Original Item: Only One Available. This is truly a wonderful and rare item to come across, the first for IMA! This “periscope” optic even has capture paperwork documented on a toe tag of all things!

This Panzer Beobachtungs Winkel Fernrohr 9 optic was captured from the Panzer Lehr Division Near Argentan, France on August 21, 1944. The information printed on the toe tag states that this boxed set was captured by Sergeant Richard D. Roe, U.S. Army Ordnance. Unfortunately we have not been able to properly research Sergeant Roe.

This device was used for general observation behind an armored plate or inside a cupola. Some observation cupolas had them installed as side optics, but the MG gunner in a cupola or behind a plate, also used them. In the military a small turret, or a sub-turret on a larger gun turret, is called a cupola. On armored fighting vehicles cupolas are often used to carry panoramic sighting devices of a tank commander, more rarely they carry a machine gun. These optics were also seen being used in the same manner, inside of bunkers and other heavily fortified positions.

This series has an optical performance of 2,5 x 19 Degrees. There are reticles inside that can be illuminated, the illumination cable is present with this set. The headrest / buffer is spring loaded and prevents inside light from escaping out. In order to see through this periscope you have to rest your head up against the “plunger” in order to open the view port, rather ingenious. The optic appears to be without damage and after testing out the sight, the lenses are clear. The box also contains replacement lenses as well as replacement bulbs for the reticle illumination. Both items feature Waffenamt marks and various other proof marks.

The main body of the periscope is marked:

Pz. B. W. F. 9
2.5 x 19°
cxn
   K. F. +
68259

The German wartime three letter code "cxn" stands for Emil Busch AG of Rathenow, a maker of lenses and optical sights, and under that the set's serial number is given. The colored symbol indicate the type of lubricant used on the optics. The chest has the designation stenciled onto the lid as well, and measures 18 1/2"W x 12"D x 10 1/2"H.

The Capture Document Is As Follows:

18896EOP
Captured War Material
German Sight, Tank, PzKwIII
Captured from the Panzer Lehr
Division near Argentan, France
21 August 44

Property of
Sgt. Richard D. Roe U.S. Army
Ord. Xxxx
CXN
Ref. 801-1

The Panzer-Lehr-Division was an elite German armored division during World War II. It was formed in 1943 onwards from training and demonstration troops (Lehr = "teach") stationed in Germany, to provide additional armored strength for the anticipated Allied invasion of western Europe. On 4 April 1944, the division was officially designated as the 130th Panzer Division, however it is usually referred to as the Lehr Division. It was the only Wehrmacht Panzer division to be fully equipped with tanks and with halftracks to transport its mechanized infantry. On several occasions it fought almost to destruction, in particular during Operation Cobra, and by the end of the war in Europe bore little resemblance to the unit that had originally been activated.

This is truly an amazing piece of captured history! Comes ready to be researched and displayed with your WWII German Armor collections!

Argentan, France
During World War I, the French 104th Infantry Regiment/14th Infantry Brigade was stationed at Argentan. It participated in the battle of Verdun in 1916.

During World War II, the city was almost totally destroyed. On 5 June 1944, on the eve of the Allied D-Day landing on the beaches of Normandy, the city suffered an important air raid in which the train station was destroyed. The city suffered further damage when it was bombed on 6 and 7 June by B-17 and B-24 bombers of the U.S. Eighth Air Force. The greatest part of the city was, however, left in ruins two and a half months later, at the end of August, during the battle of the Argentan-Falaise Pocket. The U.S. Third Army, under the command of general George S. Patton liberated Argentan after eight days of violent combat against the German 9th Panzer Division and the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich. The U.S. 80th Infantry Division liberated the city in the morning of 20 August.