This is a list of serial numbers, observed in collections and recorded from sources online, of German 10×50 binoculars manufactured from 1933 to 1945, marked as equipment of the German Armed Forces during World War II.
| beh | blc | bmj | bmk | cxn | dym | lux | rln |
beh — Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar, Hesse, Deutschland |
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| S/N | C/R Mark | Identifying Features | Mfg / Maintenance | ||
| 286565 | KF O | Black “rice” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover marked “beh” over “KF” over “O”, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10X50” over “286565”, black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap), black leather Anknöpflasche (button flap) marked “Bullman Linden” above “1940” | beh : 286565 mfg. about 19xx “KF” : 1940 – 1941 |
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| 321943 | KF | Black “rice” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover marked “beh” over “KF”, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10X50” over “321943” over “M” (mils) and “H/6400” Strichplatte (reticle), black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap), black leather Anknöpflasche (button flap) | beh : 321943 mfg. about 19xx “KF” : 1940 – 1941 |
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| 357041 | KF O | Black “Vulkanite” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover marked “beh” over “KF O”, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “357041” over “M” (mils) and “H/6400” Strichplatte (reticle) | beh : 357041 mfg. about 19xx “KF” : 1940 – 1941 |
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| 367944 | KF O |
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beh : 367944 mfg. about 19xx “KF” : 1940 – 1941 |
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| 381366 | KF O | Black “Vulkanite” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover marked “beh” over “KF” over “O” (blue), right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “381366” over “M” (mils) and “H/6400” Strichplatte (reticle), black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap), black leather Okularshutz (eye piece protector) or Regenschutzdeckel (rain protection cover) or Benutzerkappe (user cap) for rear lenses | beh : 381366 mfg. about 19xx “KF” : 1940 – 1941 |
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| 381456 | KF O | Black “Vulkanite” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover marked “beh” over “KF” over “O”, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “381456” over “M” (mils) and “H/6400” Strichplatte (reticle) | beh : 381456 mfg. about 19xx “KF” : 1940 – 1941 |
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| 399131 | O + | Black “Vulkanite” body covering, reticle, black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap), brown leather Okularshutz cap for rear lenses, black leather case spring latch frn 41 WaA 14 1942 | beh : 399131 mfg. about 19xx “O” : 1942 |
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| 410434 | + | Black “Vulkanite” body covering, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “410434” over “beh” over “+” | beh : 410434 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 411802 | + | Black “Vulkanite” body covering | beh : 411802 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 418673 | + | Black “Vulkanite” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover marked “IV.”, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10X50” over “418673” over “beh” over “+” | beh : 418673 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 420014 | + | Black “Vulkanite” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10X50” over “420014” over “beh” over “+” | beh : 420014 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 428014 | + | Black “rice” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10X50” over “428014” over “beh” over “+” | beh : 428014 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 450217 | + | Black “rice” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10X50” over “450217” over “beh” over “+” | beh : 450217 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 461712 | + |
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beh : 461712 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| Original : Black “rice” body covering, black anodized aluminum fittings, black anodized aluminum and black Bakelit (Bakelite) rear lens fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “461712” over “beh” over “+” (cold resistant grease marking, 1942 – 1944), black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap), black leather Anknöpflasche (button flap).
Manipulated Forgery : This Dienstglas (“beh” 10×50, 461712) should be black. Originally manufactured with a black “rice” body covering, the body of this service glass has since been stripped to bare metal, then painted with a modern application of Sandgelb (sand yellow) paint, and intentionally distressed and darkened to look deceptively old and well used in active military service. It is true that in September 1943, the standard Reichsluftfahrt Ministerium (German Ministry of Aviation) listed paint, RLM-79, SANDGELB (sand-yellow), was designated einheitsfarbe Europa (single color Europe), and was ordered to be used on all military equipment of the German armed forces, including tanks, trucks, other vehicles, artillery, and all kinds of smaller equipment, including Dienstgläser, and other optical equipment. However, this does not appear to be the case with this particular service glass (“beh” 10×50, 461712). This Dienstglas (“beh” 10×50, 461712) is a manipulated forgery. In this clearly documented case, seeing the photographic evidence of counterfeiting makes the deception seem obvious. Unfortunately, fakes like this are often recognized only after seeing “before and after” photos of changes made to service glasses with known serial numbers. The ultimate defense is learning by experience — meeting enough fakes to know when you see the next one. The original black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap) is no longer included, although the black leather Anknöpflasche (button flap) remains. |
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| 467808 | + | Black “rice” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10X50” over “467808” over “beh” over “+” | beh : 467808 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 471627 | + | Sandgelb (sand yellow) painted body, aluminum fittings, black painted left prism cover blank, black painted right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “471627” over “beh” over “+” (in blue), not marked “H/6400” but has reticle
