I've had this switch for a few years now, but have never been able to identify what it comes from. It appears to be a dimmer switch to control the backlighting in an optical sight of some description, but what? It's 10x7cm and made of bakelite (or similar) - see the photos. The oval areas with text: the 2 on the left side seemingly translate as 'Illumination of scale markings' and have a two-pin plug socket on the top and bottom edge by each. The right hand oval has a similar socket underneath and translates as 'Illumination of range markings', so some sort of graticule is involved. The trailing cable has been cut off just out of shot, so no plug. The dial is marked 'Light to dark' and has an ordnance code 'fwq' that I can't identify from various lists. The only other clue was that the switch came to me loose in the wooden carrying chest of a German optical gas mask of a type carried in U-boats, but whether there is any nautical connection is completely open to question. Any thoughts/ideas much appreciated! - Pete
Pete, If it is an optical dimmer for U-Boat bioculars, James is your man and will more than likely know. I will PM James and ask him to check out your post. Regards Tom
Pete, If it is an optical dimmer for U-Boat bioculars, James is your man and will more than likely know. I will PM James and ask him to check out your post. Regards Tom Thanks for that Tom! - Pete
Pete, If it is an optical dimmer for U-Boat bioculars, James is your man and will more than likely know. I will PM James and ask him to check out your post. Regards Tom Great minds Tom....
This item might be most often found with range finders , it is unlikely that it is a U-Boat item. Something I could give a good home to
This item might be most often found with range finders , it is unlikely that it is a U-Boat item. Something I could give a good home to Thanks James! The possible U-boat connection came from the label on the respirator carrying chest lid that provides a space for the U-number to be written in - unfortunately left blank on mine, so probably never on a U-boat. The mask was issued to anyone using optical instruments, but the wooden chest is reminiscent of a ditty box and just looks nautical, so naval gunnery is not ruled out. However, the switch could have been put in the box at any time, so is not necessarily related to the respirator of course. If anyone does ever precisely identify the switch, I'd love to know! - Pete
I've had a couple of PMs asking what the German optical gas mask looked like - some interactive photos are at: PillBlogs: The Virtual Gas Mask One of the most treasured pieces in my collection! - Pete
Pete, I have seen one of these on Wehrmacht Awards forum , in its transit case , also think there is one on show in the "Grand Bunker" in Normandy. Certainly an odd piece of kit. The dimmer switch - always found in range finder kits , and on flak range finders , I will look out a few photos of them on flak range finders. Below the "Gas mask " set - one of the best binoculars produced by Zeiss , comfortable eye relief and brilliantly clear definition.
Accessories for optics - Wehrmacht-Awards.com Militaria Forums Pete , see this thread on WA. ,below some photos borrowed from members there showing the dimmer switch.
Accessories for optics - Wehrmacht-Awards.com Militaria Forums Pete , see this thread on WA. ,below some photos borrowed from members there showing the dimmer switch. James, thanks for this - exactly what I wanted to know! Love those Zeiss binoculars too - never seen those before. You are the undisputed optical expert! Pete
gaspirator You are the undisputed optical expert! Oh no I am not Thought of your post when this arrived this am , the battery box is standard to all German light fittings from WW2. The lead came from a gent in Norway , the slide on the head of the fitting allows the light entering to be adjusted.
James, I have to hand it to you, you have a lot of good "Optical" contacts around the world Regards Tom
