• Welcome !

    This website is dedicated to the equipment of sharpshooters from the past century and from all nations, particularly during the WWI and WWII.

    This site aims to contribute to the common knowledge on the subject, based on collectible items, historical documents and period photographs.

     
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    WW2 Russian sniper with SVT40 & scope

    The information presented here is not infallible and is by no means exhaustive. It is based on personal observations as well as the excellent research work of dedicated and passionate collectors. 

    To learn more about their valuable work, feel free to visit the “Links” section. For any suggestions, corrections, additional information or questions, don’t hesitate to contact us via the “Contact” section.

    Disclaimer:

    This website is in no way intended to glorify hatred, racism, or any form of ideology. Its sole purpose is to share historical items from various collections around the world for educational and documentary purposes.

     

    Updates :

    10-08-2025 : Romanian I.O.R scope on Vz.24

    03-08-2025 : Weaver M73B1 scope evolution

    01-08-2025 : ZF41 carrying cans evolution

  • C.P. Goerz 3x scope on “semi turret” mount

    German sniper with C.P. Goerz 3x scope and carrying case with matching rifle number on the leather lid. The mount is sometimes referred to “semi turret” style, the ancester of the turret mounts ued later during WWII.


  • The ZF41 sight

    Carrying cans :

    ZF41 carrying cans can be divided into several categories, distinguished by technical developments throughout the course of WWII. Here, we will discuss four main categories, although these are sometimes further subdivided based on minor differences.

    The carrying cans were manufactured by the firm Wessel & Müller, Beschlagfabrik, Luckenwalde (wartime code “jvb”). The can typically bears the matching rifle number stamped on one side of the lid, opposed to the hinge.

    • Type 1a : Early can, painted in “feldgrau” (or dark blue for the Luftwaffe). The belt strap is made of leather. The side of the case features the Wessel u. Mueller, Luckenwalde manufacturer’s “M&W” logo (see below). The WaA14 can be at the back of the lid. The hinge weld is internal. The lid of the compartment containing the Klarinol cloth is flat.
    ZF41 Wessel & Müller, Beschlagfabrik, Luckenwalde logo
    • Type 1b : The belt strap is now made of webbing. The “jvb” code replaces the manufacturer’s logo, located at the rear of the lid, next to the WaA14 stamp.
    • Type 2a : The lid of the Klarinol cloth compartment is reinforced. The hinge attachments on the lid are now external.
    ZF41 can lid evolution
    • Type 2b : The felt covering the internal wooden base no longer surrounds the hole designed to hold the ZF41 in place. At the back of the lid, the WaA14 is replaced by WaA542. The metal tube previously used to hold the cleaning brush is replaced by a simple hole in the wooden base.
    ZF41 can jvb WaA evolution
    • Type 3 : From 1943/44, the color changes from green to tan beige (Dunkelgelb RAL 7028). The machining of the hole in the lid locking part is simplified.
    ZF41 carrying can strap evolution
    • Type 4 : The web strap used to lock the lid is replaced by a D-ring metal piece

    NB : Some later cans have been observed with leather straps, possibly as replacements for the original web strap. 

    ZF41 can lid strap evolution
    Accessories

    Cardboard box in which the ZF41 scopes were packaged at the factory. The box bears the logo of the company Ruka in Rathenow :

  • SSR mount with type II base

    Short Side Rail (SSR) mount with type 2 base. These mounts were used by German army, police and waffen ss sharpshooters. 

  • Lebel model 1886 M93 & A.P.X. 1916 scope

    Here is a pretty rare French manufactured Lebel model 1886 M93 fitted with an original A.P.X. 1916 scope. The Lebel M93 used to be the main rifle used by French snipers during World War I. The APX scopes evoluted from APX 1915 to APX 1917.

    Below are three black & white pictures, taken in the trenches, showing French snipers using Lebel M93 rifles mounted with APX scopes.

  • Last prototype version of the PE scope

    This is the last prototype version of the PE scope which was only different from the later serial production model by a different elevation adjustment. It comes with the original mount (very first mounts only had numbers on them, no letters). Scopes with this type of elevation adjustment were made in 1932 and 1933. The original manufacturer markings were scrubbed by a previous owner, most possibly already when brought back as war trophy.

  • Ajack 4×90 scope on Finnish M39/43 sniper rifle

    This rare rifle is one of the only 500 Finnish M39/43 sniper rifles ever made. Note the “combination” of the German scope with the “German style SSR lever and pin” on the base with the “Russian style middle mount”.

  • Winchester A5 sniper scope on Whitehead mount for SMLE

    Here is a WWI Enfield SMLE rifle fitted with the scarce Whitehead mount and a Winchester A5 scope. A one of a kind configuration in the collection world but not the best sniper setup of its time, from an engineering point of view.

  • 1915 Periscopic Prism Company Ltd. Sniper scope for SMLE

    1915 Periscopic Prism Company Ltd. Sniper scope, used on Enfield SMLE (serial n° 6133 Y) during WW1. Even if several scope models were used by the United Kingdom during WWI, the 1915 P.P.Co was the most used by British snipers.

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