Kingdom of Italy Contract
Carl Zeiss, Jena, Thuringia, Germany, 1929-1942
In the Swiss Confederation armed forces, 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 was the 6×30.
The number “6” identifies the magnification power (in this case, “6” indicates that objects appear six times closer than their actual distance).
The number “30” identifies the diameter in millimeters of the front (objective) lenses — the light gathering lenses — in this case 30 millimeters in diameter.
“Vulkanite” schwarzes Kunstleder (black synthetic leather) Körperbedeckung (body covering)
In Germany in the 1930s, an early type of black plastic synthetic leather called “Vulkanite” was used as the body covering of military and commercial Dienstgläser (service glasses) manufactured before World War II.
This “Vulkanite” schwarzes Kunstleder (black synthetic leather) Körperbedeckung (body covering) was the most common Dienstglas body covering used by the German armed forces (and also by most of the other armed forces of Europe) during the early years of the Second World War.
TM 30-506, WAR DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL MANUAL, GERMAN-ENGLISH MILITARY DICTIONARY, WAR DEPARTMENT, 20 MAY I944
The TM 30-506 manual describes “Vulkanite” schwarzes Kunstleder (black synthetic leather) Körperbedeckung (body covering) as “Kunstleder n” artificial leather.
Schwarz „Reis“ Raulack (black “rice” rough lacquer) Körperbedeckung (body covering)
Early in the Second World War, a black Rauhlack (rough lacquer) body covering called schwarz „Reis“ Körperbedeckung (black “rice” body covering) also became a common Dienstglas body finish.
This new Dienstglas body covering began to replace the black “Vulkanite” (synthetic, leather-like, early plastic) body covering material on the housings of German field glasses.
The particular consistency of this schwarz „Reis“ (black “rice”) Rauhlack (rough lacquer) Körperbedeckung (body covering) was achieved by mixing crushed rice or finely granulated cork meal with black lacquer paint.
This schwarz „Reis“ Rauhlack Körperbedeckung (black “rice” rough lacquer body covering) became the most common Dienstglas body covering as the war progressed through 1942 and 1943.
Carl Zeiss Kingdom of Italy contract
8×24 D.F.8x, 338266, March 1913, Jena, Germany
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Kingdom of Italy 8×24 military service binoculars, with Strichplatte (graduated range finding scale) in right lens, production serial number, 338266, heavy construction, made of brass, black “Vulkanite” schwarzes Kunstleder (black synthetic leather) Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings. Manufactured in 1913 by Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany for the armed forces of the Kingdom of Italy. Left prism cover marked in white with “CARL ZEISS / JENA” trademark logo. Right prism cover marked in white with “D.F. 8x” (Doppelfernrohr, Binoculars, 8x) over production serial number, 338266, within a Carl Zeiss trademark border. Right front lens cover marked in white with Regno d’Italia (Kingdom of Italy) crown over initials “E.I.” (Esercito d’Italia, Army of Italy). This Carl Zeiss 8×24 serial number, 338266, appears to be produced about March 1913, within the serial number sequence of the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
These 8×24 military service binoculars are accompanied by the original brown leather Trageriemen (carrying strap).
Carl Zeiss NEDINSCO Swiss Confederation contract
8×30 DELTRENTIS, 1931, unknown production serial number, № 2398, ‘s Gravenhage (The Hague), Netherlands
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Swiss Confederation 8×30 military service binoculars, with Strichplatte (graduated range finding scale) in right lens, unknown production serial number, light construction, made of aluminum alloy, black “Vulkanite” schwarzes Kunstleder (black synthetic leather) Körperbedeckung (body covering), aluminum alloy prism and objective covers, brass objective lens rings. Manufactured in 1931 by Carl Zeiss, NEDINSCO, ‘s Gravenhage (The Hague), Netherlands, for the armed forces of the Swiss Confederation. Left prism cover marked in white with Das Schweizerkreuz (the Swiss cross) over “1931” over “8×30” with the “NEDINSCO” / ‘s Gravenhage / “Systeem” / “CARL ZEISS / JENA” trademark logo at the lower left. Right prism cover marked in white with Swiss cross over “Armee-Modell” over “№ 2398” (Swiss Confederation armed forces property acceptance number). Right front lens cover marked in white with Swiss cross. Left front lens cover marked in white with Swiss cross. |
Kern Aarau
6×24 1934, 13560, Aarau, Swiss Confederation
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Swiss Confederation 6×24 military service binoculars, with Strichplatte (graduated range finding scale) in right lens, “№13560” production serial number, heavy construction, made of brass, black “Vulkanite” schwarzes Kunstleder (black synthetic leather) Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings. Manufactured in 1934 by Kern, Aarau, Switzerland for the armed forces of the Swiss Confederation. Left prism cover marked in white with Das Schweizerkreuz (the Swiss cross) over “1934” over “6×24” with “Kern / Aarau” at the bottom left. Right prism cover marked in white with Swiss cross over “Armee-Modell” over “№13560” production serial number. Right front lens cover marked in white with Swiss cross over “№13560” production serial number. Left front lens cover marked in white with Swiss cross. These 6×24 military service binoculars are accompanied by the original brown leather Trageriemen (carrying strap), and brown leather Aknöpflasche (button tab). |
Kern Aarau
6×24 1938, 17060, Aarau, Swiss Confederation
