1918 to 1945

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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.

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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”.

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1937 PEM sniper scope with straight top mount for Mosin Nagant 91/30

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M84 sniper scope with its original mount for the M1D Garand. These scopes were used on M1D, M1C or 1903A4 rifles. The first M84’s were produced at the very end of the WWII but the M84 probably didn’t see combat until the Korean war.

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PEM scope made at the Progress plant in 1939 and mounted on a Tula made side rail mount for Mosin Nagant 91/30.

Here is a P. Köhler scope on short side rail (SSR) mount. This civilian scope was “militarized” by adding the rifle serial on the scope and on the mount. This set was most likely used by military police before the World War II or by the SS.

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This ZF39 type scope was made by K. Kahles in Wien. These 4×60 sniper scopes were given the code “cad” during WWII. They were used on SSR, LSR and high turret mounts (like this one).

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Opticotechna Dialytan 4x dow

Hensoldt Wetzlar Dialytan 4x “bmj” , used with single claw mount

Dr.W.Gerard M4x scope with unit markings still engraved

Ground dug ZF4 (ddx) scope and mount

Snipers training at a sniper school in a French village, using P14 rifles with Periscopic Prim Co. Ltd Mod.1918 scopes (27 July 1944).

Lance Corporal A P Proctor, 56th Division, cleaning his rifle, 24 November 1943.

ZF41 coded “ddv” (Oculus, Spezialfabrik Ophthalmologischer Instrumente, Berlin)

1937 (Progress) PEM scope

Ground dug Russian PEM sniper scope with its mount. Adjustement turrets still work, view through the scope is still possible and reticle remains perfect.

ZF41/1 coded “kov” (Etablissement Barbier, Bénard et Turenne, Paris)

ZF41 Carrying case with WaA542

Complete list of PU variants list by Alexander Yuschenko

During WWII, British snipers used the No.32 as main scope on the Lee Enfield rifle. Variations from MKI to MK IV were made and used even after 1945. This late one was manufactured by Alex Kershaw & Son in 1945.–

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This scope was made by Carl Zeiss in Jena. The Zielvier 4×81 model characteristics were used as a standard for the “ZF39” denomination. Following its meter dial and serial number, this scope was probably used by the Reichswehr in the late 20’s or early 30’s.

Below you can see two pictures both showing German snipers using K98k mounted with Zeiss Zielvier scopes on turret mount.

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I.O.R. 4,25 X 28 scope with its original mount, used on VZ24 rifle during WWII era.

This ZF.41 complete set was dug out in Russia, where it was used on the easter front. Some markings are still visible on the mount and carrying can. Interesting fact is that it came with its original knarinol cloth and dust brush (not pictured).

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Another type III ZF41/1. This one is coded “dow”, related to Opticotechna G.m.b.H., in Prerau, Czech.

Here is a type III ZF41/1 coded “gkp” (Rufs & Co manufacturer in Kassel)

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For comparison wit the ZF.41 below, this ZF41/1, also coded “cxn” (Emil Busch A.-G., Optische Industrie, Rathenow), is a later type II sight. This model doesn’t use flat rollers anymore.

Here is an early Z.F.41 made by Emil Busch A-G in Rathenow (code cxn). The “K.F.” marking (Kältefest) indicates that the scope was lubricated with cold-resistant grease “Invarol”. Early ZF41 sights used flat rollers mounts.

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Romanian I.O.R. scope mounted on a Czech VZ.24 sniper rifle. Below is a rare picture of a sniper holding a VZ.24 with an I.O.R. scope. The soldier behind is holding an Orita 1941 smg.

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Here is an extremely rare set : an Aldis Scope with Alexander Martin mount for the P.14 rifle. Only 421 of these rifles were made and a very few of them remain today.

ZF41/1 coded bearing the code “kov”, related to the manufacturer Etablissement Barbier, Bénard et Turenne, Paris.

ZF41/1 coded “cxn” for the manufacturer Emil Busch A.-G., Optische Industrie in Rathenow. The “M” marking meaning remains unknown today.

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Dialytan 4x on high turret mount. The code “dkl” stands for the manufacturer Josef Schneider Optische Werke in Bad-Kreuznach. The rear foot shows the “RW” proof stamp.

