APX 10x60 Gun Sight

Mfr: APX, France.  (believed to be Atelier de Construction de Puteaux)

Date: circa 1970?

AFOV: ~57 degrees

TFOV: ~5.7 degrees

Eye Relief: ~19mm

Serial Number: 389

Optics: coated

The French military have made some unusual optics and this is no exception.  It is marked APX M.267/02 OPL No.389.  The APX logo consists of a triplet lens with what appear to be crossed guns.  This 10x60 binocular device produces a  mirrored and inverted image and is believed to be some type of gun sight, possibly for a tank or battleship (the description the seller provided).  It is constructed of very heavy metal, possibly steel.  Its eyepieces are at a 90 degree angle to the objectives and it may have been used in conjunction with a mirror in front of the objectives.  Note the reticle pattern shown above which has several target circles leading to a cross hair.  The reticle is provided with illumination from two "C" size batteries and a bulb which has a spare next to it (see photo above of battery and bulb compartments opened at the base).  There do not appear to be any other electrical connections to this gun sight.  The sample shown came in a heavy duty case marked with the "267/02" model number and was possibly a spare as its condition appears to be unused.

There are several knobs and adjustments on this binocular.   A lever moves the left eyepiece in a circular mount to adjust the interpupillary distance.  A small knob on the left marked "Eclairage Reticule" adjusts the reticle illumination brightness.  Two dials on the right marked "Dérive" and "Site" move the reticle horizontally and vertically in 56 small steps, presumably to adjust the aim of the gun.   A dial marked "Verres Colorés" selects neutral density ("N") or clear ("C") filters.  There is a toggle switch on the right to turn the reticle illumination on ("M") or off ("A").