This Dienstglas was introduced 1944-1945 and differs from Leitz’s previous beh/10×50 Dienstglas model, which it replaced, by having a wider field of view. The earlier Leitz/beh 10×50 Dienstglas had a two lens/three element Kellner eyepiece giving a 5° field of view. This “WA” (wide angle) version has a three lens/five element Erfle eyepiece giving an approximate 7.3° field of view. The WA has a serial number range of 462XXX- 472XXX which is within the range of binoculars manufactured by Leitz during WW II. Early versions of the model have a black lacquer finish, while later versions such as this example have Sandgelb (sand yellow) painted body and either black painted or black anodized aluminum prism plates. |
beh : 471627 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| beh | blc | bmj | bmk | cxn | dym | lux | rln |
blc — Carl Zeiss, Militarabtailung, Jena, Thuringia, Deutschland |
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| Zeiss Dienstglas Production Numbers, Military and Civilian Source : Produktions und Vertriebsstatistiken (Production and sales statistics) aus (from) BACZ 8401, 11809, 17119, 19607, 23209-23270. Recorded : “jeweils bis Sept. 30” Presumably : “each year until Sept. 30” Serial Numbers |
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| S/N | C/R Mark | Identifying Features | Mfg / Maintenance | ||
| 101 | + | Black “rice” body covering, black painted aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “101” over “blc” and “+” (blue) | blc : 101 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 2175 | + |
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blc : 2175 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| Carl Zeiss serial numbers are consecutive from 1894. About 1943, during WW II,the company introduced two new serial number series for certain binoculars, while maintaining the original series for others. This binocular is serial numbered according to the 1943-1945 “Militärglas-Kurznummernkreis” (Military glass-Short number series). | |||||
| 1557 | + | Black “rice” body covering, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “1557” over “blc” and “+”, brown leather Trageriemen (carrying strap), black rubber Okularshutz (eye piece protector) or Regenschutzdeckel (rain protection cover) or Benutzerkappe (user cap) for rear lenses | blc : 1557 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| Carl Zeiss serial numbers are consecutive from 1894. About 1943, during WW II,the company introduced two new serial number series for certain binoculars, while maintaining the original series for others. This binocular is serial numbered according to the 1943-1945 “Militärglas-Kurznummernkreis” (Military glass-Short number series). | |||||
| 4106 | + | Black “rice” body covering, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “4106” over “blc” and “+”, not marked “H/6400” but has reticle | blc : 4106 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 6583 | + | Black “rice” body covering, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “6583” over “blc” and “+”, black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap), black leather Köcher (case) marked “1944” and “WaA” Eagle proof (number is not readable) | blc : 6583 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| Carl Zeiss serial numbers are consecutive from 1894. About 1943, during WW II,the company introduced two new serial number series for certain binoculars, while maintaining the original series for others. This binocular is serial numbered according to the 1943-1945 “Militärglas-Kurznummernkreis” (Military glass-Short number series). | |||||
| 15882 | + |
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blc : 15882 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| Carl Zeiss serial numbers are consecutive from 1894. About 1943, during WW II,the company introduced two new serial number series for certain binoculars, while maintaining the original series for others. This binocular is serial numbered according to the 1943-1945 “Militärglas-Kurznummernkreis” (Military glass-Short number series). | |||||
| 15906 | + | Black “Vulkanite” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “15906” over “blc” and “+” | blc : 15906 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| Carl Zeiss serial numbers are consecutive from 1894. About 1943, during WW II,the company introduced two new serial number series for certain binoculars, while maintaining the original series for others. This binocular is serial numbered according to the 1943-1945 “Militärglas-Kurznummernkreis” (Military glass-Short number series). | |||||
| 16233 | + | Black “rice” body covering, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “16233” over “blc” and “+” | blc : 16233 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 44641 | + | Black “rice” body covering, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “44641” over “blc” and “+”, black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap), black leather Köcher (case) marked inside case with Reichsadler and “WaA652” inside rectangle stamp, outside of case marked with WaA Eagle (scratched out) and “1944” | blc : 44641 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 388769 | Black “Vulkanite” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “10×50” over “388769”, no other markings. There is no visible mark to identify the manufacturer, so this Dienstglas is placed here for now. | blc : 388769 mfg. about 19xx
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| 1963614 | Black “Vulkanite” body covering, reticle | blc : 1963614 mfg. about Jan 1940
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| 2180711 | O |
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blc : 2180711 mfg. about Nov 1942 “O” : 1943 |
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| 2183235 | O |
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blc : 2183235 mfg. about Dec 1942 “O” : 1942 |
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| 2211832 | + |
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blc : 2211832 mfg. about May 1943 “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 2216326 | + | Black “rice” body covering, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “2216326” over “blc” and “+” (blue), black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap) | blc : 2216326 mfg. about Jun 1943 “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 2231874 | + |
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blc : 2231874 mfg. about Sep 1943 “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| Original : Black “rice” body covering, black anodized aluminum fittings, black anodized aluminum and black Bakelit (Bakelite) rear lens fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “2231874” over “blc” and “+” (cold resistant grease marking, 1942 – 1944), black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap), black leather Anknöpflasche (button flap).
