Original German WWI MG08 Machine Gun Z.F. 12 Telescopic Optical Sight by Emil Busch A.-G. in Scarce Original WWII Issue Case

Original Item: Only One Available. This a very nice service-used example of the German WWI Zielfernrohr (Remote Target Scope) 12 (Z.F.12), a 2.5X power, optical gun sight for the MG08, 7.92mm, Maxim machine gun, as used by Imperial Germany and her allies during the First World War and beyond. This example comes in its incredibly scarce original carrying case, the first we’ve ever offered! The back of the case has a paper label that likely originally had capture information.

The scope is marked on the side with the number designation, serial number, and maker information:

Z. F. 12.
No. 50941

Emil Busch A.-G.
Rathenow

The optics look great and appear to be fully functional, without any cracking in the glass. It is however missing the leather eyepiece, but the dial on the left side is present. The sight does still retain the lens cover for the objective lens, along with the ersatz canvas retaining strap!

The original carrying case is in great shape with both retention straps retained on the side, with both knobs present as well. It’s marked:

BERLIN
1935

This means it’s an inter-war case manufactured for the scopes which were still used on the guns at this time. The lid contains two spots for spare lenses. Both spare lenses are gone and the small covers are breaking, with one snap already off. There is some material on the interior which has fallen off, and some of the stitching on the lid is broken off.

A great scope in its case, ready for further research and display.