98 Reproduction Optics ?

[MJC]

I have a 98 that I love to shoot and I am considering adding some range to my shots. Does anyone manufacture historically accurate, yet reproduction, optics as used during the war? I enjoy the challenge of the longer shot, but I can't stomach any "incorrect" alteration.

Also, I'm looking to purchase bulk 8mm ammo, non-corrosive, if anyone has hints about this as well.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

[phild]

I have a 98 that I love to shoot and I am considering adding some range to my shots. Does anyone manufacture historically accurate, yet reproduction, optics as used during the war? I enjoy the challenge of the longer shot, but I can't stomach any "incorrect" alteration.

Also, I'm looking to purchase bulk 8mm ammo, non-corrosive, if anyone has hints about this as well.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

They are certainly making close copies of the mounts and bases for just about any mounting that you could want. Sarco and others offer these. As to the scope itself I know of no modern copies that have been made, but there are post war versions of many of the original period 4x scopes that are fairly close facsimiles for a fraction of the cost of the pre-45 version. These can be found from time to on ebay (for instance), but often are tauted as pre May 45 originals...so be carefull.

[Matt Weber]

Mike,

I've been through this exact same subject myself just over a year ago, so I know what you mean.

It really depends on what you want. If you are planning on mount a scope to a wartime K98, then I would suggest going with original optics, and not reproduction ones. If you want to make it look correct, then this is the way to do so.

First off, pick your rifle. I'm assuming you're using a K98? I'm also assuming that you have a shooter grade one your using right now? If not, then you can easily get a shooter grade K98. I picked up a import marked, "dot 42", with great bore. I did some open sight accuracy test with it, and found it to be a very accurate rifle. In fact, I got the rifle from none other than Bob Wittington! He told me it was the best shooter he has ever had!

Next, I searched for original scope and mounts! (these are sometimes hard to find). However, I did find several sets of these for sale. The real trick is to find the correct scope and rings that will go with your mounts! (example, I found a guy selling a nice scope with single claw rings on it, however, I couldn't find any single claw mounts for it!?)

I finally got really lucky. I found a collector in Canada who had a very nice 4X Hensoldt wartime scope with double claw rings soldered to the scope, and also had the matching double claw mounts for sale!!!

I paid $500 for the set, and took them along with my shooter k98 to my gunsmith, and asked if he could mount this for me. He did an excellent job, for only $120! It looks "correct" for a wartime sniper. Of course it won't fool anybody, and wasn't made for that reason.

All together, I paid $250 for the rifle, $500 for the scope and mounts, and $120 for the gunsmith. So for under $900 I got a nice "poor mans'" K98 double claw sniper! It shoots great, and I am using it as my deer rifle this year!

If this is what you are planning on doing, then I would recommend doing it the same way. Plan on spending $1,000 to do so, but it's worth it. If you already have a shooter k98, then that's just less you have to spend!

If you wish to see my "poor mans'" sniper, Let me know, and I'll post some pics of it up here.

Matt

[KenT]

I also have heard that no reproductions of war time military contract scopes (AJACK, bmj, bek, cad, dkl) are made. Post-war Hensoldt DIALYTANs are close to those military scopes (bmj, dkl) but the primal difference is that they all have focus ring which military scopes do not. Perhaps the best choice is to use early short side rail mount because you can use cheaper pre-war commercial scopes (Kahles Heliavier, Hensoldt Ziel-Dialyt, pre-war Ajack4x90 ...) on it.
Ken

[phild]

I pretty much agree with both Matt and Ken. I would say that I would be surprised if you can find a decent wartime military scope with original bases and mounts for under about $2500. I would have to say that I have seen several complete optic/mount sets for long rails and turrets bring in excess of $3500.

The claw type mount may be your best bet as they were extensively used on pre and post war commercial German rifles and drillings. The so-called ZF-39 pattern scopes meet fairly rigid set of criteria (given that they are a hodgepodge makers and models) and as mentioned by Ken they slightly differ from the pure commercial models of both the pre and post war periods.

I have a low turret sniper rifle that I found 25 years ago. I would hate to have to find and buy one now.

[Gog]

I have a 98 that I love to shoot and I am considering adding some range to my shots. Does anyone manufacture historically accurate, yet reproduction, optics as used during the war? I enjoy the challenge of the longer shot, but I can't stomach any "incorrect" alteration.

Mike

This member is obviously working to a budget and here you are telling him to spend umpteen thousands on a real sight and mounts. Have you seen what this stuff sells for nowadays???Sheesh!

Mike, you can pick up repro mounts in various places, Ebay for sure but there are other places. A company called SARCO make mounts I believe but you could also go to www.glockandload.com and ask about them there.
As for scopes, there are many immediate postwar scopes that are the same or similar to wartime ones. The DOT company re-released scopes after 1945 that are identical to their pre-45 models, they just have the new companies name on them instead of DOT but as I have just had a brain fart I can't recall what they changed thier name too even though I have one of the scopes at home. Once setup properly they look extremely realistic and above all, are affordable.
Anyway, try the above website, it is where the most knowledgable people in German scopes and mounts hang out.

Toodle-pip!

[KenT]

I am also a member of The G/K43 Forum (www.glockandload.com). I agree you can find many experts on G/K43 rifles and GwZF4 scopes/mounts there, but not so many on scopes in general. If you are looking for a real expert on European old scopes, I would recommend greggdw on Sniper Rifle Forum (http://k98k.com/forum.htm). And Robert, the owner of the forum makes high quality repro mounts. He had supplied them for SARCO.
Ken

[tankdriver]

I am also a member of The G/K43 Forum (www.glockandload.com). I agree you can find many experts on G/K43 rifles and GwZF4 scopes/mounts there, but not so many on scopes in general. If you are looking for a real expert on European old scopes, I would recommend greggdw on Sniper Rifle Forum (http://k98k.com/forum.htm). And Robert, the owner of the forum makes high quality repro mounts. He had supplied them for SARCO.
Ken

Greg has more knowledge on WW2 scopes that anyone I know. I have asked him to do a book, but no luck yet. Robert can do most anything you want done with mounts ans is very knowledgeable about scope in general.

[rk660]

Repro dailytan bmj models with or without sunshade can add recoil ring.
Coming soon bek scopes. I can e-mail you pics. No photos on web yet.
e-mail www.iron-elite.com

[Devilmorfose]

I hope I can get a reaction here within short time..

I found this scope on eBay and want to put it on my k98.. Will it pass for german sniper rifle?

[KenT]

Could be wrong, but I believe that type of Hensoldt DIALYTAN is post-war, saying from the shape of elevation housing and the existance of focus ring. Also, the commercial craw mount will not fit K98k.
Ken

[Gog]

This member is obviously working to a budget and here you are telling him to spend umpteen thousands on a real sight and mounts. Have you seen what this stuff sells for nowadays???Sheesh!

Mike, you can pick up repro mounts in various places, Ebay for sure but there are other places. A company called SARCO make mounts I believe but you could also go to www.glockandload.com and ask about them there.
As for scopes, there are many immediate postwar scopes that are the same or similar to wartime ones. The DOT company re-released scopes after 1945 that are identical to their pre-45 models, they just have the new companies name on them instead of DOT but as I have just had a brain fart I can't recall what they changed thier name too even though I have one of the scopes at home. Once setup properly they look extremely realistic and above all, are affordable.
Anyway, try the above website, it is where the most knowledgable people in German scopes and mounts hang out.

Toodle-pip!

DOT became MEOPTA after the war. Brain fart gone now. (it only took a month)