Hans Seeger, Militaerische Fernglaeser und Fernrohre, 2.3.4 - II, IIIa, 
IV,  pages 102 - 110, 115 - 119

[page 102]  2.3.4-II.  Germany, Army.  Optics from the H.Dv. 448/1

The Army Official Service Regulations (H.Dv.) 448/1 of 1927 include 
'Binoculars, scissor telescopes [Scherenfernrohre], periscopes 
[Sehrohre], sighting-telescopes [sniper scopes], artillery sighting 
positions [Beobachtungsleiter], Klarinol cloth [Klarinoltuch]'; and 
were reprinted in 1936 and 1940 with few changes.  This manual presents 
a good overview, but leaves unanswered certain questions in regard to 
surviving models.  These concern the many models which were created 
between 1918 and 1945, and which are not mentioned in the Service 
Regulations, though their use in the Army or the Navy seems to be 
certain.

In the Regulations, the D.F.-models in table 7 [pp130-1] are 
depicted and described in detail, the comments in the table (in 
parenthesis) are notes of the author of this book.

From the lists in Regulations 448, it is clear that the 1927 
version includes text and pictures that have been taken from an earlier 
publication.  The Goerz-model 7 x 52.5, fig. 94, was out of production 
in 1927.  The Zeiss D.F. 10 x 50 with Abbe-Koenig prisms was produced 
only into the 1930s, see fig. 61.  Along with these models, there are 
those D.F. models which were still in use at the time, but only some of 
which were still in production.  In this connection, the Army 
regulation of May 27, 1933 is of interest and contains important 
information.  We learn from it (as well as from the regulations of 1936 
and 1940, which contain the changes that were prescribed in this 
document), the binoculars which were used and were available at that 
time to the German Army, and also how difficult the times were.*  Thus, 
alternatives to the 6 x 30, such as out of date service glasses, had to 
be utilized.  In these regulations, service glasses without a reticle 
were ‘legalised’.

*'My father ( born in 1897 and a WW I participant, told me that in 
the twenties and thirties non-uniformed army personnel occasionally 
walked through the rows of spectators at sports events, confiscated 
service glasses and collected them.' (Hans J. Richter, personal 
communication).

Replacements for 6x30 binoculars without standard reticles.

According to H.Dv. 448, Part 1, page 18, number 13; instead of a 
missing D.F. 6 x 30; the D.F. 8 x 24, D.F. 8 x 25, D.F. 8 x 26, or D.F. 
8 x 27, may be used.

Because of the great lack of D.F. 6 x 30s and of the 8x, in the 
future, the headquarters and units for whom D.F.s without reticles are 
authorized, must also use the D.F. 6 x 24 without reticles.

Requisitions for exchange of the D.F. 6 x 24 cannot be fulfilled 
any longer.  In exchange for damaged or unusable D.F. s without 
reticles, the above mentioned headquarters and units may be issued D.F. 
6 x 24 or 8x without reticles, instead of the 6 x 30 D.F. without 
reticle.

H.Dv 448, part 1, page 18, number 13 is to be changed as follows, 
in hand writing:

'13. Instead of D.F. 6 x 30, the following D.F. can also be used:
Binoculars 6 x 24 of differing firms,
Binoculars 8 x 24 from Zeiss and Hensoldt,
Binoculars 8 x 25 of Voigtlander,
Binoculars 8 x 26 of Goerz and
Binoculars 8 x 27 of Rodenstock.'

The sentence on page 18 and 19 under Number 13:
'In the right viewing lens in the D.F. 6 x 30, the described 
reticle should be present' is to be eliminated.

Chief of the Army leadership, May 23, l933.  Wehr A ln 4 IIIb.

After this excursion through the army regulations from the 20s to 
the 40s, is a further examination of the models mentioned in this 
regulation, and also those binoculars which have not yet been treated 
in this book.  This includes other official German military glasses; 
because a considerable number of surviving German military glasses are 
not mentioned in the '448' H.Dv., and this is no reason for us to 
ignore them.


