Pictures of ZF4 and parts for ZF4 |
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ZF4 scopes |
The scopes were mainly produced for the G/K43 rifles, but many were also produced
for use on the FG42 - marked "L". Few were actually used for this purpose. The same can be said about the "P"
marked scopes: tested on the MP43 and the "K.Z.F." marked scopes - used on swept back mounts for K98k.
with the special and not so common marking "L" - for use on the FG42. (Beware fakes are out there)
A not so cleverly made fake
The engraving style of the "L" changed several times dow and bzz must have stamped the number - before assembly - because the internal small and fragile parts would have been destroyed by the stamping. ddx must have grinded the number - after assembly - and after testing. See the pictures. The consequence must be that the no-good (and numbered) dow and bzz scopes were thrown into the junk heap. This also means that production of the two plants was less than the serial numbers indicate. It's a personal perception - I have not seen it elsewhere. The "Bu" scope Rare. A special reticle after an idea of Hauptmann Burk, Gebirgsjägerschule Mittenwald. The elevation drum is unmarked. It was only used when the gun was sighted in. On the right is a scope with a single post reticle . It is a "ddx" with the number 31874. I have no further information.
Rare. Used on the MP43 with side mount
Below a couple of pictures of a "P" scope sold in 2017. Note that the triangle has been moved. There is a thin tubular sleeve with engraved numbers and the letter P shrink fit onto an original drum that was slightly turned down on a lathe. That also can explain why the original triangle was replaced by a new off-set one since the graduation on the tubular sleeve didn't align correctly. It's told that the clicks are twice as numerous, lighter and more smoothly to adjust compared to the regular ZF4 scopes. However - most collectors think the scope is a fake. One of the reasons is the provenience; another is that the seller didn't claim it was original. There are more pictures on the MP44 / StG44 site. ![]() ![]() The "Threated Objective lens" scope Presumed to have been made by Voigtländer. Other than the standard triangle marking for the elevation dial, there are no other markings on these scopes. They have a "gas plug" which is typical for the last made Voigtländer scopes. The annular abutment grove is far deeper and set about 10mm to the rear. This makes fitting the standard ZF4 mount or using the standard rubber eyepice impossible, so it must have been a kind of test scope.
A real FG42 scope Rare. Marked "L" + FG 42 and a serial number. ![]() The "K.Z.F." scope Super rare. Some says that this scope was used on the K98k (Karabiner Zielfernrohr) for the "Swept Back Mount". The first picture shows a scope with "ddx" marking. The next scope with "dow" marking. Only one is known with that marking, and it must have been made very late in the war. The first version of the ZF4 scope was marked "Gw ZF 4". The producer codes were: 1) "dow", 2) "bzz" and 3) "ddx". "dow" changed later the marking to: "ZF K 43" and "ddx" added "K43" and at last used only "K43". The change came probably after December, 1944 when the name of the rifle was changed from G43 to K43. These scopes are apparently internally identical, but is this the same for "L" and "K.F.Z." marked scopes ? K43 marked scopes were used for the K43, barrel length: 55 cm. "L" marked scopes were used for the FG42, barrel length: 50 cm, and "K.F.Z. marked scopes were (perhaps) used for the K98k rifle, barrel length: 60 cm. All 3 weapons used the same ammunition and one must assume that the trajectory is about the same even though the length of the barrel is slightly different. All 3 types of scopes can be turned 14 clicks in the height adjustment, so it is my claim that all scopes are the same even though the marking is different. It's something else with "P" labeled scopes. The height adjustment only goes to 600 m, but I assume there are also 14 clicks here ? (may I get an input from a "P" scope owner !) The "Versuch" (Test) scope The marking is here: GZF 69V 037 ddx This should mean test #69, serial# 037 - some of these don't have the side adjustment (but this here has) German wartime ZF4s can be found with two types of reticle pattern: "blunt post with horizontal bars", and "pointed post with horizontal bars". ![]() ![]() One-piece stamped reticle Voigtländer used on their last production a "one-piece stamped reticle". It should be more sturdy than the first design which proved very fragile with several tiny parts. It's possible to see the construction without disassembly. Look from the front of the scope up against light and note that the sides just aren't up and down, but go at an angle out to the horizontal bars. (The photo is taken from Darrin Weavers book). The lowest recorded number with one-piece stamped reticle is ddx #70092 and it's marked K43. It might be possible to find earlier scopes with the stamped steel reticle (send me a mail) (such a scope with a very low number has been reported, but it's presumed that it has been repaired - the first ddx scopes were described as full of flaws). One-piece stamped reticles are always with a "pointed post". I have been presented with a very unique ZF4 with cross hairs and dot. It's marked Gw ZF4, 46665, ddx. I am told that the dot moves by turning the knobs. It is difficult to see the crosshairs but I can say that the scope is turned clockwise. I don't think I want to turn it back with the beautiful view in the background. "bzz" and "ddx" used always the "triangle" type. "dow" used up to very late in the war the "triangle", but the bold "arrow" appears after about number 40,000. All scopes made after the war have the bold arrow, so if you see a "ddx" or "bzz" scope marked with the bold arrow - then you are sure of fraud. At last a scope with a "real" arrow - seen only on the very first "ddx" scopes. ![]() ![]() ![]() ZF4 used in Czecho-Slovakia after the war The G43 was used by the Czechs after the war with the designation vz43. After the adoption of the vz52 and later the vz58, the Vz43's were relegated to reserve and training use. Many of the used scopes were normal ZF4 scopes produced during the German occupation. They have a horizontal line through the markings. Most of these are of the late K43 dow type. |
![]() The scope below is marked with a Czech lion and U 45 (made in 1945
?) The scope is marked on the left side: ZF K 43 dow
41628. These markings have the horizontal line.
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Scopes produced by the Czechs
aren"t marked ZF4 but has a number, 4x and an indication of field
view 4,5°. Note also vz43 and the 3-letter code: xbk. (A Czech ordnance code). On the left side: Z1 -
two swords - 49 and OM262. Note the unmarked drum. The last production year of scopes and mounts
for the vz43 was 1949.![]() ![]()
Unmarked elevation knob |
This knob is seen on a ddx 51585. The cut in the drum and the 3 screw holes are similar to other ZF4, but the small holding teeth are twice
as numberous as normal, meaning that the adjustment is more precise and maybe would not correspond
to the numbers found on other scopes. The clicks are lighter to adjust and not so noisy. The drum might have been made for a "Bu" scope or a "P" scope - see above. |
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