Historically Accurate (1 Viewer)

[Leadmen]

Closeups of a German sniper rifle scope from WWII. Leadmen

 

[sceic2]

Hi Guys, Re the “Flag Issue” on the 101st Airborne. I too had read about some but definitely not all 101 troopers wearing the flag on their shoulder during the Normandy operation. I made the “call” on that one because I love that big old “stars ‘n’ stripes” on the para shoulders and meant it as a tribute to all U.S. airborne units. So, apologies if its inclusion offended some purists. Many years ago the great American movie director John Ford was being criticized for the accuracy of his U.S. Cavalry uniforms in his western movies – “Fort Apache” … “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” etc. “But Mr. Ford”, his critic insisted, “The U.S. Cavalry never looked like the way you portray them in your movies …” Ford thought about that and then replied, “I know they didn’t … but that’s the way they should have looked!” Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! Best wishes and…happy collecting! Andy C.

I anyone does not like the US flag on the airborne, they can always paint it over. Just match the uniform colors and go ahead, "make your day."

Andy, I like'm the way they are.

 

[nmrocks]

Closeups of a German sniper rifle scope from WWII. Leadmen

Thats truly a fine piece of history, I'm green with envy.
Thanks for sharing it.
Ray

 

[Chuck Harris]

Closeups of a German sniper rifle scope from WWII. Leadmen

How in the H#@! did anyone get a sight picture? On a hot day it be hard to hit a big barn.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

I have to agree with Chuck even though I have some very fine German glass on one of my hunting rifles the eye relief for that scope would be a real issue. However, I have also seen a photo of the same model with the scope mounted further back so it seems like it could be mounted in more than one position as per the like or dislike of the shooter. I'm curious to know what the sight picture looks like and how is the reticle laid out? Anyway you can set the rifle up and snap a pic through the scope for us?

Take care

Dave

 

[Njja]

Here are a couple of shots of a 1940 Model 42 Luger "Carry Home" with

matching serial numbers.

Njja

 

[Njja]

Beautiful weapon ready to fire.

Njja

 

[OzDigger]

Closeups of a German sniper rifle scope from WWII. Leadmen

Thanks for the pics Leadmen. It's difficult to say exactly what rifle it is from the pics but appears to be a standard 7.92mm Karabiner or 7.9mm Gewehr. If so, overall length should be 1107.5 mm and barrel 739 mm.

 

[Leadmen]

The rifle is the Kar98 type. I don't know if I can take a pic of the sight picture but will try. Looks like rifle needs cleaning. Pics shows rust spots that I did not notice before. I store it in a dry closet in a rifle bag. Any ideas for a better way to keep rust from appearing? John

 

[OzDigger]

The rifle is the Kar98 type. I don't know if I can take a pic of the sight picture but will try. Looks like rifle needs cleaning. Pics shows rust spots that I did not notice before. I store it in a dry closet in a rifle bag. Any ideas for a better way to keep rust from appearing? John

Yep, it would be the Kar98k (the 'k' being kurz or short carbine) with the shorter barrel and the sling being attached through the stock.

You are correct, the metal could do with some cleaning up, but the stock is in excellent order. It can be difficult to remove rust especially if you don't want to remove the natural patina (normal wear and tear) on the metal as this can affect the value.

The ideal would be to remove the rust without scratching the barrel etc or producing shiny areas. Perhaps you could try an old toothbrush to see if it gets the rust off, I've had some success with fine wet and dry emery paper but it can leave shiny areas.

Make sure you also clean the barrel with a pull-through several times, the last pull applying a coat of gun oil inside it with a small piece of cloth. Then wipe down the exterior metal and wooden parts with another clean cloth to remove sweaty palm and finger prints as they encourage moisture and rust.

Apply a thin layer of gun oil to the metal parts and put the rifle back in the closest with OUT the rifle bag as they hold moisture, especially if they have foam padding as most newer ones do. I usually remove the bolt from rifles as it makes them that bit safer and imo keeps the barrel dryer.

No doubt others may disagree with some of my suggestions and I'd recommend you speak to a gunsmith (not some gun salesperson) about the matter as you may have different requirements in your climate - Australia being rather dry.

Btw, I'm not sure about your guns laws where you are but downunder we require a license and the weapon has to be locked away in a secure cabinet.

