Dates of manufacture for Zelvier scopes
- Thread starter bob32268
- Start date
I would not consider myself an expert, but I believe many Zeiss Zelvier and Zeiss Zeilsechs scopes were used on legit sniper rifles prior to changing to the three letter code system.
www.wwiigermansniper.com
At least documented on the single-claw, but if I recall properly, other rifles as well.
Single Claw | wwiigermansniper
www.wwiigermansniper.com
At least documented on the single-claw, but if I recall properly, other rifles as well.
WTB section on this forum, some reputable dealers and sometimes Ebay (but there are many fakes).
I imagine that you are likely trying to restore a sniper or make a sniper clone. Decide on which type of sniper you want first (SSR, LSR, High Turret, Single Claw, etc.). Once you know what type of sniper you want, that will dictate what type of scope you are looking for and which codes would be appropriate.
The K98 books authored and published by the founders of this website are a great reference and so is the www.wwiigermansniper.com page (also a member of this forum). If you do a search on the type of sniper you want to build on this forum there will be good examples of legit rifles and fakes.
I imagine that you are likely trying to restore a sniper or make a sniper clone. Decide on which type of sniper you want first (SSR, LSR, High Turret, Single Claw, etc.). Once you know what type of sniper you want, that will dictate what type of scope you are looking for and which codes would be appropriate.
The K98 books authored and published by the founders of this website are a great reference and so is the www.wwiigermansniper.com page (also a member of this forum). If you do a search on the type of sniper you want to build on this forum there will be good examples of legit rifles and fakes.
The 18,5xx scope was made in the mid 1920s. I think 1926.
@vaughn99 would know the exact year, since he got a list with serial#/year from the Zeiss company.
The scope might be an ex Reichswehr sniper scope. Photos showing the elevation adjustment would help.
Most of the Reichswehr sniper scopes were sold in the 1930s, but some were reissued with the Low Turret Mount in the early days of the war.
@vaughn99 would know the exact year, since he got a list with serial#/year from the Zeiss company.
The scope might be an ex Reichswehr sniper scope. Photos showing the elevation adjustment would help.
Most of the Reichswehr sniper scopes were sold in the 1930s, but some were reissued with the Low Turret Mount in the early days of the war.
Mikegermany
Member
It is interesting that there are list with manufacture dates belong to serial numbers. There was no system in the numbering at the Zeiss production, so every modell was numbered following manufacturing.
I have spend days in the Zeiss archive on the hunt for documents about civil / hunting scopes and found an lot of documents, also documents for military used Zeiss scopes.
But not one document that relates SN to manufacturing dates, also not in the documents that are already digitized. Its an kind of mystery that you often read about these lists in forums, but never see these.
I have spend days in the Zeiss archive on the hunt for documents about civil / hunting scopes and found an lot of documents, also documents for military used Zeiss scopes.
But not one document that relates SN to manufacturing dates, also not in the documents that are already digitized. Its an kind of mystery that you often read about these lists in forums, but never see these.
Thank you so much for the information, it seems that it will be very helpful. Yes, I am doing a sniper clone for target shooting purposes. Base rifle is a byf 42. I believe this early turret sniper would be a
low turret...but depending on the scope make you have to be concerned with bolt/rear ocular bell interference ?? If this is the case I may then go for the High-turret sniper...Any advice on this ?
Tks,
Bob32268
Thank you for the information Mike !
Bob32268
Generally, if you want to make a clone, you want to make it as 'correct' as possible. Most snipers were only made by a single maker or a limited number of makers and only during specific years.
byf42 https://www.wwiigermansniper.com/zf-39-turret would be correct. There may be others...for example for an LSR only CE and BCD receivers would be correct and only during certain years of production. Take a read through each variation and figure out what might be correct for a byf42 and then you can move forward on selecting the platform you like best. Once you have the platform, that will determine the scope you need.
byf42 https://www.wwiigermansniper.com/zf-39-turret would be correct. There may be others...for example for an LSR only CE and BCD receivers would be correct and only during certain years of production. Take a read through each variation and figure out what might be correct for a byf42 and then you can move forward on selecting the platform you like best. Once you have the platform, that will determine the scope you need.
Thanks for your reply. Yes, I definitely want to do this project as a turret mount, and a ZF-39 would be the prime candidate for this. I'm aware that the ZF-39 is currently reproduced
(country of origin is China)...but I wanted the rifle to be all German and that would be a German made ZF-39. (Do you know where any correct ZF-39's could be found ?)
I have WTB ad in Gunbroker and few other places).
Tks,
Bob32268
French Dealer - but most of his 'reproduction' mounts are at least European produced.
There were some reproduction German made mounts made years ago, but they are all sold out. If you put in a WTB - someone might have one in storage and be willing to sell.