[page 103]  2.3.4.-III (a)  Germany

Further official Military field glasses and optics not mentioned in 
the H.Dv. 448

Among the previously mentioned ‘Spezial-Fernglaeser’, is the 
miniature 4 power model for the cavalry by Zeiss, see fig. 56.  While 
this model is relatively well known, and had a civilian ‘brother’ (the 
Zeiss Turol), this is not true for another older military 4 x 20 from 
Zeiss.  This rare model, designed with increased distance between 
objectives, probably resembled in appearance the previously discussed 
D.F. 4x from 1904 (chapter 2.3.4.-I).  The Ur (original) 4 x 20 
probably had a folding bridge; but surviving specimens are not known to 
the author.  The example in fig. 46b, a later D.F. 4x, is in the Optics 
Museum of Jena and was recently described by Beez (1993), see fig. 46 
b.

During WWI, on German signalling instruments, a 4x monocular was 
permanently affixed, which is shown in Fig 100.  Details are given in 
paragraph 2.5.

For the purpose of high geometrical intensity of light, Zeiss made 
the D.F. 6 x 42 (fig. 58) and 4 x 42 (fig. 221).

Note: Some military experts maintain that the D.F. 6 x 42 was 
produced exclusively for the Imperial Navy.  The author does not have 
any proof of this.  The glass mentioned at the end of 2.3.5 could 
confirm this hypothesis.  The D.F. 6 x 42 in fig. 58 does not have any 
of the typical Naval markings, and neither does another D.F. 6 x 42 
(serial number 1000775, leather cover, heavy zinc housing, 1100 grams).

Around 1906, Zeiss developed the D.F. 95n./ A. (fig. 46a), which 
was later renamed D.F. 8 x 24.  (The D.F. 6 x 30 was probably developed 
along with the Zeiss 6 x 30.  The corresponding civilian version was 
first introduced in the 1907 brochure T 74).  These binoculars have the 
modern form with straight housing covers with a rim that is bent over 
the housing, see figures 52, 53, and 57.  Until about 1913, the Zeiss 
D.F. 8 x 24 had high prism housings, and resembled the D.F. 6 x 30.  
Around 1914, the Zeiss D.F. 8 x 24 was redesigned, to the smaller size 
of the D.F. 6 x 24 (see fig. 19).

One of the German military glasses of medium size is the Zeiss D.F. 
8 x 40, which was introduced in 1914, after the Army models D.F. 12 x 
40 and D.F.16 x 40 (both also by Zeiss, from about 1911).  This field 
glass was produced by Zeiss in two versions; the first form was slim 
(fig. 58),and the later one had larger prism housings.  After the first 
World War, and possibly by 1917-18, the 8 x 40 was equipped with wide 
angle oculars.

One adaptation, which was probably not successful in the military, 
is the 12 x 30, fig. 57.  The civilian version was first built in 1907, 
and the field of view is 58m/1000m for both civilian and military 
models.  The civilian models shown in the Zeiss catalogs resemble  the 
D.F. 12x of fig. 57.  But there was also a slightly different design, 
found in the Zeiss military prospectus T 82, circa 1910.  This version 
of the D.F. 12 x 30 has longer connecting parts between the objectives 
(the D.F. 6 x 30 had similar parts in this prospectus, but only in this 
one).  The version with longer connecting parts was used for a very 
brief time.  The prospectus T 82 of September 1911 shows the 12 x 30 
with shorter objective connecting parts (as in fig. 57).  In this form 
the military 12 x 30 lasted until about 1914; and in prospectus T 190 
of August 1914 it was no longer listed.

Note: One D.F. 12 x 30 (Carl Zeiss, Jena) has the inscription: '4m 
mirror based instrument No. 60', with a serial number of 430414, and on 
the rim of the housing cover is the number 18220.  The left reticle has 
a mark towards the top, bottom, right and left: 8.16.24/16 degree 
(Thomas Antoniades, personal communication).

Of the field glasses discussed above, a further group can be 
separated, (just as arbitrarily): Porro prism field glasses with 50 and 
60 mm objectives, giving bright images.  [page 104]  These models were 
mainly used by the Navy (see paragraph 4), where certain configurations 
were dominant (7 x 50 and 8 x 60).  In the Army of the 30s, a large 
service glass of 10 power was introduced for official service use, next 
to the 6 & 8 x 30mm models, namely the 10 x 50, shown in fig. 59.  In 
the course of the second World War, the 10 x 50 was used in photometer 
batteries [Lichtmessbatterien, light measuring battery].

Note: the photometer process involves finding the location of enemy 
artillery positions by focusing on the gunflash, using several light 
measuring devices placed in a long row. (from the dictionary).


