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