|
|
Unusual
Page 1
Pages (1); (2) Kriegsmarine Binoculars; (3) 10x80 multicoated; (4) Zeiss 3x20 Teleplast; (5) & (6) Kriegsmarine eug 10x80 80°;
(7) Marine Revolver 5&10 magnification CZJ; (8) Gasmask; Nedinsco, dow, bmk; (8a) BBT Krauss/Huet 7x50; (11) Ross 12x28; (12) Huet 20x50
Carl Zeiss Jena 7x50 Binoctem CF shorter model (x2) Binoculars Kern 9 x 80 - prototype D.F. 3 x 18 Carl Zeiss - 1900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carl Zeiss Jena 7 x 50 Binoctem Central Focus (CF) shorter model - Production No 2091256
This 7 x 50 Binoctem model is a special one. It was produced in a small quantity. As far as today we heard about 8 pieces, production numbers:
2091176; 2091256 (our coll.) 2091351; 2126408 (Jena Museum); 2126855; 2126857; 2251422; 2266755 (our coll.).
As far as today, it was not explained why this model was produced, a little different from others 7x50 models. It is a shorter model than other 7x50.
It was produced during the WWII, ca 1941-1944, as uncoated and a few coated models.
  
7x50 CF Binoctem coated model, prod No 2126857; from the late Peter Lamb collection. © Steven Lamb
This model is exposed in Carl Zeiss Jena Museum with production number 2126408.
Pict 1; 7x50 CF Binoctem in Museum Jena; Pict from the article “Fernglas - Raritaten aus dem Optischen Museum Jena Teil I” (Binoculars - Rarities from the Optical Museum Jena, Part I), by Dr. Helga Beez and Dr. Hans Seeger, published in 1993; in our library.
We can read under the picture, in the article:
“A type that is not listed in the former brochures - may be produced in a small series. Coated optics. Approx. 3 cm lower than the standard 7 x 50 Zeiss model “ Binoctar” or “Binoctem”. The pictured glass has 127/1000 m (7° 15’) almost the same field of view as the Binoctar (128 m / 1000 m). The objective is very short focal length (approx. 140 mm), which clearly falls below the level which is usual for an Achromat and poor opening ratio. The location of the exit pupil of 16 mm over the lens allowed the designation “Brillentrager model” by today’s standards. A production of this binocular is not listed, probably because of the war”. (translated by Microsoft)
The binocular is shorter ca 30 mm from ordinary 7x50 models.
  
Pict 2, 3, 4; 7x50 CF Binoctem and 7x50 Jenoptem VEB Carl Zeiss Jena aus Jena (from Jena) in our collection: © Anna Vacani
As we can see in the above pictures, the binoculars’ top body part is shorter. The objective tube is the same length in both binoculars.
  
Pict 5, 6, 7; 7x50 Binoctem in our collection, Prod No 2091256; © Anna Vacani
External features of 7x50 CF Binoctem
The binocular is in immaculate condition. The body is built from aluminium covered with black leather. The engraved description is filled with white-silver emulsion.
 
Pict 8, 9: 7x50 CF Binoctem left and right plates with the description; © Anna Vacani
The eye cups are Bakelite; the additional focus rings on the eye cups are vertically knurled.
The binocular dimensions are:
Width (fully extended) over the prism house - 180 mm (7.08 in) and underneath of the objectives - 200 mm (7.87 in); height 140 mm (5.51 in);
weight 883 gram (1,94 lb).
The production number is engraved on the washer.
Pict 10; 7x50 CF Binoctem, production number on the washer; © Anna Vacani
The right ocular can be focused from -3 to +3 dioptre. The dioptre scale on the ocular is only vertically marked, without the Roman numbers. We can adjust the complete sharpness with the wheel mounted under eye bending, and it is fully marked with the numbers on dioptre scale from -5 to +5.
Internal features of the binocular
It is model with Porro I optical system. The eye lenses are 16 mm diameter. The two of the top are cemented and one not cemented field lens. It has two Porro I prisms per side.
The objective achromatic glass is of two elements cemented, F2.8.
The top prisms are in a usual scalloped shaped in this way to fit around the internal eye piece metal work. If you need to change the top prism you have to have the correct one to fit the side of the one you are replacing.
 Pict 11; 7x50 CF Binoctem Prod No 2091256, top prism; © Anna Vacani
Bottom prisms are not shaped in similar way, and are interchangeable from the left or the right side:
 
