German Empire contract, 1903-1918
Carl Zeiss, Jena
In the armed forces of the German Empire, military service binoculars were marked to identify them as government military property.
Military service binoculars were issued to soldiers with specialized functions. For example, group leaders and artillery observers were issued military service binoculars to perform their duties.
The most common type of service glass used by the armed forces of the German Empire prior to and during the First World War was the 6×24 D.F. 03 and D.F. 6x military service binocular.
The number “6” identifies the magnification power (in this case, “6” indicates that objects appear six times closer than their actual distance).
The number “24” identifies the diameter in millimeters of the front (objective) lenses — the light gathering lenses — in this case 24 millimeters in diameter.
This is a selection of 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, listed in serial number sequence, as manufactured by the Carl Zeiss optical company of Jena, Thuringia for the armed forces of Germany from 1914 to 1918, observed in collections and recorded from sources online.
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, April 1916, Nr.3670, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.3670, heavy construction, made of brass, black painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in April 1916 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Back side of left rear bridge arm marked in white with “IV” (“April”) over “1916”), month and year of production. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.3670” over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.3670, was produced in April 1916 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, 19xx, Nr.7758, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.7758, heavy construction, made of brass, black painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.7758” over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.7758, was produced during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, February 1917, Nr.18164, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.18164, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in February 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Back side of left rear bridge arm marked in white with “II” (“February”) over “1917”), month and year of production. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.18164” over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.18164, was produced in February 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, February 1917, Nr.20214, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.20214, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in February 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Back side of left rear bridge arm marked in white with “II” (“February”) over “1917”), month and year of production. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.20214” over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.20214, was produced in February 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, April 1917, Nr.22894, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.22894, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in April 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Back side of left rear bridge arm marked in white with “IV” (“April”) over “1917”), month and year of production. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.22894” over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.22894, was produced in April 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, 1917, Nr.26659, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.26659, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.26659” over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.26659, was produced in 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, April 1917, Nr.28682, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.28682, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in April 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Back side of left rear bridge arm marked in white with “IV” (“April”) over “1917”), month and year of production. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.28682” over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.28682, was produced in April 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, May 1917, Nr.32699, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.32699, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in May 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Back side of left rear bridge arm marked in white with “V” (“May”) over “1917”), month and year of production. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.32699” over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.32699, was produced in May 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, 1917, Nr.35404, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.35404, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.35404” over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.35404, was produced in 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, June 1917, Nr.36661, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.36661, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in June 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Back side of left rear bridge arm marked in white with “VI” (“June”) over “1917”), month and year of production. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.36661” over “Dienst Glas” (“Service Glass”) over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.36661, was produced in June 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, June 1917, Nr.37512, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.37512, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in June 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Back side of left rear bridge arm marked in white with “VI” (“June”) over “1917”), month and year of production. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.37512” over “Dienst Glas” (“Service Glass”) over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.37512, was produced in June 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, June 1917, Nr.37589, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.37589, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in June 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Back side of left rear bridge arm marked in white with “VI” (“June”) over “1917”), month and year of production. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.37589” over “Dienst Glas” (“Service Glass”) over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.37589, was produced in June 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, November 1917, Nr.42087, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.42087, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in November 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Back side of left rear bridge arm marked in white with “XI” (“November”) over “1917”), month and year of production. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.42087” over “Dienst Glas” (“Service Glass”) over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.42087, was produced in November 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, November 1917, Nr.42421, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.42421, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in November 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Back side of left rear bridge arm marked in white with “XI” (“November”) over “1917”), month and year of production. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.42421” over “Dienst Glas” (“Service Glass”) over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.42421, was produced in November 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, December 1917, Nr.43680, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.43680, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in December 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Back side of left rear bridge arm marked in white with “XII” (“December”) over “1917”), month and year of production. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.43680” over “Dienst Glas” (“Service Glass”) over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.43680, was produced in December 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, 1917, Nr.44563, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.44563, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.44563” over “Dienst Glas” (“Service Glass”) over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.44563, was produced in 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
German Empire contract
6×39 Fernglas 08, 1917, Nr.48675, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia
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German 6×39 Fernglas 08 military service binoculars, production serial number, Nr.48675, heavy construction, made of brass, dark gray painted brass Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings, manufactured in 1917 during the First World War by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia. Center rotating locking nut marked in white at the top with “Fernglas 08” over “Nr.48675” over “Dienst Glas” (“Service Glass”) over the “Carl Zeiss” / “Jena” trademark logo at the bottom. This Carl Zeiss 6×39 Fernglas 08, serial number, Nr.48675, was produced in 1917 during the First World War, within a special serial number series, separate from the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
