Some Kriegsmarine naval binoculars.

Some jpegs of some Kriegsmarine naval binoculars I have.











The set above are an 8x60 U-bootglas made by Zeiss (blc) , there is another similar binocular made by Emil Busch (CXN) which is extremely rare.
The binocular weights almost 6lbs , is completley waterproof and is made from a cast allum. alloy , the prism housings plates are sealed to the body by rubber gaskets and five seperate screw heads, these are sealed with a rubber compound.
The set has two desicating cells located on the bottom of the barrels - these provide a nicely balanced position to place your thumbs on when using the set.

The eye cups flip open to allow the occular lens to be cleaned - the occulars are huge which means the set simply drinks in the light and the field of view is exceptional for a set of hand held , the objectives are coated 60mm lens.
Heavy to hold they are really designed for just a quick look at the horizon , they were only issued to U-boat Commanders.
The green painted finish is characteristic of the type , this came in a smooth or a rough finish.
If you have these around your neck for half an hour or so you soon know about it.
They are adjusted / focused by the use of a screwdriver like tool , the adjusting screws can be seen beside the occular tower.

The set produces 160 m at 100m and has a field of view of 9.1 degrees, which is pretty huge in terms of hand hel,d binoculars.
This set is numbered as being 50090 - a set which almost certain saw use .


A photo of Kpt.lt. Kurt Petersen who surrendered U-541 at Gibralter in May 1945 , the set of 8x60 over his shoulder.

The set itself was painted black when I got it and over a period of a week or so I stripped off the post war black to bring up the original war time colour which was almost intact .



A view of the huge prisms within the set, these are held together in a metal cage.






The set above is an example of the 7x50 "smooth" occular by Zeiss , this set is almost perfect , the leather rainguard as shown is rare and hard to find in this perfect condition.
The eagle /IV marking as shown is the mid war Kgm acceptance stamp which adds to the set.
The bakalite plates says "Benutzer" - user and Fixed ocular do not adjust" , the stiff natiure of the eye piece allows for it to be "set" for the individual user so when they lift it the horizon is always in focus.

Desiccating cells were loacted in the front of the prism housings , the ones in this set are still active 65 years on.
These "cells" absorb moisture from the inside of the set keeping the prims and interior of the lens clear from moisture.





The rubber jacket as seen in the photo above is extinct - none exist anymore - these were required to protect the body of the sets from the Atlantic.




Another set of smooth ocular 7x50 by Zeiss , the "Benutzer" Kapp - bakalite and almost impossible to find unbroken , if at all.
Exactly the same as the set shown above.



A set of "Gas" oculars - same 7x50 standard design but with rubber eyecups and enlaarged occulars which agin produce a sharper superior image - the eye relief is extremely comfortable - this set has a flak graticule in them which makes them "sought after" , the bakalite rainguard again is a great"extra" and adds to the completeness of the item.





Above U-96 the bridge crew show a mixture of Zeiss smooth and Leitz "Tuna can2 7x50's.
The Leitz sets proved unsatisfcatory in the long run , the bodies of the set absorbed moisture and were prone to fogging.





As a group.

(Some more to follow).

We all have our own wee ways of going mad , this is mine - dovetails with the kgm which is my main Axis WW2 thing.

 

Binoculars r great but man why do u need that nazi naval flag? Little offending for me..

 

Why do you find it offensive deadb_tch? whats the difference between a Nazi flag and a set of binos with the Nazi Eagle on them? Anyway James, well done mate. I love the collection nice to see some rare binoculars (the flag is great aswell). And look forward to seeing more.

All the Best, Donnie

 

Why do you find it offensive deadb_tch? whats the difference between a Nazi flag and a set of binos with the Nazi Eagle on them?


As nazi symbols is on the flag - I find it offending a little, could be nazi symbols not offending for russian - the answer is obvious.
Yes Nazi Eagle on binos is offending too but u can't remove it while showing 'em - controversal to flag that u couldn't show.
Should notice I am not trying to start a flame war or smthn, that was just my note.

PS: BTW, I have at least two books on 3rd Reich militaria (reference books) and my parents were amazed and angry when they've seen it...they've decided me a nazi for a while.

EDIT: Am not trying to set something like 'i am russian, please remove all nazi symbols - its offending', no, no and again no. That's just a note. Binoculars r great anyway, post anything else u have.

 

Im not moaning at you mate nor am i starting an argument, i understand that the russians suffered greatly from the war and finding the Swastika offensive is a completely personal thing but millions of families around the world suffered from the war (including mine) directly but since it was 60 odd years ago and most people have not experienced it first hand (unless a veteran). Sorry for the rant i just want to understand how a nation can still be so up tight and sore about something that happened so many years ago. Do you not find Imperial German sybols offensive? even though again Russia suffered due to the Germans during the First World War?.

Anyway, lets get back to the topic....i do apologise James.

Donnie

 

Im not moaning at you mate nor am i starting an argument, i understand that the russians suffered greatly from the war and finding the Swastika offensive is a completely personal thing but millions of families around the world suffered from the war (including mine) directly but since it was 60 odd years ago and most people have not experienced it first hand (unless a veteran). Sorry for the rant i just want to understand how a nation can still be so up tight and sore about something that happened so many years ago. Do you not find Imperial German sybols offensive? even though again Russia suffered due to the Germans during the First World War?.