Pict 12; 7x50 CF Binoctem; bottom prism - with clamp and masking shield; bottom prism sitting in prism seat © Anna Vacani
The most unusual, in this model 7x50 CF Binoctem (short model) is size of the top and bottom prisms. The top prism measurement is: Length - 52 mm; width - 32 mm; Height - 28 mm. The bottom prism is much smaller: Length - 44 mm; width - 18 mm; Height - 19 mm.
 Pict 13; 7x50 CF Binoctem Prod No 2091256; top and bottom prisms; © Anna Vacani
The objective lenses are well set back from the beginning of the objective ring - 15 mm, when in Jenoptem model it is only 10 mm. The objective tubes are in two parts - a inner carrying the lens and and outer tube leather covered. It called the double skin.
The collimation adjustment is on eccentric rings on the objectives glass cell.
In this short model focal lengths is different from the other 7 x50 models. The objective is shorter focal length and the eyepiece is shorter focal length.
 Pict 14; 7x50 CF Binoctem Prod No 2091256, objectives; © Anna Vacani
The optics is not coated in our binocular. In the early production a few of this model had coated optics (look at the top pictures).
Additional Information
The coated binoculars were produced for military use. The uncoated production of this model probably was exported. This conclusion has a confirmation by the fact that Zeiss did not normally exported T - coated optics, a t that time.
The coated binoculars were with a German style military case.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carl Zeiss Jena 7 x 50 Binoctem Central Focus (CF) shorter model- Production No 2266755
This model is the same as described above. The binocular was produced in 1944. Additionally the binocular is with original Carl Zeiss Jena case. The logo is embossed on the case.
  ![]()  
Pict 1, 2, 3, 4; 7x50 CF Binoctem, production number 2266755; © Anna Vacani
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kern 9 x 80 Prototype
Kern 9 x 80 Prototype made in 1943 in Switzerland
We have received some pictures of a very unusual binocular from a Swiss collector. It was built in war time. The serial number suggests it could be a prototype. Certainly, we have not seen this model of Kern before. It has many unusual elements - in a very Kern’s style. The base of the oculars looks like another Kern product of an observation small binocular. The shape of the binocular is like 12 x 60. In same way the 9 magnification with 80 mm objectives is hardly ever seen.
Kern 9 x 80 Prototype made in 1943 in Switzerland
The eye width adjustment is movement of the right hand ocular as it looks from the pictures. Confirmed by the owner, this binocular is fitted with four filters. The reticule shape is circular with a dot in the center.
Kern 9 x 80 Prototype made in 1943 in Switzerland; 80 mm objectives
If other collectors have knowledge of this binocular, please send to us and we will share that knowledge with others.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D.F. 3 x 18 Carl Zeiss Jena - 1900
This very early model 3x is not in our collection. It arrived to our house. The binocular belongs to the English collector Richard Raby.
The binocular is unusual in many ways. The most unusual is the construction of the objectives, which is constructed from four elements.
It is a Zeiss military model manufactured for the field artillery (Fussartillerie). As we learnt from Dr Hans Seeger “blue” book, this model was not known in binocular field until 1990s. Only two other pairs of this model are currently known. They belong to a German collector. Their production numbers are - 233 and 238. The last production number suggested, that it was produced at least 238 pairs of this model.
 
Pict 1; D.F. 3 x 18 No 53 from Richard Raby collection;© Anna Vacani
External features of the binocular
The binocular body is built of alloy. The cover and objective plates are made of brass. The ocular, objectives tubes and bending bar are of brass as well. Due to the fact that the binoculars is built of such large amount of brass, it is heavy binocular. The body is covering with dark brown leather.
The eye lens is 15 mm and objective is 18 mm diameters. The adjustment of eyepieces by the knurled diopter graduation from -5 ...0...+5.
The description on the cover plates are engraved with an italics font (script). This kind of script was applied on Carl Zeiss Jena binoculars up to 1904.
 
Pict 2; The left prism housing;© Anna Vacani The right prism housing;© Anna Vacani
The production number of the binocular- 53 - is very early.
The eye cups are very wide - Pict 1 .
On the binocular frame is production number - 55.
Pict 3; The frame production number;© Anna Vacani
The objectives plates are secured by three screws, but among them are two additional screws, which hold the “prism stool”. As binoculars expert say, those screws are not present in other military models.
 
Pict 4; Two additional screws;© Anna Vacani Pict 5; The prism stool (left plate);© Anna Vacani
Internal features of the binocular
It is prismatic binocular - optical construction Porro I.
The objectives are composed from four elements in two groups. It is a composition of two achromatic lenses to a double objective, free of distortion.
Pict 6; D.F. 3 x 18 No 53 from Richard Raby collection; The optical system & prism stool (left plate);© Anna Vacani
The binocular measurements:
Height -129 mm (including extended eye tubes); width - 155 mm (fully extended); weight - 780 grams.
The description was based on;
- Hans T. Seeger - Zeiss-Feldstecher Handferngläser von 1894-1919. Modelle - Merkmale - Mythos. The book is in German language. Zeiss binoculars hand binoculars from 1894-1919. Modles - Features - Myth - the title translated by Google. Dr Hans T. Seeger, Hamburg 2010, ISBN 3-00-031440-7. (blue book);
- The information provided by Terry Vacani.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pages (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (8a) (11) (12)
|
|
|
