Zeiss inner rail,[1] generally simply referred to as Zeiss rail, is a ringless scope sight mounting system introduced by Zeiss in 1990 as an alternative to traditional ring mounts.[2] A patent was granted in 1992, and the patent expired in 2008.[3][1] The mounting system is now also offered on sights sold by other major manufacturers, such as Blaser,[4] Leica, Minox, Meopta, Nikon,[5] Noblex (formerly Docter[6]), Schmidt & Bender[7] and Steiner.[8] The system has so far seen most use on the European high-end market.[9]
- ^ a b ZEISS Hunting Catalogue 2018 "ZEISS revolutionised riflescope mounting? The introduction of the ZEISS inner rail in 1990 meant that gunsmiths no longer needed to perform the laborious tasks of gluing and drilling the mounting components to attach them to the riflescope. Since the patent expired in 2008, the ZEISS inner rail is now offered by almost all prominent European manufacturers."
- ^ 100 Years of Carl Zeiss riflescopes 1904 – 2004 Milestones and Pioneering Achievements, page 2
- ^ German patent No. 38 20 471 granted 19 March 1992
- ^ Blaser Infinity 2.8-20x50 IC vs Swarovski Z8i 2-16x50 - Rifles Scopes Expert Every Blaser [scope] comes with a Zeiss ZM/VM mounting rail [...]
- ^ Nikon Sport Optics & Hunting Catalogue 2017 "Rail mount models (Zeiss Inner Rail Standard) are available (1-4x24 IL ZR and 2.5-10x50SF IL ZR"
- ^ Docter to Noblex - Optics info
- ^ Schmidt & Bender – Main catalog 2016
- ^ Nighthunter Xtreme Riflescope Instruction Manual "Rail models work with standard rail bases for “Z” or Zeiss rails."
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
optics-infowas invoked but never defined (see the help page).