Leupold & Stevens
American, family-owned optics manufacturer known for riflescopes, red-dot sights, binoculars, spotting scopes, rangefinders, and related equipment.
Last updated October 16, 2026
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Overview
Leupold & Stevens is an American optics and instrumentation manufacturer headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. Established in 1907 by German immigrant Markus Friedrich (Fred) Leupold and his brother-in-law Adam Voelpel, the business began as a repairer of surveying instruments under the name Leupold & Voelpel. Its early development was closely connected with water-measurement technology: in 1911 the company was engaged by engineer John Cyprian Stevens to manufacture a patented water-level recorder, and Stevens subsequently joined the business. The company was renamed Leupold, Voelpel, and Co. in 1914 and adopted the present corporate name, Leupold & Stevens, in 1942. The company’s history spans two related fields. The Leupold name became associated principally with sporting, military, and law-enforcement optics, while Stevens became associated with water-level and flow-monitoring instruments. The company developed specialized recording equipment, including the Telemark water recorder, patented in 1939. This technology transmitted water-level information by telephone and helped make remote monitoring of water resources practical. The water-monitoring operation was later separated from Leupold & Stevens in 1998 as Stevens Water Monitoring Systems, although Stevens remained part of the corporate identity. Leupold entered riflescope production after the Second World War. A frequently repeated account attributes the decision to Fred Leupold’s frustration with a fogged rifle scope during a hunting trip. Whether treated as company lore or a turning point in product development, the episode reflects the brand’s long emphasis on weather resistance, optical clarity, durability, and field reliability. In 1962, the company introduced the Duplex reticle, a design that became highly influential in riflescope development and is now widely used across the industry. By the late twentieth century, sporting optics had become the company’s principal commercial activity. In 1969, Leupold & Stevens acquired a majority interest in Nosler Bullets, another family-owned business, and sold that interest in 1988. It also operated or invested in ventures outside optics, including Biamp Systems and Fabmark, before later exiting those activities. The company reported sales of $100 million by 1996, according to the cited historical reference material, and by 1979 its scope business was generating twice the revenue of its Stevens instrumentation business. The company expanded its brand portfolio in 2008 by acquiring Redfield Optics, including the Redfield name and associated intellectual-property rights. Leupold has continued to develop riflescopes, red-dot sights, binoculars, spotting scopes, laser rangefinders, eyewear, mounts, apparel, and accessories. Its products serve civilian hunters, competitive and recreational shooters, outdoor users, military organizations, and law-enforcement agencies. Military and government-linked applications have included optics associated with platforms such as the M24, M107, MK12, MK14, M110, M2010, and MK22 systems. Leupold & Stevens remains privately held and is described in the reference material as being in its fifth generation of family ownership. Bruce Pettet became chief executive in 2014. The company continues to present itself as an American manufacturer emphasizing product development, field testing, durability, and domestic production, while selling through international distribution and commercial channels. Its modern portfolio is led by the Leupold brand, with Stevens retained as a corporate and historical identity and Redfield maintained as an acquired optics brand. By the late twentieth century, sporting optics had become the company’s principal commercial activity. In 1969, Leupold & Stevens acquired a majority interest in Nosler Bullets and divested that interest in 1988. The company also invested in or operated businesses outside optics, including Biamp Systems and Fabmark, later exiting those ventures. According to cited historical references, the company reached $100 million in sales by 1996, and by 1979 its riflescope business generated twice the revenue of the Stevens instrumentation business.
History
Leupold & Stevens began in Portland, Oregon, in 1907 as Leupold & Voelpel, a surveying-equipment repair business founded by Fred Leupold and Adam Voelpel. The company’s first major manufacturing opportunity came in 1911, when it was contracted to produce a water-level recorder designed and patented by John Cyprian Stevens. The product was successful enough for Stevens to become a partner in 1914, producing the name Leupold, Voelpel, and Co. The early company concentrated on surveying and water-monitoring technology. It developed additional recording devices, including the Telemark water recorder, patented in 1939. By transmitting measurements through telephone networks, the Telemark system supported remote observation of water levels and helped extend the practical use of automated water-resource monitoring. In 1942, the business adopted the name Leupold & Stevens. Its surveying and optical products were sold under Leupold, while water-monitoring products continued under Stevens. After World War II, the company expanded into riflescopes. Company history connects this move with Fred Leupold’s dissatisfaction with a rifle scope that fogged during a hunting trip. The resulting focus on dependable field performance became central to the brand. Leupold later introduced the Duplex reticle in 1962, an important riflescope design that became common across the wider market. By 1979, riflescope revenue was reported to be twice that of Stevens instrumentation. Leupold & Stevens also pursued diversification. It acquired a majority interest in Nosler Bullets in 1969 and divested that interest in 1988. Other ventures included a brief association with Biamp Systems and a sheet-metal fabrication operation called Fabmark. The company reached reported sales of $100 million by 1996. In 1998, its water-monitoring operation was spun off as Stevens Water Monitoring Systems, a separate privately held Portland-area company, while Leupold & Stevens retained Stevens in its corporate name. The company’s later development centered on sporting and tactical optics. In 2008 it acquired Redfield Optics and its intellectual property. Leupold’s product range grew to include variable- and fixed-power riflescopes, competition and tactical scopes, red-dot sights, binoculars, spotting scopes, rangefinders, eyewear, mounting systems, apparel, and accessories. Its optics have been associated with United States military, naval, Marine, Secret Service, and special-operations applications, as well as hunting and competitive shooting. The company has remained privately held and family controlled; the reference material describes it as being in its fifth generation of family ownership. Bruce Pettet became chief executive in 2014. In the 2020s, Leupold continued to promote its manufacturing heritage and broaden customer access through digital initiatives such as a virtual factory tour. Its present identity combines a long-running American manufacturing tradition with a portfolio serving civilian outdoor users and professional users who require rugged optical equipment.
- 2020
Virtual factory tour launched
[1]Leupold introduces an online tour of its factory and manufacturing activities.
- 2014
Bruce Pettet becomes chief executive
[1]Bruce Pettet is appointed chief executive of Leupold & Stevens.
- 2008
Redfield Optics acquired
[1]Leupold purchases Redfield Optics, its brand name, and related intellectual-property rights.
- 1998
Water-monitoring operation spun off
[1]The water-monitoring business becomes Stevens Water Monitoring Systems as a separate privately held company.
- 1988
Nosler interest sold
[1]Leupold & Stevens sells its interest in Nosler Bullets.
- 1969
Nosler investment
[1]Leupold & Stevens acquires a majority interest in Nosler Bullets.
- 1962
Duplex reticle introduced
[1]Leupold develops the Duplex reticle, which becomes widely used in riflescopes.
- 1942
Present name adopted
[1]The business changes its name to Leupold & Stevens.
- 1939
Telemark water recorder patented
[1]The company develops a water recorder capable of transmitting water-level information by telephone.
- 1914
Stevens joins the business
[1]John Cyprian Stevens becomes a partner, and the company is renamed Leupold, Voelpel, and Co.
Products and positioning
Premium, rugged optics for hunting, shooting, outdoor recreation, military, and law-enforcement applications, with an emphasis on reliability and American manufacturing.
Riflescopes
VX Series
The VX family is Leupold’s broad sporting-riflescope range. It includes models such as the VX-6HD, VX-5HD, VX-3i, VX-3i LRP, and VX-Freedom. The line serves hunting, general shooting, and longer-range applications, with model differentiation based on magnification, optical features, and intended use.
Tactical and military riflescopes
Mark Series
The Mark family is aimed at tactical, military, law-enforcement, and precision-shooting users. It includes Mark 4, Mark 5HD, Mark 6, and Mark 8 products, as well as specialized configurations associated with military platforms and precision rifles.
