Gew 98 Night Sights - For Review

[PatickD]

Hi guys,

I’ve been looking for a nice set of Gew 98 night sights for a while. Found these guys. I was hoping for some thoughts on authenticity. They look ok to me. Would just appreciate verification.

Thanks for any thoughts,
-Danny

 

[Philip]

I noticed that the thread is not exactly seizing up due to excessive responses. I have handled a few sets of real ones both the machined and stamped versions. I know nothing of what the fakes look like nor can I say that I know every possible variation of the real ones. These appear to be painted aluminum alloy to me. I may be very wrong as I’m only going from photos but a magnet would clear up any question. I also think that the radon or whatever it is looks different in this example from the few others I’ve handled but after 100 years I imagine that there could be many different appearances. The markings are also something I’ve not seen or at least recall seeing before but that means little. I wish that I could be a better help but I would recommend that you carefully compare to close up photos of originals and go from there.

 

[PatickD]

I noticed that the thread is not exactly seizing up due to excessive responses. I have handled a few sets of real ones both the machined and stamped versions. I know nothing of what the fakes look like nor can I say that I know every possible variation of the real ones. These appear to be painted aluminum alloy to me. I may be very wrong as I’m only going from photos but a magnet would clear up any question. I also think that the radon or whatever it is looks different in this example from the few others I’ve handled but after 100 years I imagine that there could be many different appearances. The markings are also something I’ve not seen or at least recall seeing before but that means little. I wish that I could be a better help but I would recommend that you carefully compare to close up photos of originals and go from there.

Thanks for the comment. I’ll do some comparing.

 

[PatickD]

I purchased them. I think they look good.

They don’t look aluminum to me. I’ll be able to tell in person. Should be machined steel.

Machined ones are marked “Sudi” for Sudicatis, along with a number.

The actual radon (glass?) looks ok. Comparing to other examples. They all appear whitish.

It also doesn’t appear anyone is making reproductions of these (never say never). But I literally could not find any mention/reference of repros of these anywhere. I would imagine it’s too much of a niche item.

 

[luftpirate]

Test it with a dosimeter, I doubt fake ones would have any reactive material.

 

[PatickD]

Test it was a dosimeter, I doubt fake ones would have any reactive material.

That’s a great idea. I don’t think any of my friends have one in their tool kit though lol.

New tool time!

 

[krukster86]

Since this aligns with my line of work, a dosimeter (personal self reading dosimeter) would measure a persons exposure to ionizing radiation from the environment that they are exposed to as a whole. These typically are given in units of mrem. The radiation exposure from a luminous sight like this is negligible in comparison to being inside the reactor building of a nuke plant, so it would be useless.

If one wishes to detect finer levels of radiation of discrete sources, they should be using a “wand” G-M Counter. Industrial units for the nuclear industry are likely prohibitively expensive, but it looks like you can buy surplus Civil Defense units from the Cold War era made by Victoreen and other manufacturers for cheap. Otherwise, it appears that there are “cheap” hobbyist/commercial units available for under $100.

 

[Muncher 1953]

That’s a great idea. I don’t think any of my friends have one in their tool kit though lol.

New tool time!

it may require some digging, but perhaps you might rent one? Or expose the sight parts to bright light, then take into dark space & see if they glow?

 

[PatickD]

Since this aligns with my line of work, a dosimeter (personal self reading dosimeter) would measure a persons exposure to ionizing radiation from the environment that they are exposed to as a whole. These typically are given in units of mrem. The radiation exposure from a luminous sight like this is negligible in comparison to being inside the reactor building of a nuke plant, so it would be useless.

If one wishes to detect finer levels of radiation of discrete sources, they should be using a “wand” G-M Counter. Industrial units for the nuclear industry are likely prohibitively expensive, but it looks like you can buy surplus Civil Defense units from the Cold War era made by Victoreen and other manufacturers for cheap. Otherwise, it appears that there are “cheap” hobbyist/commercial units available for under $100.

You wouldn’t happen to have one of those said tools would you lol? Want to test the sights lol. Kidding… maybe not…?

 

[PatickD]

it may require some digging, but perhaps you might rent one? Or expose the sight parts to bright light, then take into dark space & see if they glow?

I wonder if UV light would have any affect?

 

[krukster86]

Unfortunately I do not.

 

[Philip]

I do have access to the two sets that I mentioned of course the machined set would be the only one relevant here. The luminous material has long lost its ability to work on the examples I’ve seen and based on conversations with other collectors who have them it’s the same..probably dead for 50-75 years…..much old watch dials from WWI, WWII and even later. Going back to a comparison with other examples, I don’t know how many markers there were or if these were all identical even if from one maker much less several. I believe when you get them in your hands that you will get a much better idea. I have no idea either if these have been faked or not. I know that trench magazines, breech covers and other related g98 bling has been reproduced for at least 30 years which is interesting inn that I doubt if 100 collectors had clue back then much less a care about any of this material. Back in 1969/70 I wrote letters (actually pecked out on a manual Royal typewriter) to every major US parts dealers I could find asking if they had any any of the night sights! As recall they all actually wrote me back! Mine had them nor really seemed to have ever heard of them.