BACKGROUND: The German army went to great lengths to ensure its personnel were provided with the best in-depth training that was available at the time. The training took many forms and in an attempt to replicate the most realistic combat conditions possible the German army used live fire training exercises and found a one percent training fatality rate as acceptable, reasoning it was better to remove inadequate personnel in training as opposed to having them risk other lives in actual battle. Besides the live field training and exercises the Germans also utilized firing ranges to train soldiers in marksmanship. The marksmanship instructors utilized assorted training assistance devices which included assorted models of mirrored, rifle aiming control devices. The mirrored rifle aiming devices would be fitted to the training rifle in front of the receiver and behind the rear sight and enabled the instructor to view the riflemen’s visual line of sight and the target point to advise on any corrective aiming measures.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The isosceles triangle shaped, black painted, tooled sheet metal and grey tinted glass construction rifle aiming control device is roughly, 1" tall, and 2 1/4" long, at the solid base edge and the two, roughly 1 1/2" long, shorter sides are in tinted glass. The bottom edge of the device has a vertically downward extended panel to each side to fit over the rifle barrel. One of the vertically downward extended panels has a small, crimped, metal hook which secures an extended spring with a closed metal loop to the opposite end. The other vertically downward extended panel has small a raised hook designed to accept the closed loop on the spring to secure the device to the rifle. The long side of the device is well marked with the impressed manufacturer’s name and location, "K. Denner B-Baden", and the top edge has the impressed initials, "D.R.G.M.", indicating, Deutsche Reichs Gebrauchs Muster, (German National Registered Design). The device retains over 95% of its original black paint and both of the glass panels are intact. The device comes housed in its original, roughly, 2 1/4" x 1 1/2" x 1 3/4", two piece, cardboard case with a removable friction fit top lid, a simulated, grained, black leather, paper covering and a white paper label with black printed Gothic script. The script to the label includes, "Ziel=Kontrollapparat mit Augenkontrolle für Groß= und Kleinkaliber=Gewehre", (Target control apparatus with eye inspection for large and small caliber rifles), the manufacturer’s trade name, "Denaria", and {Gesetzl. Geschützt}", (Protected by Law). Additional script includes, "Dieser Apparat kann ohne Umstecken eines Glases von der rechten und linken Seite des zielenden Schützen benutzt werden", (This apparatus can be used on the right or left side of the aiming riflemen without changing the glass.), and, "Bestell Nr. 1 Preis Rm. 2,50 Wer meine Ziel-Kontrollapparat verwendet, spart Munition", (Order Number 1 Price 2,50 Reichsmarks Whoever uses our Target control apparatus, saves ammunition. The case is in overall very good condition with minimal age toning. Scarce marksmanship training accessory.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $238.00