Here's a link with some good info on the rifle: http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl02-e.htm

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

As a long time hunter and shooting sports fan originally from New England where the humidity is out of control, my father and I used many techniques to try and keep the rust off our firearms. The one technique that seemed to work well was a thorough cleaning with a good gun oil such as Hoppes or in a pinch WD-40. To get the rust off a metal item use a cotton cloth soaked in Hoppes it should not do any more damage to the finish I would not use the emory paper us this is a mild abrasive and will damage the finish. Do consult a gunsmith in your local area if you have any doubts. There is also a gun sock that out now that fits snuggly on the firearm and is impregnated with silicon and is resistant to humidity. I also recommend that you get a gun safe to lock the weapon up in so its safe and they have models out there that have a built in dehumidifing rod that will help preserve it. You may also want to get a dehumidifer that will help remore the moisture from the air of the room its stored in. My fathers gun collection is in a large room that has one of these in it and it helps considerably but the down side is you will have to dump the water out every day. Hope some of this information will help you. Its a very good looking rifle and should be preserved.

Dave

 

[Leadmen]

Thanks guys for the information on cleaning and storing the weapon. I will try to make the rifle more rust resistant. I did keep it in a dry closet but fleece lined cover might have caused it.I never fired it but should know how to clean it. Forty years since marine rifle inspection- I should know better.I also have a Japanese Ariska 1904 long rifle that probably needs cleaning. That stock not as good shape, it has a bullet crease by shoulder stock. John

 

[Leadmen]

How in the H#@! did anyone get a sight picture? On a hot day it be hard to hit a big barn.

Chuck: That scope sure don't impress me, I can't even find front sight ring on end of barrell and I saw no crosshairs or nothing looking through scope lens. I tried adjustments and still nothing. Looks only like a magnifying glass. Took it outside and tried sighting it without alarming neighbors.I thought I would see something. John

 

[OzDigger]

Chuck: That scope sure don't impress me, I can't even find front sight ring on end of barrell and I saw no crosshairs or nothing looking through scope lens. I tried adjustments and still nothing. Looks only like a magnifying glass. Took it outside and tried sighting it without alarming neighbors.I thought I would see something. John

I mentioned in another thread that the position of this scope rendered it useless for accurate sniper shooting. It was a basic telescope rather than a telescopic sight and was used as an aid to finding the target. The shooter would have used the iron sights to actually shoot the enemy. The telescope is possibly the early ZF41 model, Zielfernrohr being German for telescope. Perhaps the scope was also used to aim rifle grenades, we'll have to wait for some expert opinions on that I guess.

And John, the Kar 98k was more effective and accurate than the standard Allied rifles. Equiped with a proper telescopic sight mounted over the action (bolt), it was a very accurate sniper weapon. Which can be noted in the movie 'Enemy at the Gates' as it was the weapon of choice for the German sniper, Major Konig, in that movie.

 

[Leadmen]

Thanks for information OZ. I bet it is just a telescope. I saw the movie and you are right that rifle is ok but not scope. I have a magazine from years ago that described my rifle with Berlin 1942 stamp which stated it was rare. If I can find article I will post it. I know I saved it in my magazine collections. I will have a gunsmith friend check to see if weapon has a firing pin in bolt and I think a 30 caliber wire brush would clean barrel with cotton swabs. I will mess with it after my trip. John

 

[OzDigger]

Thanks for information OZ. I bet it is just a telescope. I saw the movie and you are right that rifle is ok but not scope. I have a magazine from years ago that described my rifle with Berlin 1942 stamp which stated it was rare. If I can find article I will post it. I know I saved it in my magazine collections. I will have a gunsmith friend check to see if weapon has a firing pin in bolt and I think a 30 caliber wire brush would clean barrel with cotton swabs. I will mess with it after my trip. John

You should be able to check the firing pin situation yourself. With most rifles you can extract the bolt fully by 'pulling' and holding the trigger as you withdraw the bolt - but do make sure it isn't loaded

 

[Combat]

I recently saw one of the German tank commanders say that they never wore their headphones over both ears. This allowed them to hear what was going on around them. I'm not aware of any of the KC tank commanders that have been posed in this fashion. Might be nitpicking a bit, but it would be nice to see KC and others sculpt them in that manner going forward.

 

[Chuck Harris]

I recently saw one of the German tank commanders say that they never wore their headphones over both ears. This allowed them to hear what was going on around them. I'm not aware of any of the KC tank commanders that have been posed in this fashion. Might be nitpicking a bit, but it would be nice to see KC and others sculpt them in that manner going forward.

I see you also watch the History Channel. I think it's one the on TV.

 

[Combat]

I see you also watch the History Channel. I think it's one the on TV.

Something like this:

 

[Chuck Harris]

Combat

Thats a nice picture. Do you have this Toy Soldier if so what scale?
What Brand?