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ZF39 Leather protection caps

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Leather protection caps used on ZF39-type scopes during WWII. WaA414 refers to Hensoldt & Sohne Optische Werke A-G, Wetzlar from 1939 to 1942

PEM scope made at the Progress plant factory in 1939. The places where the bluing is still intact show that this scope was mounted on its rifle with a lateral mount.

PU sniper scope made in 1943 at the Progress plant factory. The different meter dial fonts on both adjustment turrets and the “CB” mark mean that this scope was originally made for SVT40 but has been modified later to be mounted on Mosin Nagant 91/30

4x rifle scope made by Dr. W. Gerard in Charlottenburg. This one has a Reichswehr type mount and was probably used for training during the 30’s.

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Here is a ground-dug K.Kahles 4×60 wearing the war-code “cad”. The recoil ring tells that this scope was mounted on its K98k with a LSR mount. To some people, these dug scopes are just a piece of junk. For me these items are really interesting. While we’re seeing more and more fakes in our small collecting world, these pieces coming from the ground don’t lie on their history.

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This PEM scope was one of the few PEM scopes made in 1939 at the Kharkov Machine-Building Plant (FED), while most of them were made at the Progress plant. The front part of a lateral mount is still present.

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Here we have an early I.O.R. 4,25 x 28 sniper scope used on VZ.24 rifles. I.O.R. is the acronym for Întreprinderea Optică Română (Romanian Optical Enterprise). This major optics company established in 1936 in Bucharest, Romania.

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W.R. Weaver Co. Mod. M73B1 sniper scope used on Remington or Springfield 1903 A4 rifles. This scope was originally the civilian Weaver 330 mod. C scope, slightly modified for sniper use during WWII.

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Below : an excellent quality picture showing PFC Edward Foley with the 36th division (Italy 1944), holding his 1903A4 mounted with a Weaver M73B1 scope.

PFC Edward Foley with the 36th division (italy) 1944

The J. Unertl 8x sniper scope is probably the biggest scope used during Word War II. As you can see on the markings, it was used by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Here is a WWI leather carrying case made for the Warner and Swasey Mod. 1913 telescopic sight. R.I.A marking stands for Rock Island Arsenal.

ZF41 Carrying Case (Type 4)

ZF.41 Carrying Can. The sand color, D type ring, WaA542 and internal hinge tell us that’s a type 4 can. Note that the tan color was not especially issued to the Afrika Korps.

SSR Hensoldt Wetzlar Dialytan 4x

This is an early reworked G98 configuration with SSR mount (type 2) used by the SS. We “often” see Ajack 4×90 scopes with this SS configuration but Hensoldt 4x scopes are much more uncommon, even more with matching mount and/or rifle. Note the typical SS runes on the elevation turret and the rifle serial number reported on the scope main tube. Collection and pictures : Dave Roberts

Here is a very sought after 4x scope. This ZF39 was made the manufacturer J. Schneider Optische Werke in Bad Kreuznach, war code “dkl”. This one is mounted on a LSR mount and comes with its matching carrying can and sunshade.

Very rare wooden carrying case used during the inter-war period for the Austrian C.Reichert 4x sniper scope. “HV” is the Heeresverwaltung stamp (army administration) while “31” shows the date 1931.

Another rare PEM scope also made in 1943, during the siege of Leningrad. Note the simplified Smirnskiy mount, expedient canvas lens covers and brass tube, roughly made of loose parts due to the lack of materials and machinery during the siege.

Here is a very are PEM scope made in 1943 by the Gomz factory, during the siege of Leningrad. This one still has its original expedient canvas lens caps and cover. Side rail mount is made by Izhevsk factory.

SS Dienstglas Ajack 4×90

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Early civilian Ajack 4×90 scope modified to be used by the Waffen SS snipers. These scopes were used on reworked G98 rifles with SSR mount. Note the typical SS 1-3 meter dial and the rifle numbed engraved on the scope main tube. On the other side of the elevation turret should be a skull and cross bones along with SS runes and the marking “Diesntglas” but it was erased post-war on this scope.

Here is a very uncommon rifle scope made by the Société Belge d’optique (Gand) and used on Belgian Mauser 1935 or 1936. Unfortunately, I was not able to find a lot of information about this scope. Feel free to contact me if you can help, thank’s.