Return to Index


Hensoldt Zielfernrohr 4x (1959)
7.62x51 - 4x - West Germany - G3






The Hensoldt Zielfernrohr 4x scope appears in early HK material regarding the G3 rifle in the early 1960s. It appears to have been a new scope design built specifically for the G3 rifle with its own claw mount. While multiple examples of the early claw mount are known to exist, it is unclear how many Zielfernrohr 4x scopes were made but the number is probably in the single or double digit range.


The scope appears in the 1961 G3 manual, but by 1966 appears to have already been replaced by the ZF G3 as the intended scope for the G3 rifle. Existing examples of early claw mounts are often found today with a Hensoldt DIAPI-D scope mounted in place of the Zielfernrohr 4x. It is possible the DIAPI-D scopes were fitted to the mounts either after the Zielfernrohr 4x scope was cancelled or to test out the claw mounts untill serial production of the Zielfernrohr 4x scope could start.











Images



Hensoldt factory diagram dated October 9, 1959 (Stevens, 2006).




As seen in March 15, 1961 HK brochure title Verläufige Beschreibung des Zielfernrohrhalters und Anleitung für das Aufsetzen und Abnehmen des Zielfernrohrs beim Gewehr G3 (Description of Scope Mount and Instructions for Installation and Removal on the G3 Rifle) (Stevens, 2006).




As seen in the 1961 HK G3 english manual.




Another 1961 dated diagram.




These photos from a March 15, 1961 HK publication show the claw mounts evolution from the strap based design used by the Hensoldt 4x to the STANAG pattern used by the ZF G3.




As seen in the 1966 HK G3 german manual. The manual shows both the 1959 Zielfernrohr 4x and the ZF G3 scope with its STANAG pattern claw mount. By this time the Zielfernrohr 4x scope was probably already cancelled and only pictured in the manual untill an updated disassembly diagram with the new ZF G3 scope could be made.




Reticle.



References

Stevens, R Blake. (2006). Full Circle: A Treatise on Roller Locking. Collector Grade Publications Incorporated.




Return to Index

© ShootingGlass.com
Page last updated: