Forgotten Weapons does the MkI (t)...

[Mk VII]

Researchers may care to note that while the present emergency is on, documents that have been digitised can be downloaded from the Public Records Office for free, without the normal charges.

[Surpmil]

Researchers may care to note that while the present emergency is on, documents that have been digitised can be downloaded from the Public Records Office for free, without the normal charges.

And here's the fine print.

[Promo]

What did the "G.Z." represent in this case Promo?

As for the design of the PE, I was thinking of the adjustments, not the optics, as I've referred to that connection here before. https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....l=1#post468270

We can't see much, but the mounts bear some possible resemblance to those supplied to the Soviets in the early 30s and mounted on Ross MkIIIs and Mosin-Nagants.

1. I have no clue what G.Z. 4x resembles, but does it really matter? These scopes exist without any doubt. They are made within the same serial blocks as the Zielvier/Zielsechs/Zielacht scopes, so the G.Z. 4x was just a special variant of these scope models.

2. Please take a look at the Emil Busch Rathenow Visar scopes. For Russia they designed a particular model which also features lateral adjustment and is very close to the design of the first PE scopes. Therefore without a doubt they originate from the Emil Busch design and not the Zeiss design. Edit: check this here if you want to compare yourself: Evolution of the Soviet Sniper Scope - Page 2

3. The mount you have shown in your pictures is the Walther D3 mount. It is different from the D2 mount by walther in the location of the locking levers. These were trialed with Zielvier scopes whereas the G.Z. 4x scopes both in Russia and in Finland were used on a scope mount which the later PE(M) side mount was based upon.

4. The pictures of the particular rifle are very poor and one would need to see the other side to tell something on this mount. However, if we read the description it becomes more clear. They speak of "see-through" mounts. Given the design the see-through can only refer to the rear scope base which is placed on the receiver bridge. The front base is out of center attached to the receiver wall. I would therefore assume it most possibly is derivated on the Mauser Square Bridge mount, with the front base being offset and moved to the rear. But this might be very wrong since the rings are close to each other and it is tough to imagine how the scope can be lifted upwards without interfering either with the bolt or the receiver at the front.

[Surpmil]

1. Just wondered if you knew why the acronym "GZ" was used in this case, as I can't think of any meaning for it except the original.
2. I don't really follow Soviet kit, nor frequent gunboards, but that's interesting that a Busch with turrets like the PE has turned up. The focus mechanism looks more like the later version I linked to, but interesting to see that this area of cooperation goes well back into the Weimer period; presumably the Soviets were alerted to sniping through their cooperation with the Reichswehr in the 20s. They certainly took the knowledge and "ran with it" as the saying goes.
3. Not my field of interest really; just noting the superficial similarity. There is a very grainy photo around of a Zielvier on a Ross MkIII apparently using the side rail.
4. I suspect the see-through aspect is just the clearance created by the side mounts under the scope tube; the block dovetailed into the charger bridge would obstruct the view to the barrel sights otherwise, not to mention the peep sight on the bolt. (which must be raised before use in some way I assume)