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Swiss Confederation 6×24 military service binoculars, with Strichplatte (graduated range finding scale) in right lens, “№17060” production serial number, heavy construction, made of brass, black “Vulkanite” schwarzes Kunstleder (black synthetic leather) Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings. Manufactured in 1938 by Kern, Aarau, Switzerland for the armed forces of the Swiss Confederation. Left prism cover marked in white with Das Schweizerkreuz (the Swiss cross) over “1938” over “6×24” with “Kern / Aarau” at the bottom left. Right prism cover marked in white with Swiss cross over “Armee-Modell” over “№17060” production serial number. Right front lens cover marked in white with Swiss cross over “№17060” production serial number. Left front lens cover marked in white with Swiss cross. Brown leather case with strap, marked on bottom with inverted vertical rectangle containing the Swiss cross over the letters “Sch” (Schweiz) armed forces property acceptance stamp, over the numbers “38” (last two digits of 1938, year of case manufacture), over “W. GERBER” over “LENGNAU.” Lengnau is a municipality in the Biel/Bienne District in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. |
Kern Aarau
6×24 1940, 23377, Aarau, Swiss Confederation
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Swiss Confederation 6×24 military service binoculars, with Strichplatte (graduated range finding scale) in right lens, “№23377” production serial number, heavy construction, made of brass, black “Vulkanite” schwarzes Kunstleder (black synthetic leather) Körperbedeckung (body covering), brass fittings. Manufactured in 1940 by Kern, Aarau, Switzerland for the armed forces of the Swiss Confederation. Left prism cover marked in white with Das Schweizerkreuz (the Swiss cross) over “1940” over “6×24” with “Kern / Aarau” at the bottom left. Right prism cover marked in white with Swiss cross over “Armee-Modell.” Right front lens cover marked in white with Swiss cross over “№23377” production serial number. Left front lens cover marked in white with Swiss cross. Brown leather case with strap, marked on bottom with vertical rectangle containing the Swiss cross over the letters “Sch” (Schweiz) armed forces property acceptance stamp, over maker’s name “F.E. KAPPELER” over “19 SATTLER 28” (1928, year of case manufacture, SATTLER, saddler, leather worker) over “PFYN” all within an oval. Pfyn is a municipality in the Frauenfeld District in the canton of Thurgau in Switzerland.” These 6×24 military service binoculars are accompanied by the original brown leather Trageriemen (carrying strap), and brown leather Okularshutz (eye piece protector) or Regenschutzdeckel (rain protection cover) or Benutzerkappe (user cap). |
Carl Zeiss Kingdom of Sweden contract
6×30 Silvamar, 1942, 217xxxx, Nr. 1115, 1942, Jena, Thuringia, Germany
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Kingdom of Sweden 6×30 military service binoculars, with reticul (graduated range finding scale) in right lens, production serial number is not visible (painted over with black paint), light construction, made of aluminum alloy, schwarz „Reis“ Rauhlack Körperbedeckung (black “rice” rough lacquer body covering), aluminum alloy fittings, unknown date of manufacture by Carl Zeiss of Jena, Thuringia, Germany for the armed forces of the Kingdom of Sweden. Left prism cover marked in white with CARL ZEISS / JENA trademark logo. Right prism cover marked in white with SILVAMAR / 6×30 logo. Left front prism cover marked in white with 6×30, over Kingdom of Sweden crown, over Nr. 1115 (Kingdom of Sweden armed forces property number), over 1942 (Kingdom of Sweden armed forces property year of acceptance). This Carl Zeiss 6×30 serial number is unknown, would likely be 217xxxx (Oct, Nov, Dec 1942), within the serial number sequence of the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
Carl Zeiss Kingdom of Sweden contract
6×30 Silvamar, 1942, 2175423, Nr. 1833, 1942, Jena, Thuringia, Germany
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Kingdom of Sweden 6×30 military service binoculars, with reticul (graduated range finding scale) in right lens, production serial number, 2175423, light construction, made of aluminum alloy, schwarz „Reis“ Rauhlack Körperbedeckung (black “rice” rough lacquer body covering), aluminum alloy fittings, manufactured in November 1942 by Carl Zeiss of Jena, Thuringia, Germany for the armed forces of the Kingdom of Sweden. Left prism cover marked in white with CARL ZEISS / JENA trademark logo. Right prism cover marked in white with SILVAMAR / 6×30 logo. Left front prism cover marked in white with 6×30, over Kingdom of Sweden crown, over Nr. 1833 (Kingdom of Sweden armed forces property number), over 1942 (Kingdom of Sweden armed forces property year of acceptance). This Carl Zeiss 6×30 serial number, 2175423, appears to be produced about November 1942, within the serial number sequence of the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
Carl Zeiss Kingdom of Sweden contract
6×30 Silvamar, 1942, 2179756, Nr. 4906, 1942, Jena, Thuringia, Germany
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Kingdom of Sweden 6×30 military service binoculars, with reticul (graduated range finding scale) in right lens, production serial number, 2179756, light construction, made of aluminum alloy, schwarz „Reis“ Rauhlack Körperbedeckung (black “rice” rough lacquer body covering), aluminum alloy fittings, manufactured in December 1942 by Carl Zeiss of Jena, Thuringia, Germany for the armed forces of the Kingdom of Sweden. Left prism cover marked in white with CARL ZEISS / JENA trademark logo. Right prism cover marked in white with SILVAMAR / 6×30 logo. Left front prism cover marked in white with 6×30, over Kingdom of Sweden crown, over Nr. 4906 (Kingdom of Sweden armed forces property number), over 1942 (Kingdom of Sweden armed forces property year of acceptance). This Carl Zeiss 6×30 serial number, 2179756, appears to be produced about December 1942, within the serial number sequence of the original Carl Zeiss production serial number series established in 1894. |
The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed on June 28, 1919 that ended the war between Germany and most of the Allied Powers. It was signed in the Palace of Versailles, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which led to the war.
