Ahh....Yes...I remember that post and your quandry.
And if Vaughn told you that the ssr was your only option then you can take it to the bank.
Have you considered reselling the scope and purchasing another in an attempt to expand your options..?
Just a thought..
Might set you back a little on your timeline ,but this whole thing will take longer than you think anyway...trust me.
Vaughn would be your man for the machine work also.
Another thing...in the event you decide you are going to purchase a different scope and go with the lsr ...try to avoid any scope that has a rear focus adjustment as the tightening of the rear band will bind up the focus dial...Not saying you couldnt work around it but why deal with it if you dont have to
LSR scopes were rear focus free ...Khales/Ajack 4x90/Hensoldt ...so you wil want the same also...good reason to use a Zeiss
All the indicators you mentioned are all you need...not to say there arent imitators of zeiss but they are blatantly obvious.
Serial # would be one indicator of postwar/war time/prewar....seems like 80K,or thereabouts, was end of wartime production for zielsechs...but I could be off somewhat...again vaughn would be your man for that info...he maintains a serial database on scope manufacturers.
Just keep an eye out on ebay and gunbroker...religiously...I once saw a nice zielsechs sell for 252.00 on ebay one nite...couldnt believe it.
Patience is the key in these things...
Vaughn does not need to know you personally to do your machine work...he works on guns from all over the country and rarely meets the customer.
The only impediment for you might be the cost of shipping the gun both ways from australia.
Seems like there are a couple of other aussies on this board and over @ ww2 weapons who might be able to point you to a G-smith on continent in your neck of the woods...I would inquire if I were you.
Good luck with your project..