General Army communications of February 1940:

Binocular 10 x 50 for photometer batteries.
Instead of 11 binoculars 6 x 30 for the photometer batteries, there 
will be in the future 11 binoculars 10 x 50, divided up as follows:
Battery leader: =1
3 platoon leaders =3
2 deputy platoon leaders =2
5 measuring stations =5 

The allotment is without any special requirements.  For each 
binocular 10 x 50 issued, a binocular 6 x 30 has to be returned.  Until 
the complete quantity is issued, the 6 x 30 remains in use.

Until it is reprinted, there is a note to be added in the K.A.N. 
536 and 537:
O.K.H. (Ch H Ruest u. BdE), Feb 16 1940
-79 e - AHA/ln 4 (V H)


The 10 x 50 models by Busch (fig. 59) are marked with cxn, and 
several parts are made of steel, including the housing covers, the 
central axis spindle, and the discs above and below the axis.  The 
later cxn models with the serial numbers between 366000 and 401000 are 
easily distinguishable from other 10 x 50s by the characteristic form 
of the steel objective covers.  The earlier cxn 10 x 50 service glasses 
(serial numbers between about 350000 and 364000) have the usual 
objective covers (not of steel), and only the front fastening ring 
(screwed in around the objective) is of steel.  Both Busch 10 x 50s 
have the same optics; they have surprisingly large fields, of about 
130m/1000m, larger than the corresponding blc 10 x 50 service glasses.  
(The Zeiss Dekaris, in 1940, was listed in a catalog with a f.o.v. of 
7.3 degrees or 128m/1000m, the same values as had the corresponding blc 
service glass.  But direct comparison shows that the blc 10 x 50 does 
not surpass the 128m f.o.v. of the Binoctar, nor that of the cxn 10 x 
50).

A Leitz 10 x 50 was built before the first World War in the form of 
the 'classic' navy field glasses, [Porro II], see fig. 59.  But the 
author does not know of such a Leitz Porro II 10 x 50 that actually has 
naval markings.  The majority of these 10 x 50s had typical army 
markings.

For most handheld use, field glasses with a magnification over 8 
power, or at the most 12 power, are not practical.  But there were 
military field glasses with magnifications of 15, 16 and 18 power, 
without tripod sockets.  An unnamed Voigtlaender 15 x 42, and a Zeiss 
16 x 40 are shown in fig. 60, and the corresponding French model from 
the same time (first World War) is shown in fig. 43.  Two Zeiss models 
of 18 power are shown in figures 83 and 84, and these models could be 
supplied with special tripod adapters for stationary use.

From wartime photographs of both World Wars, and from collections 
of military optics, it can be seen that Dialyts and other models with 
roof prisms were not as widespread in the German army as were the Porro 
I glasses.  [page 105]  Military Dialyts as shown in figures 62, 63, 
64, and 69 are rare, as are the slim field glasses with Abbe-Koenig 
prisms.  The 7 power Noctar (fig. 196) with the Abbe-Koenig prism 
system was used along with similar 10 and 12 power glasses, in the Navy 
and in the Army, see fig. 61.

Note: Two D.F. 12 x 50s of this design have the serial numbers 
451968 and 703835.  Both models have a turnable reticle on the left, 
and also an M marking.  Turnable reticles are the exception in German 
military optics, see figures 87, 106, 107 and 117.

During the second World War, the Dialyts were used, see figures 63 
and 64.  Because of their low weight, they were used in the air force, 
along with the usual Porro models.  [page 110]  Dialyts are also 
occasionally seen in wartime photos of tank units, mountain forces, and 
parachute troops (fig. 64).  In one collection is a Dilayt 7 x 56 
marked bmj, and engraved: 'The supreme Leader SS', probably a present 
from Himmler to a deserving SS member (William Dautrich, U.S.A. 
personal communication).  However, Dialyts were infrequently used by 
any of the branches of the military.  The Navy used Dialyts sparingly, 
if at all.  One reason could be because at sea, the metal alloy used by 
the Hensoldt Dialyts was unstable.  This was, as in the thirties, the 
Elektron alloy.  A Dialyt from the Naval artillery is the exception to 
this ‘rule’: This 7 x 56 (serial no. 554697), marked bmj (Hensoldt, 
Wetzlar) and Dienstglas [Service Glass], has at the objective 
connecting piece the engraving ‘Artl’ and ‘M’, and the national marking 
(eagle with swastika).  This field glass was produced in 1943, as 
indicated by the stamp ‘1943 bmj’ on the carrier.  (Collection Alfred 
Koenig.)