The treaty required Germany to disarm, make territorial concessions, extradite alleged war criminals, agree to Kaiser Wilhelm being put on trial, recognise the independence of states whose territory had previously been part of the German Empire, and pay reparations to the Entente powers.
Military Restrictions
The treaty was comprehensive and complex in the restrictions imposed upon the post-war German armed forces, the Reichswehr. The provisions were intended to make the Reichswehr incapable of offensive action and to encourage international disarmament.
German officials conspired systematically to evade the clauses of the treaty, by failing to meet disarmament deadlines, refusing Allied officials access to military facilities, and maintaining and hiding weapons production.
The Treaty of Versailles prohibited German companies from producing war materials. The treaty did not ban German companies from producing war materials outside of Germany, so companies moved, or opened new companies, in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Sweden. In 1921, German troops were sent to Sweden to test weapons.
The Treaty of Versailles forced Carl Zeiss to relocate a significant portion of its military production to the Netherlands and Sweden. This influx of equipment and expertise brought new technologies and innovations to the country, influencing the development of Nedinsco.
The 1919 Treaty of Versailles that ended the First World War forced Carl Zeiss Jena to significantly reduce its military production in Germany. To circumvent this restriction, thousands of boxes of equipment and storage were illegally transported from Germany to the Netherlands and Sweden in 1919 and 1920.
In early 1921, the German optical manufacturing firm, Carl Zeiss of Jena, Thuringia, Germany, created a new company, Nedinsco (Nederlandse Instrumenten Compagnie), to produce cameras, binoculars, rangefinders, microscopes, periscopes, and similar optical instruments in the Netherlands.
Initially, the Netherlands Instruments Company (Nedinsco) set up its headquarters in an old disused chocolate factory in Flushing, Netherlands. Two years later, the company moved to a new location in Venlo, Netherlands, and constructed a new factory.
The architect, Hans Schlag, was commissioned for the design of the new Nedinsco factory. He and his design team built a special tower that was used to align optical instruments and to calibrate the larger measuring distances. This was done by adjusting the instruments to the many church towers in Venlo.
The tower, built in the Bauhaus style, is a beautiful national historical monument in the heart of Venlo.
As a subsidiary of Carl Zeiss Jena, Nedinsco inherited the German firm’s expertise in optical technology. This allowed Nedinsco to produce high-quality military optical equipment, including military service binoculars, telescopes, and other precision instruments.
Nedinsco’s early production focused on military optics, with exports to countries such as Switzerland and Sweden. The company’s products were well respected for their exceptional quality, and the company quickly gained a reputation as a reliable supplier of optical equipment.
Nedinsco’s was a well known subsidiary of Carl Zeiss Jena, located in Venlo, Netherlands, producing high-quality military optical equipment for export.
In the 1930s, Nedinsco grew into a strong economic company with a beneficial effect on the regional Dutch economy. During the Second World War, Nedinsco manufactured optical equipment for the German war effort.
In 1944 , an aircraft bomb, intended for the nearby city bridge over the Maas River, destroyed the factory building. Only the tower survived the bombardment.
After the war, Nedinsco was confiscated by the Dutch government and, after a period of temporary management, was sold to the Arnhem entrepreneur G. Beusker, who rebuilt the factory. In 1953, it became an independent company.
Today, Nedinsco is a supplier of systems and modules for the semiconductor industry. The company manufactures diagnostic systems, and products for the defense industry. Nedinsco is a leader in the manufacture of optical, mechanical, and electronic technologies for safety and security.