Mr. Robert's, thank you very much for your response and knowledge. Funny enough, I was actually just reading through a thread nearly 7 years old about Zeiss Zelvier disassembly that you were replying to all those years back. I recently acquired a 4X Zeiss Zelvier in the 45XXX serial block (would be interested to get an idea of date of manufacture if you know). I unfortunately purchased one that has old half-moon claw mounts attached with solder that will have to be removed. I didn't realize that this was a large job until after I asked for some advice on various FB pages and got told that the scope should absolutely be disassembled before removing the soldered claw mounts with heat. The idea of disassembling the scope is quite scary to me. If you have any advice on disassembling the scope, please advise. If you have any loose scopes (accurate to WW2 era scopes) you'd be willing to part with and sell, please let me know. Thanks! Luckily I paid less than 200 for the 45XXX Zeiss Zelvier with claw mounts attached and it appears to be in very good working condition so I think that's a very fair price.
Hey Dave & other gentlemen, thank you so much for the replies. It really means a lot. As for what I'm wanting to build for sniper rifles, over time, I'd like to build an example of just about every example of WW2 era German sniper- objective claw mount w/various scope, SSR, Low Turret/High Turret, & LSR. I've got Waffenmeister SSR & High Turret mounts on the way as well as some type of European made SSR mount buy in the process as well. My biggest issues currently are finding decent K98 rifle candidates to build sniper platforms out of and acquiring the respectful scopes. I'm a 27 year old engineer, living in NW Ohio to give you guys a bit of background info on myself. Been into WW1/WW2 related history since I was a little one and I've been collecting my entire life. Especially when I turned 16 and could legally buy long guns in Ohio. Have my C&R as well which has been quite helpful.
Hey Biggy, I must admit, the idea of disassembling/reassembling the scope is a bit daunting. I really don't want to damage anything. I'd much rather prefer to have a competent scope expert/gunsmith do the work. As for my plans with it, I think a low turret build would be a really cool idea with it. Just struggling to find decent K98s. Lots of nuts on GB bidding Soviet Captures to 12-1500+ hasn't been the most helpful when it comes to acquiring K98s. Also, when it comes to removing the old claw mounts, does the entire scope body have to be reblued? Or can the areas where the mounts were just be touched up?
Biggy, do you have any experience on what a competent gunsmith would charge for the work on a scope like the ones we've been discussing? -Disassemble, mount removal, refinish, reassemble
Hey Biggy, I ended up looking into a company named Iron Sight, LLC out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. I spoke to the owner over the phone. Really nice guy. Company is veteran owned/operated. I just sent my Zeiss Zielvier out to him today. He's going to disassemble the scope, remove the claw mounts & old solder, have the scope tube hot blued, and reassemble. Charging me 375 and that includes return shipping. I thought that this was a very fair price. Unfortunately there is a 4-6 month turnaround time but I reckon that's to be expected when dealing with a very reputable company that does this type work. Another well known optics servicing company out if Montana that I was looking into won't even touch European optics so I feel very fortunate to have been recommended Iron Sights, LLC. I wish I didn't have to get the scope reblued as the original bluing is so nice but he and many other people have recommended it as 100% necessary. I'm really looking forward to getting the optic back
Hey Dave, I shot you an email. Let me know if you get it, thanks!
