U-Boot-Hilfs-Zielfernrohr from a 8.8 cm Kanone L/30 by Carl Zeiss

[gerrit]

This is a super rare scope used on a German U-boat during WW1 used on the 8.8 deckcanon Long 30 calibers.
8.8cm Ubts K.L/30 means 8.8cm Uboats canon 30 calibers long.
Ehrhardt was the inventor of the braking system of the canon, patented by him for the Rheinmetall canons.
The 30 cal long 8.8cm Canon was replaced at the end of 1917 by its larger brother, the L/45
In the beginning of WW1 ( 1914-1916) The German u-boats used to go to surface and shoot at the enemy merchandise Ships with their 8.8cm Canons, and sink them without using their expensive torpedo's.
This is the first German U-Boot-Zielfernrohr by carl Zeiss ive ever seen anywhere in the world of a 8.8 cm K.L/30 of WW1.
Having contacted Dr.Hans Seeger ( the binoculars and leading Zeiss specialist of the world) about this scope he came up with following:
The letters UHZ could mean U-Boot-Hilfs-Zielfernrohr, this is an auxilliary aiming scope. 1 x means= No magnification , this is confirmed by your picture.
Hilfs-Zielfernrohr would say: Can be used as a replacement if the main scope fails.

All surviving U boat where delivered to England and France after the war, most of them where distroyed.
France took 12 of them back to service and used them a couple of years.
Enjoy this Kriegmarine Scope of WW1
Cheers Ger

[Ryan B]

This is amazing! Beautiful find!
Ryan

[Tango]

Ger top dollar bit of kit there...I think is a very interesting piece & the photos are amazing too..I wouldn't mind having that in my collection..You have also done your homework which is nice too...So thanks for showing..catch up next Friday.. Cheers Terry.

[Little Mermaid]

Very great, interesting and unusual item! I´m jealous!

Though, the Kriegsmarine was the name of the German navy from 1935 to 1945, not during WW1. It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of WW1.

[85ronnies]

Yet another great find Ger and very interesting,
thanks for showing Ronnie

[edelweiss123]

Such a fantastic item!

[gerrit]

Very great, interesting and unusual item! I´m jealous!

Though, the Kriegsmarine was the name of the German navy from 1935 to 1945, not during WW1. It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of WW1.

Of course your right, indeed i should have mentioned the Kaiserliche Marine
It matches great with my Kaiserlicher Marine sabel by W.K. & C with ivory grip

[Totenhead]

Sorry for my ignorance, but how was this fixed to the 88mm deck gun? Is it quick release??? I always thought they used open sights ?

[big ned]

Is it possible to put something next to it for an idea of scale Ger?

Regards, Ned.

[gerrit]

Funny thing is that this scope was listed as a Hitlerjugend training scope in the US
The small size fooled the seller, and he translated the U.H.Z marking wrong:
he thought it meant: Ubungs Hitlerjugend Zielfernrohr

The Ubts and the 8.8cm K.L/30 inscription made me think different


@Ned its only 17 cm long and weights 415 gramms, its a very solid bronze made instrument.
I has a rifle sight on top for a quick fix on the target

@Totenhead i dont know how it was placed, there are no picture that show one in all details.
I'll show you a picture where you can see what i think is the front of the scope sticking outside the armourplate ( on the right).
the other picture shows the rear of the gun with the mount of the scope in upper position, so unfortunate the scope cant been seen in this position.