The Armson OEG is an occluded optic featuring tritium illumination and a fiber-optic light collecting rod. Intended to be used with both eyes open, these products were created in 1981 in South Africa.
These were eventually sold in the US, and actually led to the creation of Trijicon as we know it today.
The OEG is generally known as an evolution of the SinglePoint sights made by Normark.
These optics were made in many versions – carry handle mounting, HK receiver mounting, FAL dust cover mounted, bare tube, and even oddball fittings such as the gas tube of the R5 assault rifle and MAC.
Heck, mount it to an ACOG.
(NAVSEA SOPMOD / CRANE fabricated prototype, circa 2000)
If you really want to get exotic, try to snag a “Firefly T-1“, the USSR knockoff.
The OEG sights saw use in Panama and Nicaragua, as well as Compton.
Per 1988 sales pamphlet, these models were available.
| Model | Description | Price (1988) |
|---|---|---|
| .22 DOS | Daylight Only Sight with 3/8″ .22 dovetail mount | $82.95 |
| .22 D/N | Day-Night with 3/8″ .22 dovetail mount | $113.90 |
| Standard | Fits 1-inch ring mounts | $151.90 |
| AR-15 | Fastens to Colt AR-15 or M-16 with one nut | $179.90 |
| Mini-14 | Ruger Mini-14, AC 556 181, 191 series and later | $179.90 |
| Beretta | A-301, A-302 12 gauge shotgun | $192.00 |
| Browning | Auto-5 12 gauge shotgun | $192.00 |
| Mossberg | Model 500 and 600 12 gauge shotgun | $192.00 |
| Remington | Models 1100 and 870 12 gauge | $192.00 |
| Handgun | Includes Bushnell Phantom mount (S&W, Colt, & Ruger) | $192.00 |
| Galil | New model clamps onto the gas tube | $214.00 |
| AUG | Fits AUG’s with Stanag mount type receivers only | $192.00 |
| H&K | Socket head cap screw claw mounts in one minute | $212.00 |
| Uzi | Claw mounts to bolt cover, cover is still removable | $212.00 |
| Mini-Uzi | Claw also, open bolt only (does not fit Uzi pistol) | $212.00 |
| FN | With dust cover, only fits fixed stock models | $224.00 |
| FNC | Snaps into notches on rifle – quick removable | $224.00 |
| GL | With mount and ranging system for M79 or M203 Grenade Launcher | $293.00 |
These were made both for Firearms as well as paintball purposes, the latter sometimes being colored red or blue. Armson also made paintball barrels and grips, at one point in time.
More currently, Armson (thankfully still in business!) sells the OEG ‘Max Duty’ line as well as other modern variations, incorporating shielding for the nose, and the option of a green reticle.
According to primary sources, the reason for the cloudy appearance of some nose covers is:
“There was on minor design change (on a limited number of exactly 2,000 sights) early on between 1978 (founding), and 1982/3, at which time there was a major revision in the design for ease of manufacture. Molding technology at that time was not 100% dialed in as far as clear acrylic material, and for a fairly long period of time the molds were given a slightly textured finish. This does not actually affect the quality of the dot to virtually any degree (which goes against common sense thought, but is true…)”
If you wish to convert your dome to a clearer one, it can be sent back to Armson for service, and they will also perform tritium replacement.
A dimensionally accurate CAD file of the optic is available below.
My render as example.
Today these optics can be purchased new from Armson, or used on eBay, where I have seen prices fluctuate wildly between $150-500.
If you wish to get one of the stickers with the radioactivity warning, those used to be sold on eBay, but no longer.
All in all, the Armson OEG is nothing if not cool.
Leave a Reply