I wanted to do a post on this accessory I acquired from Mike a while back.
For many years, these accessories were sold as "anti-aircraft sights" (Paul Scarlotta's problematic book also refers to them as AA), though the true use is a bit more mundane.
Manufactured by M. Wagner in Trier, the true purpose was for training. (Less sexy than anti-aircraft-- maybe that's why the dealers got creative?
) Wolfgang confirmed the training function.
From my understanding, this device enabled an instructor to see the sight picture of the shooter and correct issues with their sighting. One of my friends found a similar product from another company in a manual-- he sent this to me a couple years ago and I had forgotten I had it, but I have asked for copies of the full pages.
In any case, the sights are usable on both the 88 and 98 pattern rifles (though I have only tried them on one of my 98s.) The lower notch on the front sight is actually to accommodate the front sight blade from the 88. To versions exist; one with an adjustible rear sight and another with a fixed one (assumed to be later). This example is the adjustable one.
In any case, wanted to provide a little primer on a lesser known accessory. If I got anything wrong-- or missed something, please let me know.
What about the actual AA sight? This accessory was much different and was outlined briefly (ad a drawing pictured) in Storz. This was a design by a Dr. Oechelhauser, which was ordered by the military in 1915, but was a failure and deemed of no further value. I have not seen a surviving example.
Thanks for reading/looking.
For many years, these accessories were sold as "anti-aircraft sights" (Paul Scarlotta's problematic book also refers to them as AA), though the true use is a bit more mundane.
Manufactured by M. Wagner in Trier, the true purpose was for training. (Less sexy than anti-aircraft-- maybe that's why the dealers got creative?
) Wolfgang confirmed the training function. From my understanding, this device enabled an instructor to see the sight picture of the shooter and correct issues with their sighting. One of my friends found a similar product from another company in a manual-- he sent this to me a couple years ago and I had forgotten I had it, but I have asked for copies of the full pages.
In any case, the sights are usable on both the 88 and 98 pattern rifles (though I have only tried them on one of my 98s.) The lower notch on the front sight is actually to accommodate the front sight blade from the 88. To versions exist; one with an adjustible rear sight and another with a fixed one (assumed to be later). This example is the adjustable one.
In any case, wanted to provide a little primer on a lesser known accessory. If I got anything wrong-- or missed something, please let me know.
What about the actual AA sight? This accessory was much different and was outlined briefly (ad a drawing pictured) in Storz. This was a design by a Dr. Oechelhauser, which was ordered by the military in 1915, but was a failure and deemed of no further value. I have not seen a surviving example.
Thanks for reading/looking.
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