[page 115]  2.3.4-IV.  Germany.  Military (?) models and field 
glasses of unknown purpose.

As indicated by the chapter title, it is not certain whether some 
German binoculars were developed or produced exclusively for the 
military. It is not possible to be sure whether they were produced on 
official government orders, or used during the war, since information 
is not available for all.  Many, but not all, of the field glasses 
listed below show some of the criteria of military models.  The 
materials used can also be definite indications for production during 
the war.  During war times the production of civilian field glasses was 
drastically reduced, especially in Germany during the first and second 
World Wars.  The situation in Great Britain and the U.S.A. is described 
elsewhere, and the author cannot report about other countries.  So, if 
we find in German models typical wartime ‘ersatz materials’, that 
indicates mainly that the glass in question was produced during the 
war, and perhaps also that it was produced for the war.  Center focus 
indicates that it was not made for the military.  If we find several 
‘incompatible’ military and civilian characteristics, any pronouncement 
about the field glass in question must be speculative.

An especially interesting field glass will introduce this chapter; 
a glass that would seem to have been destined for a military career.  
It is the first 10 x 50 model, slim, lightweight, and pleasing; and 
built during a time when no other producer in the world had a hand held 
prism field glass with 50 mm objectives.  The Hensoldt ‘Marine- u. 
Artillerieglas No. 11’ [Navy and Artillery glass No 11] was built in 
two versions around 1901-02; one with individual focusing, (a 
prerequisite in Germany for the use in the military), see fig. 67, and 
also with center focus.  [page117]  Why was this glass unsuccessful?  
The Military was not the cause, but rather the lawyers made that 
decision.  This glass infringed on the Zeiss patent, valid until 1908, 
with its increased distance between objectives.  So it had to 
disappear, and it took nearly 10 years until other firms brought 
similarly effective field glasses on the market.  In the history of the 
field glass, this model is a milestone, and from the name given by 
Hensoldt, the intended use was clearly indicated.  This is reason 
enough to describe this glass here, even if there were only few 
produced and it is questionable whether a dozen years later they were 
used at the front during the World War.

A similar fate was shared  by the 8 x 26 model in fig. 67, which 
can be recognized as a military glass by the individual focus and the 
clamping nut.  The prism housing is closed on top, and along with the 
flat shape of the housings, this a glass that is excellent for use in 
the field.  In January of 1904, Hensoldt described the corresponding 
civilian models as follows:

'The glass we are offering here has a new form and should do 
justice to these requirements in an unsurpassed manner.  The body of 
this glass is cast in one piece; so that the screwed-on coverplates 
used until now are unnecessary.  Therefore, an absolute reliability of 
the alignment is guaranteed, and the stability of the interior is 
assured, which cannot be achieved for bodies with covers.  An essential 
improvement is given by the new form, for it provides the ability to 
extract the prism body for cleaning, without endangering the 
alignment.'

The Hensoldt military models of this design were probably built for 
a short time around 1904, but the patent situation prevented these 
useful glasses from having a further life....One year later, Hensoldt 
introduced the ‘Hensoldt field glass models 1905’, the in-line Dialyts 
with ‘roof prisms’, which become the characteristic Hensoldt models.  
Dialyts are frequently shown in this book, see figures 62, 63, 64 and 
69.  After 1908, Hensoldt, as well as other producers, built military 
field glasses in the customary Porro I form (D.F. 03).  The efforts of 
this factory to gain new buyers in the third Reich were memorable.  
During the time of the third Reich (1933), the Porro I model 
‘Wehrsport’ [war games] (6x24). later called the ‘Gelaendesport’ [field 
sports], was introduced.  As told in the Hensoldt brochure ‘Christmas 
1934’: 'Every SA and SS man is going to be very pleased when he finds 
this prism glass under the Christmas tree'.  (The serial number of such 
a model is 211704, collection Peter Lamb.)

