £250
These prices were of 1995. Seems the little 1.5 came out later? Wal-Mart in the USA had simmons do the ATV range which had the same finish as the WTC.
Still a nice period scope to this day.
Mach 1.5

[sbd]

...the chap who handled their "introduction " to the UK. Would have been early 90's?

He was a decent FT shot as well.

sbd

[Mach 1.5]

Richard North. He used to shoot at out club. World champion at one stage. Whilest working for Simmons he got them to commission Venom to produce a special Mach 2 called the Pro Mach so they could show case the new WTC range. May AGW 1995 the rifle took centre spread with a WTC on top. The rifle cost £3098.00 to make but Simmons wanted the best. To my knowledge Richard still owns the rifle and will never part with it. Mach 1.5

[p.j.]

Remember seeing Richard on undercover millionaire a few years back. Didn't he have a nasty car accident?

[Shed tuner]

I loved the 4 x 40, 2.5-8 x 36 AO, and the 4-12 x 44 AO
I liked the 3-10 x 40 and 1.5-5 x 20
not a fan of the 3-10 x 50 or 6.5-20 x 50 though

wish I'd kept the little 2.5-8 x 36

the only one I've not had is the 4 x 32