APX 1916/1917/1921

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APX 1916/1917/1921
8×50mmR - France - Lebel

The APX mle 1916 was initially designed as a 2.5x telescopic sight for use on the 37mm TRP mle 1916 infantry gun. With the outbreak of WWI and the French military's realization that it would need to develope its own scoped rifle for use by snipers the APX 1916 was modified for use with sniper rifles (Pegler, 2022).

The resulting 3x scope made from drawn brass tubing weighed 1.5lbs and measured 9.5in. Elevation was controlled by a top mounted dial marked out to 800m and windage was set by a small grub-screw mounted at the front of the body. Focus was controlled by a ring forward of the ocular lens. The reticle was a fine crosshairs (Pegler, 2022).

The scope would be supplied to Italy where it would be mounted on Carcano rifles (Pegler, 2022). After WWI the scope would be updated along with its mount to the APX 1921. The APX 1921 can be easily identified due to its unique elevation turret and shorter scope body.

The naming and marking conventions are unclear, most references refer to the APX 1916, APX 1917, and APX 1921, yet scopes can be seen marked APX 1915, APX 1916, APX 1917, APX 1918, and APX 1921. Internet posts regarding scopes marked APX 1934 also exist. To add to the confusion scopes from the 37mm mle 1916 are also marked APX 1917 (and possibly other years also). Scopes with no serial number have also been observed. With the exception of the APX 1921, the differences between the other scope models is unclear. It may possibly be connected to the mount used or the year of production.

Images

The 37mm mle 1916 scope from which the APX 1916 was developed. Note the larger controls that would be replaced by a turret and screw when turned into a rifle scope.

The scope for the 37mm mle 1916 infantry gun.

1916 marked scope (65522) in what is usually refered to as APX 1916 mount.

1916 marked scope (72736) in what is usually refered to as APX 1917 mount.

Elevation dial of the same scope marked out to 800m.

A damaged APX 1921 (no photo of markings). Note the new elevation turret design.

On Lebel rifle with French forces.

On Carcano rifle with Italian soldier.

Diagram from Grenadiers-Bombardier School of Instructors of the 9th Region (Les Machines de Tranchée-Instruction Technique-Tactical Instruction) Angers, 15 January 1917.

Excerpt from the 1933 edition of Instruction on Armaments and Shooting Materials (Instruction sur l'armement et le matériel de tir) regarding the APX 1921 scope.

Reticle from a 1918 marked scope.

VIDEOS

Video by Forgotten Weapons

Video by Le Feu aux Poudres

Serial Numbers

Scopes and mounts were supposedly serialized to match their host weapon. Existing scopes often have matching mounts but are mounted on non matching rifles.

Serial	Model	Images	Notes
173	1915	1	Possibly an artillery scope.
57335	1916	1	Sunshade is reproduction.
57967	1916	1
58024	1916	1	Missing mount.
58174	1916	1	Marked mle 1886 in addition to year and serial.
65522	1916	1	Marked mle 1886 in addition to year and serial.
66173	1916	1	Rifle and scope mount marked 59551.
67602	1916	1	Seen in forgotten weapons video on rifle 15309.
68364	1916	1	Photos published by SniperCollection.com.
69432	1916	1
72736	1916	1
75509	1916	1	Rifle bolt is 55127.
5980	1917	1
38491	1917	1
46208	1917	1
51453	1917	1	Includes matching carry case.
55103	1917	1
73073	1917	1
92097	1917	1	Mounted on a hunting rifle.
1392	1918	1
		1	No markings, for sale by an Italian dealer. Possibly scopes supplied to Italy had no markings?

References

Pegler, M. (2022). Sniping rifles in World War I. Bloomsbury Publishing.