Schuetz, Kassel, produced field glasses which were called ‘Armee-
Modell A’ or ‘B’ or ‘C’, and which were similar to their own civilian 
models.  Their characteristic construction form results from the use of 
the Porro II prism system for image reversal.  Model A had the typical 
round prism housings of the Perplex field glasses (Seeger, 
‘Feldstecher’ fig. 72).  Model B resembled the later Feldglas 1914.  
All three models could be purchased with 6, 8 or 10 power.  Fig. 68 
shows the Army Models A and C and the Feldglas 1914 from this producer, 
the latter with center focus, which is very unusual for a military 
glass and probably means that the name had nothing to do with its use.  
[page 119]

Schuetz, Kassel produced the ‘Armee-Modell 1914’ shown in fig. 68, 
designed for increased ‘geometrical intensity of light’ and greater 
magnification.  All models have the characteristic form of the Schuetz 
glasses.  The author doesn’t know of any Schuetz Porro II binoculars 
from the second World War which were specifically produced for military 
use.  Of course, during this time Scheutz, along with Ruf & Co. and all 
other German companies produced military optics.  Ruf & Co. also 
received a code production number, but examples with their markings of 
gkp have not been seen by the author.

Early military field glasses by Leitz need do not require a 
separate discussion.  The best known models are the characteristic 
Naval binoculars, which will be treated in their own chapter.  The 
early military prism field glasses shown in Leitz publications do not 
show any differences from the civilian models, with the exception of 
the individual focus and the securing nut on the central axis.  Later 
Leitz Army models, of the modern Zeiss design, are common, for example 
the Leitz D.F. 03 (6 x 24).

In regards to the history of Leitz field glasses and Leitz military 
optics, there is an interesting note from the 'Special imprint from the 
memorial address for Ernst Leitz, March 1, 1941:

'The production of prism field glasses was begun in 1907 after 
three years of experiments, in a small production volume, to offset a 
possible depression in microscope sales and also to diversify Leitz 
optics.  The prism field glass opened the area of newer military 
optics.

The World War brought a strong increase in the development of 
military instruments, and the large area of military optics was 
incorporated into the production plans of the Leitz works in the years 
1914-1918.  This is in contrast to the war of 1870-71 which left no 
trace of the production and sales of military optical instruments in 
the business records.  But in the World War, sighting telescopes, 
airplane observation instruments, scissor telescopes, periscopes for 
trenches, and nearly 100,000 field glasses (prism telescopes), and 
artillery sighting telescopes and machine gun sighting telescopes, as 
well as a number of grenade detonators were produced.  Because of the 
Treaty of Versailles, the firm did not have any remaining possibility 
of progress in this direction, and only the production of different 
types of prism glasses for private use was left.'

In passing, two other Army models from other producers shall be 
mentioned, which were not successful at that time.  Probably only small 
numbers were produced, and none survived.  So we can only report from 
pictures in brochures.  These models show that every factory wanted to 
take part in military optics after taking up the production of field 
glasses.

Shortly after the turn of the century, Steinheil manufactured a 
military prism field glass, see fig. 69, that has characteristics 
perhaps taken from British firms or perhaps independently developed.  
Compare it to the model by Dallmeyer in fig. 26 (a similar model, that 
also used a housing that enclosed both tubes, was built at the same 
time by Aitchison).  This design, with straight housing covers, seems 
rather primitive; but when the Steinheil glass was built, the bent-over 
rim for housing covers was patented by Goerz.

In Germany, Hensoldt was also aiming to enter the military market 
at the beginning of the 20th century, and to build on the success of 
the civilian Dialyts.  After the failures of the models shown in fig. 
67, they introduced a Dialyt for infantry use, the ‘Little Infantry 
Glass 07’.  It had a field-grey covering which Hensoldt had patented.  
They boast in the brochures:

'The lightest and most handy officer’s service glass.. The 
astonishing success of this glass in all service branches proves, that 
in truth, it is destined to satisfy the real need of the military.'

Well, the author of this text seems to have heard this calling more 
than anyone else.

This chapter will end with the Goerz prism field glass from Vienna, 
see fig. 70.  This 10 x 45 model with individual focus and a large 
securing nut is doubtlessly of military origin.  The markings, the 
reticle, and the additional engravings reinforce that fact.  In the 
Goerz German brochures about Army and Navy Trieders from 1912-1914, 
this model is not mentioned, and the Pernox (6 x 30) is not mentioned 
there either.  (The name of the 10 x 45 civilian model with center 
focus is 'Pernox').





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