Panzer Stabilized Gun Sights

[Paidoskixos]

Have you came to the conclusion that so much is written on panzers, but so few on panzer fire control? This time I wonder if someone knows about the stabilized gunsights developed by Kreiselgeräte, Leitz and Zeiss. I know that their designations were S.Z.F.1, 2 and 3, as well as Turmwinkelzielfernrohr 1, 2 and 3. Any images known?

[marko455]

I have a TWZF 3 and have been searching to find out what it is exactly. Your post here is the most direct reference I've found online. Can you share the source of your information?

[Yoozername]

I guess you bought this?

https://www.proxibid.com/Military-Artif ... n/59262631

[marko455]

Yep

[Yoozername]

Can you post a picture of the reticle? Could this possibly be used in the 'Hetzer' or StuG remote MGs? The magnification seems small for a tank gun.


http://www.pzfahrer.net/hetzermgs.html

[marko455]

Will do once it arrives. I’ve found very little about it. Supposedly it’s mentioned in a book called ‘Germany’s Tiger Tanks’, so am tracking that down. While it seems clear at the moment it is later war technology, it doesn’t use a three letter code for Zeiss which is perplexing. Anyhoo, I’ll post that picture probably later next week.

[Contender]

Can you post a picture of the reticle?

I concur if the owner is willing to post a reticle picture it could help uncover what this is for.
Might be a bunker optic possibly (1.75x & 40°fov).

Could this possibly be used in the 'Hetzer' or StuG remote MGs? The magnification seems small for a tank gun.

It is most certainly not for the remote mg the ZF 1128 was used for that purpose :

[marko455]

Turns out the one pictured up top was sold to the Swiss. I assume after WWII, but not totally sure. Here is a link where I found something more concrete about this piece.

https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums ... Optic+ebaY

Here is a photo of the reticle that was requested. It does show the 'k' as described in the linked post.

[Yoozername]

It certainly appears to be a MG sight then. maybe sights out to 2000 meters. The silver ring appears to be a bearing surface. It would be interesting to see how it mounts.

[marko455]

It is very heavy... probably 25 lbs. I agree that the silver ring was its mount. The armature, if flexed forward and back, made the crosshairs flex down and up. Very interesting piece of kit. BTW, due to the fact that it ended up being Swiss issue and likely post war, I thought to ask the auction house if they'd consider me returning it for a refund because they'd advertised it as a 'WWII Nazi German Panzer or Flak Optic'. Amazingly they agreed. I liked it quite a bit, but paid a premium for collectability based on their statement. If I'd paid (a lot) less, I would have kept it. Perhaps you'll see it again for auction soon.

[Yoozername]

I would guess it is mounted by first pushing it up through the roof opening, and the silver surface is then in an external bearing. that is the actual bearing is in the roof. It would then be attached to the weapon, and then calibrated.

I would take many detailed pics if returning it.

PS I am pretty sure it is also not a Nazzi periscope

[Mobius]

It looks Russian.

[H_Ackermans]

Turmwinkelzielfernrohr 3 would replace the Turmzielfernrohr 9d on the Tiger Ausf. B. This would eliminate the opening for the gunsight in the turret frontplate. The optics would protrude through the turret roof and be protected by an armoured dome. Page 147 in Jentz and Doyle's VK 45.02 to Tiger II details this. A stabilized version was also under development.

It looks similar to the Turm Rundblick Fernrohr 3 fitted on the Maus.