Is this a Panzer part?

[Douglas Jr.]

Hi,

I do not have any knowledge about this subject, so I need your help.
A friend of mine sent me these pictures, and I would like to know if it is a pre-1945 periscope (or other related part) of a German tank or armoured vehicle.

These are the only pictures I have and no other information is available (inscriptions, codes, etc.).

Thanks in advance,

Douglas

[Gran Sasso]

Its french postwar. There is a 3 letter code plainly visible, it starts with an "A" (its 2 more letters, but cannot remember, also I guess there is an "X" also).

For some dealers the 3 letter code and material helps them to offer it as german WWII...

[Douglas Jr.]

Thanks for the input.

[Bullitt]

Hi

it is indeed a Postwar French episcope with marking "APX" but its an exact copy of the German bakelite models marked ERMA

only few originals pass by on e bay ....mostly the APX's are sold as original German


ciao
Bullitt

[RTY]

Letters are APX.

[kastensfh18]

Apx

APX indeed... APX sets for "Ateliers de Puteaux"
ERMA can be "Etablissement Régional de Matériel de l'Armée" I have one with "Steinheil Optik" that is german for sure !
But... but ...
I also saw a 2cm Flak scope dug-out from Normandy with the marking... APX along with german marking !!!
( Sorry the pic I have is somewhere and not digital ) So never say never ! We will be sure the day when we found it in some wreck !!!
I believe APX was producing stuff for the germans during WWII.

Eric

[kastensfh18]

Wwii apx

Hi guys !
While digging in my old prints of pics I found what I promised to show.

So. This optic is a sight for a 2cm Flak gun dug-out from Normandy. It shows both german identification and APX code.











Who can answer why it is easier to found APX episcopes in Germany than in France ? Do french forces in Germany traded their optics for schnapps ?

Eric

[mlespaul]

Hmm,

Curious as to why, if APX was producing optics for III Reich in Occupied France, they wouldn't also have been required to have the normal identification stamp. It almost looks as through it was an independant production, which I can't see why OKW or WaPruf 8 would allow that.


Did APX resume production of optical items for the Allies after France was liberated? Was this produced for use on captured 2 cm flak guns for use against the axis?

Are you sure this came from Normandy? Not to rain on anyone's parade, but the ZF 3x8 design was copied by many NATO and Soviet Bloc countries for use on their ever increasing sizes of Flak guns, which also needed ground sights, and the 3x8 patterns were readily available.

Just a thought...not saying you wrong....

[kastensfh18]

Hi !
I understand your questions.
All I can say is that this scope comes from Normandy. Not a dug-out item but the lenses were messed : it was not possible to see through.

Eric