Manipulated Forgery : This Dienstglas (“blc” 10×50, 2231874) should be black. Originally manufactured with a black “rice” body covering, the body of this service glass has since been stripped to bare metal, and the entire service glass, including even the black anodized aluminum fittings and the black Bakelit (Bakelite) rear lens fittings, spraypainted with a “not quite right” modern attempt at Sandgelb (sand yellow) paint. The new spraypaint finish radiates a rather unbelievably bright appearance after more than 70 years since the end of World War II. This astounding spraypaint job is so bright and clean as to show remarkably little evidence of any active military service. Instead, we see an astonishingly minty “NOS” (new old stock) almost unissued, hardly ever used “hideousity”. The original black aluminum prism covers have been cleaned up and spraypainted with Sandgelb (sand yellow) paint to complete the deception. It is true that in September 1943, the standard Reichsluftfahrt Ministerium (German Ministry of Aviation) listed paint, RLM-79, SANDGELB (sand-yellow), was designated einheitsfarbe Europa (single color Europe), and was ordered to be used on all military equipment of the German armed forces, including tanks, trucks, other vehicles, artillery, and all kinds of smaller equipment, including Dienstgläser, and other optical equipment. However, this does not appear to be the case with this particular service glass (“blc” 10×50, 2231874). This Dienstglas (“blc” 10×50, 2231874) is a manipulated forgery. In this clearly documented case, seeing the photographic evidence of counterfeiting makes the deception seem obvious. Unfortunately, fakes like this are often recognized only after seeing “before and after” photos of changes made to service glasses with known serial numbers. The ultimate defense is learning by experience — meeting enough fakes to know when you see the next one. The original black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap) and black leather Anknöpflasche (button flap) are included. |
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| 2230935 | + | Black “rice” body covering, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “2230935” over “blc” and “+” (blue), Kurland, Latvia | blc : 2230935 mfg. about Sep 1943 “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 2234852 | + |
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blc : 2234852 mfg. about Oct 1943 “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 2235239 | + | Black “rice” body covering, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “2235239” over “blc” and “+”, black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap) | blc : 2235239 mfg. about Oct 1943 “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 2236992 | + |
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blc : 2236992 mfg. about Oct 1943 “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 2237167 | + | Black “rice” body covering, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “2237167” over “blc” and “+”, black leather Anknöpflasche (button flap) | blc : 2237167 mfg. about Oct 1943 “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| beh | blc | bmj | bmk | cxn | dym | lux | rln |
bmj — Hensoldt u. Söhne, Mechanisch-Optische Werke AG, Wetzlar, Hesse, Deutschland |
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| S/N | C/R Mark | Identifying Features | Mfg / Maintenance |
| 14839 | Light gray painted body, marked OP or CP 10×50, black leather Köcher (case), spring latch marked frn42, Kreigsmarine (Navy) | bmj : 14839 mfg. about 19xx
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| 492776 | O | “Panzer” roof prism Dienstglas : black “Vulkanite” body covering, front part of both lens tubes without black “Vulkanite” body covering, black painted machine spiraled metal only, underside of left bridge support marked “O” (blue) and “bmj” and “492776”, underside of right bridge support marked “Dienstglas” and “10 X 50”, black painted aluminum front lens rings, black painted aluminum rear lens fittings | bmj : 492776 mfg. about 19xx “O” : 1942 |
| 527699 | + | Reticle (present in right lens, but right prism cover is not marked “H/6400”), black “rice” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “527699” over “+” over “bmj” | bmj : 527699 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
| 565323 | + | “Panzer” roof prism Dienstglas : reticle in right prism but not marked “H/6400”, Sandgelb (sand yellow) painted finish over “rice” body covering, underside of left bridge support marked “+” and “bmj” and “565323”, underside of right bridge support marked “Dienstglas” and “10 X 50”, black anodized aluminum front lens rings, black anodized aluminum rear lens fittings | bmj : 565323 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
| no s/n | + | “Panzer” roof prism Dienstglas : Sandgelb (sand yellow) painted finish over “rice” body covering, underside of left bridge support marked “+” and “bmj” and no serial number, underside of right bridge support marked “D. F.” and “10 X 50”, black anodized aluminum front lens rings, black anodized aluminum rear lens fittings, black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap), black leather Köcher (case) | bmj : no s/n mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
| beh | blc | bmj | bmk | cxn | dym | lux | rln |
