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Hensoldt Will Hit US Shores
Wednesday, 07 January 2009

Significant news broke this afternoon concerning German optics - specifically, their availability to the US consumer.

It's no secret that the Germans are the leader in optical technology, and Carl Zeiss sits atop the pack in terms of hard-won respect and spot-on engineering.

TacticalGunFans have long had access to Zeiss optics through the company's North American Carl Zeiss Sports Optics division. But the Holy Grail of the company's tactical suite, its Hensoldt line, has been held back from US shores.

Why? The reasons are long and involved, but the news today is that finally, Hensoldt optics will be imported and sold in the US. The news is set to shake up the tactical optics market from top to bottom.

A History Lesson

Carl Zeiss Optronics dates back to its founding by Carl Zeiss on Nov. 17, 1846.

Hensoldt, on the other hand, was founded in 1852 by Moritz Carl Hensoldt, and at the time was a significant competitor to Zeiss. Prior to World War I, Hensoldt expanded its military optics effort, but after the war was forbidden under treaty from producing arms. It thus merged with the Zeiss Gruppe in 1928.

However, unlike other Zeiss acquisitions, Hensoldt continued its own production, retained its own name, and during World War II resumed military optics manufacturing.

In 1964 Zeiss and Hensoldt merged manufacturing efforts and today, Hensoldt not only produces sporting optics for Zeiss, but it also manufactures highly specialized military wares that include nightvision devices, as well as sighting systems for tanks, guided missiles and small arms.

Availability

The news that Hensoldt will be available to US consumers comes courtesy of HDC, which was chosen by Zeiss to be the sole US distribution partner for its Hensoldt line.

A press release announcing the news noted that HDC was chosen "for its professionalism and commitment to offer quality products supported by excellent technical knowledge and experience. These attributes perfectly suited the requirements to be a distribution partner with Carl Zeiss Optronics."

HDC president Nathan Hunt is a disabled military and special operations combat veteran who's deep in the industry, where he's served in end‐user, retail and wholesale capacities. HDC's service and technical support are widely recognized as excellent.

About the Hensoldt distribution agreement, Hunt noted: "This is a superb opportunity for us at HDC as a company. Distribution status with Carl Zeiss Optronics enables us to enhance our capabilities of supplying our customers with the most exciting products from the market and technology leader. This product line brings with it quality and performance previously not known to the US Market."