Okay, at long last an update. Got the original Oigee back from Mountain Optics. The scope had indeed been taken apart at some foggy point in the past, and the lenses were re-installed backwards, hence the fisheye. The original crosshairs were hacked out, and the single picket installed. Mountain Optics completely overhauled the scope, cleaned and revamped the focus and elevation adjustments, and installed a new set of wire crosshairs. Everything now seems optically and mechanically correct, with normal clarity through the lenses. The crosshairs are slightly cockeyed, though in fairness Dan at MO told me that the original reticle was pretty crudely extracted and that it might be tough to achieve perfection as a result. I'm going to try to sight in and shoot today, and will post a range report--thanks to everyone for advice and insight, I love this website!

Best,
Malcolm