bmk — Srb u. Stys, Fabrik praeziser Messinstrumente, Prag (Praha, Prague), Czechoslovakia |
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| S/N | C/R Mark | Identifying Features | Mfg / Maintenance |
| beh | blc | bmj | bmk | cxn | dym | lux | rln |
cxn — Emil Busch AG, Optische Industrie, Rathenow, Brandenburg, Deutschland |
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| S/N | C/R Mark | Identifying Features | Mfg / Maintenance | ||
| 352788 | + |
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cxn : 352788 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 398617 | Δ | Black “rice” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “398617” over “Δ” over “cxn” | cxn : 398617 mfg. about 19xx “Δ” : 1943 – 1945 |
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| 399196 | Δ | Black “rice” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “399196” over “Δ” over “cxn”, black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap) | cxn : 399196 mfg. about 19xx “Δ” : 1943 – 1945 |
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| 400850 | Δ | Black “rice” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “400850” over “Δ” over “cxn” | cxn : 400850 mfg. about 19xx “Δ” : 1943 – 1945 |
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| beh | blc | bmj | bmk | cxn | dym | lux | rln |
dym — Runge u. Kaulfuss (RUKA), Rathenow, Brandenburg, Deutschland |
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| S/N | C/R Mark | Identifying Features | Mfg / Maintenance |
| beh | blc | bmj | bmk | cxn | dym | lux | rln |
lux — Schlieper u. Baum, AG, Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Deutschland |
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| S/N | C/R Mark | Identifying Features | Mfg / Maintenance |
| 29834 | O | Black “Vulkanite” body covering, aluminum fittings, center focus, left prism cover marked “LUX” over “O”, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “7×50” over “29834” | lux : 29834 mfg. about 19xx “O” : 1942 |
| These appear to be commercial field glasses manufactured prior to World War I, judging by the “extra holes” drilled on the inside of the lens tubes (to attach the bridge) of these old commercial field glasses.
These old binoculars appear to have been refurbished and regreased, and marked “Dienstglas” to indicate property of the Reich about 1942. During the battle for the Ruhr valley, British fire bombings in May and June 1943 totally destroyed five of the six large factories in Wuppertal, Germany, including Schlieper & Baum, as well as 211 other industries, and 94% of the city’s family homes. No Dienstglas marked “lux” were made after the destruction of the Schlieper & Baum factory in 1943. |
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| beh | blc | bmj | bmk | cxn | dym | lux | rln |
rln — Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia, Deutschland |
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| S/N | C/R Mark | Identifying Features | Mfg / Maintenance | ||
| Zeiss Dienstglas Production Numbers, Military and Civilian, Source: Produktions und Vertriebsstatistiken aus BACZ 8401, 11809, 17119, 19607, 23209-23270. Recorded “jeweils bis Sept. 30” Presumably : “each year until Sept. 30” Serial Numbers |
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| 28562 | + | Dark gray “rice” body covering, black painted aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “28562” over “rln” and “+” | rln : 28562 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 30169 | + | Dark gray painted body, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “30169” over “rln” and “+”, black Bakelit (Bakelite) Okularshutz (eye piece protector) or Regenschutzdeckel (rain protection cover) or Benutzerkappe (user cap) for rear lenses, black leather strap | rln : 30169 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 30782 | + | Dark gray painted body, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “30782” over “rln” and “+” | rln : 30782 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 88400 | + | Black “rice” body covering, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “88400” over “rln” and “+” (blue), black leather Köcher (case) marked “ksd” and “1942” and WaA Eagle (number not readable) | rln : 88400 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 88440 | + | Dark gray painted body, aluminum fittings, left prism cover blank, right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “88440” over “rln” and “+” (blue), black leather Trageriemen (carrying strap), black leather Köcher (case) | rln : 88440 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 89317 | + |
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rln : 89317 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 90739 | + |
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rln : 90739 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 90909 | + | Dark gray painted body, aluminum fittings, left prism cover marked with Reichsadler (Eagle) emblem over “M” (Marine — Navy), right prism cover marked “Dienstglas” over “10×50” over “90909” over “rln” and “+”, Latvia | rln : 90909 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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| 91983 | + |
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rln : 91983 mfg. about 19xx “+” : 1942 – 1944 |
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