Germany's WW1 Zeiss Bifocal Scope: the Glasvisier 16

Published on November 24, 2018
Duration: 9:14

The Zeiss Glasvisier 16 is a rare 2.5x bifocal sniper optic from WWI, designed as a clip-on system for standard rifles like the Mauser 98. Its unique design features a magnified lower lens and a non-magnified upper lens, allowing for a 'no eye relief' setup. The optic utilizes a quick-detach mount and an oversized clip-on front sight, but its rarity suggests it was less successful than standard telescopic sights.

Quick Summary

The Zeiss Glasvisier 16 is a rare 2.5x bifocal sniper optic from WWI, designed by Carl Zeiss Jena as a clip-on system for German rifles. Its unique bifocal lens allows for a 'no eye relief' setup, and it features a quick-detach mount for rapid field attachment.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Zeiss Glasvisier 16
  2. 00:38WWI German Sniping Program Context
  3. 01:41Quick-Detach Mounting Mechanism
  4. 02:22Unique Bifocal Lens Design
  5. 03:25Clip-on Front Sight & Sight Picture
  6. 04:34Markings and Serial Numbers
  7. 05:32Manufacturing Tolerances & 'GLV' Markings
  8. 07:06Rarity and Historical Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Zeiss Glasvisier 16?

The Zeiss Glasvisier 16 is a rare 2.5 power bifocal sniper optic from World War I, developed by Carl Zeiss Jena for German rifles. It was designed as a clip-on system rather than a permanent scope mount.

How does the bifocal design of the Glasvisier 16 work?

The Glasvisier 16 features a bifocal lens system with a 2.5x magnifying lens at the bottom and a non-magnified lens at the top. This allows the shooter to magnify both the front sight and the target simultaneously with a 'no eye relief' setup.

What is unique about the mounting system of the Glasvisier 16?

It uses a quick-detach mounting mechanism with two spring-mounted plates. These plates snap into specific recesses on the sides of a Mauser rifle's rear sight block, allowing for rapid attachment and removal in the field.

Why is the Zeiss Glasvisier 16 considered rare?

The Glasvisier 16 is extremely rare today, especially when found with its original clip-on front sight. Its scarcity suggests that it was likely less successful or produced in smaller numbers compared to standard telescopic sights of the era.

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