One of the first rifle scopes produced by Carl Zeiss, Jena, production started in either 1904 or 1905 and probably ended shortly after WWI started in 1915 (Stroebel, 2000). The scopes are marked GZ, possibly short for Gewehr Zeilfernrohr, with roman numerals indiciting the model number (I through IV). The Carl Zeiss 1912 english catalog refers to scopes designed to mount to a break action rifle as the Telekipp and those inteded to mount to a bolt action rifle as the Teleweit. The scopes are also sometimes referred to as a Zeiss Prismatic scope.

Images










On a model 1905 .280 Ross rifle belonging to Lt Leysters L. Greener, credited with 54 kills, before his death while on patrol (Pegler, 2004).



Although hard to see, the above photos appear to show a SMLE with a Telewit at a commonwealth sniper school during WWI.



As seen in the Carl Zeiss's 1912 London catalog.



English prewar add, unsure if this was printed in the United Kingdom, the United States, or both.



Mounted on Springfield M1903 by Frankford Arsenal during scope tests (Senich, 1988).



Reticle from scope 550.



Serial Numbers

Serial	Marked	Images	Notes
324	GZ	1	Markings are hand engraved in cursive.
550	GZ	1	Markings are hand engraved in cursive. May be misread markings.
1217		1	Mount is marked T BLAND & SONS, LONDON, RIFLE No 4815.
1769	G.Z.III	1
1876	GSH (H is probably III)	1	Photo is too small to make out markings, markings is based on owners description.
1963	G.Z.III	1	Mount is marked T BLAND & SONS, LONDON.
2058	G.Z.III	1
2500	G.Z.III	1
2711	G.Z.III	1

References

Stroebel, N. (2000). Old Rifle Scopes. Krause Publications.

Pegler, M. (2004). Out of Nowhere : A History of the Military Sniper. Osprey.

Senich, P. (1988). The Complete Book of US Sniping. Paladin Press.

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