The scope in question is on a Rem 700 BDL in .30-06 my father had bought some 25-30 years ago; both were bought together, if memory serves. Neither has had much use until I inherited it a few years ago. I'm having two problems with it: First, I don't know what kind it is. He was partial to Redfield (the older ones, anyway), but there's not a mark on this one. Second, I cannot focus it no matter what I do. It's 3-9x, with a ring that rotates behind the zoom ring, but doesn't seem to do much. There's also a ring on the front that is marked 50yds to 1000yds, but I don't know whether it's supposed to be a rangefinder or what it's for.

I'm posting a couple of pictures that may help identify it. The rifle is quite accurate, but without getting a clear view through the scope, that doesn't do me much good, as my eyes get tired trying to focus through it and my groups gradually get worse. Thanks to anyone who can help...

That's an older Weaver scope. They made a low profile scope similar to the Redfield. The difference is the Weaver's had a steel body while most other scopes had an alloy body. This is most probably what they call the "El Paso" Weaver. Should be some markings on it somewhere saying Weaver, the power ranges (notice the parallax adjustment on the objective lens) and where it was made. Look at the tube at the ocular (eye) end. The rear scope mount may be covering up the markings.

kdub has it right, ,it's an old Weaver (or a Sears sold Weaver).

One thing about the older Weavers that you may want to check. the occular (rear) lens units were not put to gether with UV proof glue and tend to sepearte and haze. Rear lens unit was not well supported in the outer housing (well...it was well attache on the back lens element, but relied on glue for the front element of that lens). Looking at a clean rear lens from a shallow angle in bright light will show a kind of Rainbow effect when the two elements seperate.