1917 Carl Zeiss Deisnstglas DF 8x24 WWI German army binoculars |
My Carl Zeiss Deinstglas DF 8x24 binoculars are WWI German military binoculars “ D.F ” is “Doppel Fernrohrglas”, or Double Telescope. As the war progressed and model 08 non prismatic binoculars were issued to non commissioned officers, binoculars such as these were usually issued to infantry officers. Per Hans Seeger, F.L.S. 65 is an acceptance mark of Fuerwerkslaboratorium Spandau, who took over responsibility for military acceptance of D.F. pattern optical devices in 1908. |
Japanese External Reverse Porro Prism Binoculars. WEBSITE MUSEUM |
OTHER BINOCULARS #11 & OPTICAL SIGHTS (MOSTLY MILITARY) |
1924 Laboratorio di Precisione KL Italian Army 8x26 binoculars |
I.K.K. WWII Imperial Japanese Army 6 x 9.3 binoculars |
My Italian 8x26 serial number #305 1924 dated military binoculars were part of a small production run for the Italian Army by the Laboratorio di Precisione in Rome, a factory that produced Italian military equipment from sometime before 1906, until it was largely destroyed by 1943 Allied bombing. The 100 ° L.D. marking is 100 Lastrina Diastimotrica, which I believe is a measure of angle of view. |
E.K. WWII Imperial Japanese army 6 x 9.3 binoculars |
My WWII era I.K.K. made IJA/ Imperial Japanese Army 6 x 9.3 binoculars are typical of an approved pattern., and have a right ocular graticule/ ranging grid Though WWII I.K.K. binoculars in various powers are not uncommon, I have not yet identified I.K.K. (help welcome). The canvas case is typical late war pattern and is marked, as are the straps of case and binoculars (translation help please... miniature.binoculars@gmail.com). |
My WWII era E.K. made IJA/ Imperial Japanese Army 6 x 9.3 binoculars are typical of an approved pattern, and have a right ocular graticule/ ranging grid. These type binoculars are normally thought of as infantry & mobile artillery officers equipment. E.K. is Enomoto Kogaku Seiki K.K., a Japanese optics assembling manufacturer who produced a quantity of WWII Japanese military and ordinance optics, and who underwent a takeover merger with Fuji Photo Optical Co. in 1944 (and who contributed the Meibo name that Fuji subsequently used on some of their binoculars). |
From my pre WWI Laboratorio di Precisione trade card |
J.E.S. mark is Japan Engineering Standards # 13554 |
L di P logo |
J.E.S. mark is Japan Engineering Standards # 13554 |
WWII 1941/1942 German Army 6x30 / DYM Runge und Kaulfu ß Fabrik f ü r Optik Dienstglas military binoculars |
My WWII DYM coded 6x30 German military binoculars were made by Runge and Kaufus in Rathenow in 1942 or 1943 and have a H6400 strichplatte or right side graticule/ ranging grid. |
These binoculars carry the “O” cold weather grease code. Runge and Kaulfus made less binoculars than many other makers, so their WWII “DYM’ and “DM” marked binoculars are now encountered infrequently. |
1971 NS Polish Army IR Infrared Vision military binoculars |
The evolution of optical night vision commenced with using large light gathering objectives, then light transmitting efficiency lens coatings, then electronics age infra red spotlights and active optical detection, and then electronic light intensifiers, and then thermal imaging. All are still used in various combinations or in various applications. (IR is used more for CCTV night vision illumination these days in IR led form, and I use it a lot in that application). |
My 1971 Polish night vision set combines a hand held IR spotlight with active electronic IR binoculars, and battery box. The same components were more widely used as the Polish Army NS-71IR goggle system that mounted to a helmet. |
Nedinsco Finnish Army M55 SA Suomi Armeija Weapons Sight |
My Nedinsco made M55 weapons sight was made for the Finnish 55 S (55mm Sinko Vuodelta) Raikka Oy recoilless rifle system, nicknamed Nyrkka), and is SA / Suomi Armeija/ Finnish Army property marked. This weapons system was developed in the early 1950’s to replace the previously used German Panzerschrek and Panzerfaust anti tank/ bunker man pack weapons, and six were assigned to each motorized infantry battalion. It was phased out in the 1980’s by the M72 LAW and Apilas. With a radically arched trajectory an optical weapons sight was critical to hit probability. |
WWII Srb & Stys Fabrik Praiser Messinstrumente Dienstglas bmk 6x30 German Military binoculars |
My WWII 6x30 German dienstglas military binoculars carry the WWII bmk German wartime code of Srb & Sys Fabrik Praiser Messinstrumente of Prague zechoslovaka, and have a right ocular reticule/ ranging grid. The + marking indicates 1442 cold weather optical grease, and the blue triangle indicates use to -40 ° C (-40 ° F). In the winter due to cold fogging the camera lens; more frequent bad weather, and shorter hours of sunlight, I tend take more photos inside, which then attracts kitty assistance. |
FOR GERMAN WWII BINOCULAR and OPTICAL MANUFACTURER CODES |
1946 Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant ( Красногорский механический завод, Krasnogorskiy Mechanicheskiy Zavod, KMZ) Russian 6x30 Military binoculars |
At the end of WWII most binoculars manufacturers (including those in Russia, the UK, Canada and elsewhere that were essentially government operated) usually assembled the binoculars they could from the piles of wartime parts on hand. I think this is probably the case with my 1946 Russian Krasnogorsk state plant binoculars, which have a leather ocular cover, and do not have a graticule/ ranging grid. The Krasnogorsk factory was created in 1942 near Moscow, and still is in operation, and was known for manufacturing Zenit camera products. The “tomb” logo was used by KMZ during the years 1942-1949. |
CMC Paris French Made 8x26 binoculars UK MOD British Military issued marked binoculars |