NARA document on JP Sauer ZF

bruce98k

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Dug this out of NARA tonite when looking for material for V4.

Approx. translation:

Army Acceptance Inspector IX,(15) Erfurt, May 30, 1944 Call: 22436/Ext. 21

from May 28, 1944

H Abnet bad. Fa. Sauer & Sohn, Suhl,

The following copy of the decision Wa A on the above process for your information.

J.A. gez. Kezel.

Army Ordnance Office

Aπ. 72 6 30/42 Abn 1/IIIa (2) Wünsdorf, May 26, 1944 Call: Zossen 751 Ext. 508
Army Acceptance Inspector IX, Erfurt.

Subject: H Abn J IX Ref. 72 b-IV- dated April 17, 1944: Zeroing the K 98k with commercially available scope.

Re: The simplification proposal submitted by the head of the H Dept. b.C., Sauer & Sohn, regarding the sighting of the K 98k with a commercially available telescopic sight is rejected on the basis of the following statement by Wa Prüf 1.

1a. The assumption that sighting the K 98k via the rear sight and front sight makes a repeated check of the dispersion of the K 98k with a telescopic sight unnecessary is incorrect, because attaching the telescopic sight mount (occurrence of tension) sometimes makes the dispersion so unfavorable that such weapons are not suitable for equipping with a telescopic sight. Therefore, in order to provide the operator with a perfectly firing weapon, the dispersion and point of impact of the K 98k equipped with the telescopic sight must be determined

b) Zeroing the weapon with single shots and, in between, progressively adjusting the telescopic sight will not always ensure quick and correct adjustment of the telescopic sight with just a few shots due to the natural dispersion of the ammunition.

c) The suggestion that only the mean point of impact of the three shots fired should be in a circle of 70 mm in diameter represents an unacceptable widening for the K 98k with a telescopic sight compared to the currently valid conditions that three out of five shots must be in a circle of 70 mm in diameter. Proof of this is the statement in paragraph 4 of the letter dated March 28, 1944 that of the 27 targets fired with five shots under the previous conditions, only 12 meet the requirements, while the remaining 15 do not meet the requirement of three shots in a circle or dispersion.

2) It goes without saying that, in order to fulfill the simplified conditions and to forego the determination of the dispersion, fewer cartridges are required for the shot. However, it must not be forgotten that the riflescope shooter can only fulfill the tasks assigned to him with a weapon that has a flawless point of impact despite a low dispersion. The additional ammunition required to fulfill this purpose is compensated for by the riflescope shooter's success in front-line operations at long range.

B.
 

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Dug this out of NARA tonite when looking for material for V4.

Approx. translation:

Army Acceptance Inspector IX,(15) Erfurt, May 30, 1944 Call: 22436/Ext. 21

from May 28, 1944

H Abnet bad. Fa. Sauer & Sohn, Suhl,

The following copy of the decision Wa A on the above process for your information.

J.A. gez. Kezel.

Army Ordnance Office

Aπ. 72 6 30/42 Abn 1/IIIa (2) Wünsdorf, May 26, 1944 Call: Zossen 751 Ext. 508
Army Acceptance Inspector IX, Erfurt.

Subject: H Abn J IX Ref. 72 b-IV- dated April 17, 1944: Zeroing the K 98k with commercially available scope.

Re: The simplification proposal submitted by the head of the H Dept. b.C., Sauer & Sohn, regarding the sighting of the K 98k with a commercially available telescopic sight is rejected on the basis of the following statement by Wa Prüf 1.

1a. The assumption that sighting the K 98k via the rear sight and front sight makes a repeated check of the dispersion of the K 98k with a telescopic sight unnecessary is incorrect, because attaching the telescopic sight mount (occurrence of tension) sometimes makes the dispersion so unfavorable that such weapons are not suitable for equipping with a telescopic sight. Therefore, in order to provide the operator with a perfectly firing weapon, the dispersion and point of impact of the K 98k equipped with the telescopic sight must be determined

b) Zeroing the weapon with single shots and, in between, progressively adjusting the telescopic sight will not always ensure quick and correct adjustment of the telescopic sight with just a few shots due to the natural dispersion of the ammunition.

c) The suggestion that only the mean point of impact of the three shots fired should be in a circle of 70 mm in diameter represents an unacceptable widening for the K 98k with a telescopic sight compared to the currently valid conditions that three out of five shots must be in a circle of 70 mm in diameter. Proof of this is the statement in paragraph 4 of the letter dated March 28, 1944 that of the 27 targets fired with five shots under the previous conditions, only 12 meet the requirements, while the remaining 15 do not meet the requirement of three shots in a circle or dispersion.

2) It goes without saying that, in order to fulfill the simplified conditions and to forego the determination of the dispersion, fewer cartridges are required for the shot. However, it must not be forgotten that the riflescope shooter can only fulfill the tasks assigned to him with a weapon that has a flawless point of impact despite a low dispersion. The additional ammunition required to fulfill this purpose is compensated for by the riflescope shooter's success in front-line operations at long range.

B.
Hi Bruce, that’s good stuff. Congrats for the find ! Some fluent German speakers (not me) may help you improve the translation.
It sounds like they test-fired a rifle without the optic, then with the optic and Sauer wanted to get rid of that second step.
I hope Vol IV is progressing well
Cheers

EDIT: it might be obvious for many here, but this "simplification proposal" is part of the never-ending process of "rationalization":
The important part of the decree that applies here is this one:
"At the same time, however, an attempt should be made under all circumstances to ensure that the effectiveness and usability of the weapons and the military equipment are not impaired as a result, insofar as this could result in important or even combat-decisive disadvantages."
It is very likely that when "effectiveness and usability" was at stake, the approval of Wa. Prüf/WaA was required.
 
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H Abnet bad. Fa. Sauer & Sohn, Suhl,
Should read as "H Abnst b.d.Fa.Sauer & Sohn" --> "Heeres Abnahmestelle bei der Firma Sauer & Sohn"

The "commercially available scope" IMHO is a bit of a misleading translation if one does not know the circumstances. I assume you are aware that this means not any commercially available scope, but those that were former commercial models and taken over to military service. No idea on how to make that wording better though.
 
I seem to have a link to T78 but cannot navigate over to T73.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/401880198
Here you go:

You just have to install an FTP client like WinSCP, follow the instructions in the post and on the websites and you're ready to go chasing rabbits ;)
It's safe (as far as I know).

Enjoy !
 
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