Thanks for that info Matt.
Later 42rocker
Where is the MGZ40 illumination battery box suppose to be?
Re: Where is the MGZ40 illumination battery box suppose to b
The battery box takes 3 (connected in a serie) of the flat 4,5 volt batteries, same as used in the flat German flashlights. All German WW2 optics had some kind of illumination set up. The set you have shown Richard is the complete set up for a SF14z (Rabbit Ear scope). There is a special leather pouch for it, when issued to horse mounted troops. Otherwise it was stored in the wooden box together with the scope.
There were special thingamagigs for most of the optics and usage areas.
-The artillery guns had a metal box containing the standard battery box and cable, plus a headlamp with a battery box for the layer to see his scales.
-The stereoscopic distance measurer (EM 1m 36) used the standard battery box, 2 standard light cables and a reostat connector that could dim the light.
-The 10X80 binocular on a tripod with 80 degrees angle to the objectives for AA spotting was set up with a standard battery box and a cable that splits into 3 light bulb holders.
The MGz and MGz40 takes one standard light cable. To check his scales the gunner would have to use a torchlight. Dangerous???? Nope.
Take the reality check and think what the scope does!
![[diz]](./images/smilies/Dizzy.gif "dizzy")
Still thinking?
Well, set the main scale to "0" and the micrometer scale to "00". The elevation scale doesn't really play a part, but if you shoot flat it should be set at "300".
Provided that you have zeroed your Lafette and scope to match each other you will now shoot in the direction the scope is pointing. (Yes, I didn't mention the gun. Take a look at my "Lafette paint" article!)
So why use the light cable?
Well, during dusk and down you might find it valuable to light up the reticle (the sighting ^ ) to align your sight on your enemy. You will have no use for the scales, as they should be "frozen" to allow you to shoot straight.
When do you have use for the scales? When you are set up to shoot indirectly (like artillery does!).
IF you need to shoot indirectly you will set your scope to look at a set of aiming posts or, if shooting at night at a light source. You will need the light cable to light up the reticle, and you will need to watch your scales.
Dangerous? Weeeell, you are shooting indirectly at an enemy you can't see. It's a fair chance he can't see you, so......
Due to this, finding a picture of a scope with the cable attach will probably be hard. I only found my first ever picture of a MGz with the periscope attched today!!
I am also of the impression that indirect fire by machineguns went somewhat out of fashion after the early war years, although the scopes were fully set up for it until the end.
There were special thingamagigs for most of the optics and usage areas.
-The artillery guns had a metal box containing the standard battery box and cable, plus a headlamp with a battery box for the layer to see his scales.
-The stereoscopic distance measurer (EM 1m 36) used the standard battery box, 2 standard light cables and a reostat connector that could dim the light.
-The 10X80 binocular on a tripod with 80 degrees angle to the objectives for AA spotting was set up with a standard battery box and a cable that splits into 3 light bulb holders.
The MGz and MGz40 takes one standard light cable. To check his scales the gunner would have to use a torchlight. Dangerous???? Nope.
Take the reality check and think what the scope does!
Still thinking?
Well, set the main scale to "0" and the micrometer scale to "00". The elevation scale doesn't really play a part, but if you shoot flat it should be set at "300".
Provided that you have zeroed your Lafette and scope to match each other you will now shoot in the direction the scope is pointing. (Yes, I didn't mention the gun. Take a look at my "Lafette paint" article!)
So why use the light cable?
Well, during dusk and down you might find it valuable to light up the reticle (the sighting ^ ) to align your sight on your enemy. You will have no use for the scales, as they should be "frozen" to allow you to shoot straight.
When do you have use for the scales? When you are set up to shoot indirectly (like artillery does!).
IF you need to shoot indirectly you will set your scope to look at a set of aiming posts or, if shooting at night at a light source. You will need the light cable to light up the reticle, and you will need to watch your scales.
Dangerous? Weeeell, you are shooting indirectly at an enemy you can't see. It's a fair chance he can't see you, so......
Due to this, finding a picture of a scope with the cable attach will probably be hard. I only found my first ever picture of a MGz with the periscope attched today!!
I am also of the impression that indirect fire by machineguns went somewhat out of fashion after the early war years, although the scopes were fully set up for it until the end.
Re: Where is the MGZ40 illumination battery box suppose to b
i just saw a color ww2 photo the other day of a mg34 with periscope attached. gonna have to find it again now - matt
Re: Where is the MGZ40 illumination battery box suppose to b
Yes, you found the very same picture I was refering to (Mind you, that is the only one I have seen of the periscope in use, apart from the illustrations in the manual). Fair chance there is a picture out there of a MGz with the light cord attached as well!
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42rocker
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Re: Where is the MGZ40 illumination battery box suppose to b
Question, the pic looks so bright and new...Is that WW2 and if so where. If WW2 I would guess Africa, but??
Later 42rocker
Later 42rocker
Re: Where is the MGZ40 illumination battery box suppose to b
The original caption read "AK SMG", but from the vegetation it might as well have been in Italy. The periscope appears to have entered the stage 1943'ish, so it can't have been many of them in the AK. I agree that the colors are very good. Reenactors...? Don't know, but I have seen original color photos just as good, and there are certain aspects about the picture set-up that doesn't rhyme with a reenactor-staged photo.