Reproduction German steel map case ruler, Schussweitenmesser 1938. This was designed to fit inside the thin ruler pocket of the standard leather map case and was used to measure the firing range of various weapons systems. It doesn't show the maximum range of each system, but rather the ideal operating range of the weapon to help you map out where to place your heavy weapons relative to the front line or target area.
Made in the USA. It is screen printed on steel, like the original with a clear coat. Each ruler is also covered on both sides with a clear protective film for transport which you can peel off. The finish is not as dull in appearance as the original ruler would have been. These fit very nicely in original map cases but I can not account for every reproduction map case that is out there. For example, the ruler was a very tight fit in my really nice repro map case, although it did still fit.
If you want a duller finish, you might either consider leaving the clear protective film on as long as it survives, or you can use a dull clear coat. I took a comparison picture of a ruler which I painted with a matte finish clear paint, one clean ruler, and one with the clear film still on it.
CAUTION - some edges may be sharp.
To anyone that is afraid of these being sold as original some day, since originals are almost non existent and expensive, I made a subtle change in the graphics. The manufacturer name is actually a combination of two of my early family names from the 1000's-1200's
