Third Party Press

ZF41 Study

Manual Mystery

Hello all
There are 2 variations of the manual for ZF41 called “D136/1”.
The only difference between them is the figures mentioned within. No dfference in the description.
The one with the following figure is well known because the picture is shown in both Senich’s (p.190) and Law’s (p.82) sniper books.
picB-1.jpg

But I have made up my mind to say this picture, and so this manual is a postwar fake.
After all, the manual is too poor to be true.
I have explained this in my website, so please take a look if you are interested.
http://zielfernrohr.b.la9.jp/index.htm
 
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Sorry, I just wanted to mention I have changed the server of my website, and so the URL is changed.
Thank you.
 
Hi all,
I am still sticking to the manuals.
I do not have enough evidence to prove that the “Manual B” is a fake, but I would like to show you again that some points are clear without doubt.
zielfernrohr160402.jpg
1 The scope shown on “Manual B” is not ZF41 but ZF41/1.
zielfernrohr160401.jpg
2 The scope is made by kov.
(The shape of the elevation spring.)
zielfernrohr099007.png
3 The scope tube is not sitting on the mount correctly.
(The position of the elevation spring.)

And from the picture of the container.
zielfernrohr160403.jpg
4 The klarinol cloth (c2) and the dust brush (c3) are absent.

Can you think the German ordnance officially published a manual like this?

Perhaps they really did, and I am wrong.
So I am still looking for further information.
 
Hello gents,
here is my latest aquisition.
zielfernrohr099009.jpg

Close-up on the rifle.
zielfernrohr099011.jpg

On the scope.
zielfernrohr099012.jpg

The scope is ZF41 type 1.
The rifle has laminated stock with flat buttplate, H-upper band and front sight hood.

And with the info that the reversible Winteranzug was introduced during the winter of 1942-43, I assume the picture is from Russia that winter.
 
To Dave Roberts

Dave,
I have tried to reply your PM, but cannot. It says your quota is full.
Ken
 
Number of lenses

I have realized that I had made a misunderstanding on the lens system of ZF41 and ZF41/1.
2 erecting lenses inside the erector cell are both doublets, which means there are 4 elements in 2 groups.

So here is the correction

ZF41 has 9 elements (lenses) in 6 groups.
2+1 in objective cell, 2+2 for erecting lens, 1+1 for ocular lens.
The main objective lens and 2 erecting lenses are doublets (2 lenses as one), while other lenses are single lenses.
The main ocular lens is buried into the ocular tube and cannot be taken out.
2 erecting lenses (doublets) are separated by a spacer and held in their positions within the erector cell.

ZF41/1 is a simplified version of ZF41 and has less lenses.
It has 7 elements in 4 groups. 2 in objective, 2+2 for erecting, 1 for ocular.


I have read the book “German Sniper Rifles /The propaganda Photo Series,Vol.VII”.
It still has some mistakes on ZF41 series and perhaps on 4 power scopes too.
Do not just believe it because it is written so in a book. They may be wrong, like “Karabiner43 is 5cm shorter than Gewehr43”.
 
I am always learning and I have to correct myself again.
The erector lenses of ZF41/1 were not doublets but single (double-convex) lenses.
So once again, ZF41/1 has 5 lenses in 4 groups.

Here is a conclusion of my current understandings.
I have made a diagram showing the internal difference of ZF41 series.
ZF41 lens.jpg

For more information:
http://zielfernrohr.b.la9.jp/zielfernrohr_013.htm
 
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