Red-dot sights
DeltaPoint Pro
DeltaPoint Pro is a compact electronic sight designed for handgun, carbine, and other close-range applications. It forms part of Leupold’s red-dot portfolio alongside the Freedom Red Dot Sight and Leupold Carbine Optic.
Binoculars
BX Series
The BX binocular family covers hunting, outdoor observation, and general field use. Named lines include BX-5 Santiam HD, BX-4 Pro Guide HD, BX-T HD, BX-2 Alpine, BX-1 McKenzie, BX-1 Yosemite, and BX-1 Rogue.
Spotting scopes
SX and Gold Ring Series
Leupold’s spotting-scope portfolio includes SX-5 Santiam HD, SX-4 Pro Guide HD, SX-2 Alpine HD, SX-1 Ventana, Gold Ring, and Mark 4 models. These products support long-distance observation, hunting, shooting, and professional field applications.
Laser rangefinders
RX Series
The RX rangefinder family includes RX-2800, RX-1600i, RX-1300i, RX-FullDraw4, RX-FullDraw3, and RX-950 models. The line is intended for distance measurement in hunting, shooting, and archery contexts.
Optical mounts
Leupold Mounts
Leupold manufactures mounting systems and rings for riflescopes and other sights. Families include Standard, Dual Dovetail, Quick Release, Cross Slot, Backcountry, Ringmounts, Mark 4, Integrated Mounting System, Rifleman, and DeltaPoint mounts.
Performance eyewear
Leupold Eyewear
The eyewear portfolio includes Tracer, Packout, Becnara, Katmai, Switchback, Payload, Refuge, and Cheyenne products for outdoor and field use.
Water-monitoring instrumentation
Stevens water-monitoring instruments
Historically, Stevens-branded products included water-level and flow-recording instruments. The water-monitoring operation was spun off in 1998 as Stevens Water Monitoring Systems, while Stevens remained part of Leupold & Stevens’ corporate identity.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Virtual Factory Tour
Global
Leupold introduced a virtual tour designed to show audiences elements of its factory and manufacturing process online.
Outcome. The initiative provided a digital presentation of the company’s manufacturing heritage and facilities.
Brand decisions
2008
Acquisition of Redfield OpticsM&ABackground
Leupold & Stevens expanded its optics portfolio through the purchase of Redfield Optics.
Action taken
The company acquired the Redfield brand name and associated intellectual-property rights.
Aftermath
Redfield became part of Leupold’s broader optics portfolio.
1998
Separation of water-monitoring operationsStrategyBackground
The company’s historical water-monitoring business had developed alongside its surveying and optical activities.
Action taken
Leupold & Stevens spun off the water-monitoring operation as Stevens Water Monitoring Systems while retaining Stevens in its corporate name.
Aftermath
The company became more focused on sporting and professional optics, while the water-monitoring business continued separately.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Leupold & Stevens announces acquisition of Anodize Solutions[3]
Leupold & Stevens announced that it had acquired Anodize Solutions, an Oregon-based services firm. Anodize Solutions will operate as a subsidiary of Leupold & Stevens.
Reported
Leupold launches DeltaPoint Micro red dot sight[4]
Leupold & Stevens announced the launch of the DeltaPoint Micro, a fully enclosed, low-profile red dot sight designed for concealed carry and personal defense firearms.
Reported
Leupold renews partnership with Wild Harvest Initiative[5]
Leupold & Stevens renewed its partnership with Conservation Visions' Wild Harvest Initiative, supporting the initiative's work on the benefits of sustainable wildlife and fish harvests in the United States and Canada.
Reported
Leupold wins NASGW Optics Manufacturer of the Year[6]
Leupold was recognized as the Optics Manufacturer of the Year by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers and received the award at its annual meeting in Orlando.
Sources6 sources
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