Man, it would be great if we all - countries suffered from nation with Swastica on signs, flags etc. - can calm down with nazi stuff and forget it like nightmare... But here is still nazis, still carrying nazi symbols, in europe, russia and so on - so how can it be not up tight.. While there is still someones that hailing to Hitler.. We can miss when it will come back, I think.. Like Europe missed Germany rising from WW1.
Of course mostly this is my personal thing but here in Russia neo-nazis feeling like home, even although our people suffered from nazis @ WW2, they r killing anti-fascist activists, they r killing people on russian streets.. So not everything right in case of nazi symbols and Russia..

 

Ok mate,

Now i understand.


Donnie

 

deadb_tch
Binoculars r great but man why do u need that nazi naval flag? Little offending for me..

The flag just happened to be there , it covered the box and gave me something to set them on.
( No offence intended , and no worries about any thought of flame war.
I have a number of Reichskrieg Flags in various sizes the symbol does not cause me pain but the politics etc - no its an historical item but the politics / racial views totally no time for them in any shape manner or form.)



Zeiss 7x50 U-Bootglas the standard mid / late war binocular issued to U-boat crews
The binocular is waterproof , same cast body construction as the 8x60 -the rubber top cap are in two parts the eye cup and the prism over , the rubber objective bumpers to protect against bumps on metal surfaces which might break the lens or knock it out of collimation.

Lighter than the 8 it gives 128 meters at 1000 meters FOV is 7.3.


The reverse shows the drying cells , again these balance nicely on the fingertips , the rubber eyecups give a comfortable and easy eye relief.



The objective rubbers make the end view look larger than life, in terms of service life this set had a bakalite rainguard but in reality most crewmen cut these off and threw them overboard - they simply got in the way.


A view inside the prism housing.


( Above is the 8x60)



Not the exact photo I was looking for but one which made me want to own a set.



From Buchiem's "U-Boot Krieg" ( Peiper).

The rubber gasket to ensure no seawater ingressed into the binocular.


What you find under the top cap - makers code for Zeiss and the serial number of the set.

 

Impressive collection of binos, James - thanks for sharing the info and images.

 

Again, very nice mate. Would be interested in seeing your flags too.

Donnie

 

Binoculars r great but man why do u need that nazi naval flag? Little offending for me..

We know how you feel mate, and many feel the same. But you can see here that James is no Nazi apologist; he's just a collector and this adds something to the way the items are displayed. The flag itself is an historical item - we can't ignore it existed. The people who see it as anything more than an historical item are the scary ones, and tend not to linger here, thankfully.

 

The very minor stuff I will do myself but if it means taking it apart - it will be done by a gent called Dougie Biggart who runs "Glasgow Binocular Repairs" - he only does a good job and it is money well spent.
I have to be very careful about what I buy - I am not rich !
Most of what you see are one off buys not to be repeated.

 

We know how you feel mate, and many feel the same. But you can see here that James is no Nazi apologist; he's just a collector and this adds something to the way the items are displayed. The flag itself is an historical item - we can't ignore it existed. The people who see it as anything more than an historical item are the scary ones, and tend not to linger here, thankfully.

Paul, sorry, if I did something wrong, but I recognize that James posted pic with that naval nazi flag without any nazi-related things in mind - of course! its a historical item. I've just noted that its a little offending, no more. And as I said I have 2 great illustrated refrence books on nazi militaria - would I have it if I am scarrying of any Swastika or smthn else?

James, keep sharing your stuff, its great anyway.

Sorry for offtopic, I shouldn't denote what I've noted...

 

James,
As Paul and others have mentioned previously, a wonderful collection and thanks for sharing the photos for all to see.

Tom

 

Dear James:

One question about your old jewels -the binoculars-

What are the condition of the lenses and prismas with 60 years old?

Are present problems as dust, reduced transparency, loss of collimation
, or similar?

Many thanks for share the photos of your equipment!



Jan.
An amateur astronomer.

 

As I use them on a regular basis I have had them cleaned .
Optical condition varies , I have only bought a few sets which I felt could be left alone.
Some folks who collect this sort of stuff would have a fit if you said "clean it" , for them it changes the piece and takes away its character.
My view is slightly different.
They were never meant to exist without mainatnce and 60 plus years on they do need it.
Dust and dirty easily removed , moisture and mould will eat into coatings and destroy the cement which bonds lens and prims together.
I know of one leading European gent who has over 100 U-Bootglas which he says will nver be cleaned or serviced - to me this is simply mad.
Cracked and damaged units I avoid , where do you get a replacement lens or prism ?
Collimination - easily corrected when professionally cleaned, lubricants replaced - easy again.
Quite often you get something and it is solid nothing works after it has been worked on it is like new - will never need to be looked at in my lifetime again .
That set in a display case full of fungal growth or brewing it give it another ten years and it will be beyond saving , what I have I use and what was in poor order is now like new.

As far as restoration goes there is a fine line - repaint does not work for me - an old tatty looking set with good intact lens etc - works for me every time over a retouched and repainted set - nothing wrong with honest wear.

When you see "mint" sets for sale on eBay at an arm and a leg price when you ask the seller often says its "mint but I have had it repainted" , if it has been repainted it is not mint , would you repaint an old master , or that rare helmet ?

 

Great Binos, thanks for posting.

(the flag is standard display procedure, Japanese cipher machine- http://jproc.ca/crypto/jade.html

 

.......As I use them on a regular basis I have had them cleaned..........

Many thanks, James!
Your explain are very clear and formative.....


In one of your post talk about of dessicant substances for keep humidity in low grade. Do you know the chemical composition of this capsules?





Jan.