Binoculars Carl Zeiss Jena D.F.95 n/A (1)

   In 1907, Carl Zeiss radically changed the framework and the design of his binoculars, replacing "civilian" models Feldstecher 6 Fach by Telex, Feldstecher 8 Fach by Telact, Jagdglas by Silvamar and Feldstecher 12 Fach by Telefort. The new devices’ detailed characteristics were published in the 74-th volume of Carl Zeiss catalog in August 1907. The optical characteristics were significantly improved in new devices (the field of view and the objective diameter were increased, optical aberrations were decreased), and the devices’ design was also changed: the central hinge and the “lugs” for a neck strap were not attached to binocular with the help of screws any more, they became integral with it instead, an eccentric objective alignment system appeared and its frame design was also changed, the prism covers spanned the binoculars’ carcass, and they were lubricated with a special compound at the joint points in order to improve impermeability. Moreover, the prisms inside the binoculars were no longer pressed by prism covers – they were fixed with the help of special flat springs instead. It helped increasing the device’s reliability greatly. Actually, the binoculars have survived in such appearance up to present days (see Hans T.Seeger. Zeiss-Feldstecher, Handfernglaser von 1894-1919, Modelle-Merkmale-Mythos, pp.399-414)
   Earlier, around the end of 1906, the first military versions of D.F.8x binoculars appeared in the new design (the old version can be checked by the following link https://binocollection.com/catalog/-binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-df8x.html). Those were analogues of the “civilian” Telact 8x model (https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-telact-8x.html).
    Later, in 1908-1909, the D.F.8x “twin” appeared (in the Telact design) – it was the D.F.95 n/A military model. It’s a direct descendant of the military device D.F.95 https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-df951.html. “n/A - neue Art” - probably means the “new artillery”.
   The binocular has the goniometric grid (see photo), which differs from the grid used in a similar device D.F.8x https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-df8x-3.html
   Apart from these two differences (the marking and the grid type), this device doesn’t differ from the D.F.8x binocular https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-df8x-1.html, however the D.F.95 n/A was produced in much smaller quantities. Accordingly, like the D.F.8x was produced in two different design versions (the Telact and the Turact), the D.F.95 n/A was also produced in the Turact design starting from 1912-1913 https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-turact-8x.html. There is an assumption that the D.F.95 n/A binocular was produced for the field artillery exclusively.
   The binocular we are considering is the D.F.95 n/A model in the Turact design. It has 8x magnification and 24mm lenses. The binocular’s “military” application is also proved by the large diameter of the central hinge clamp (lock) (see photo). The interpupillary distances scale is indicated on the upper hinge disk.
   So far, there are two versions of the D.F.95 n/A binocular in the Turact 8x design: with rounded objective covers and with the grooves on the objective covers intended to minimize stray light and without them (since about the end of 1913). There may be early versions with the double-ring type of lens design, but there is no information about them so far.
   This rare device belongs to the first version (with rounded objective covers and with the grooves on them) and its eyepieces’ base diameter is equal to 20.5 mm and the upper prismatic cover width is equal to 46 mm (see photo). The eyepieces have a diopter scale and the diagonal knurling. The binocular’s body height (without the lens frame) is equal to 52 mm.
   There are inscriptions “Carl Zeiss Jenna” on the left prism cover. There is also an inscription “D.F.95 n/A 2102” and “K.B. Dienst” on the right prism cover. The latter inscription means that the binocular was produced for the Bavarian field artillery. According to the order of Bavaria Ministry of War dated May 07, 1910, the “K.B. Dienst” marking should have been additionally placed on the right upper cover of the field artillery binoculars’ prisms. The markings are made on the background of Carl Zeiss Tessar photo lens schematic image.
  The device was manufactured in 1914. The binocular’s serial number “375329” is located on the side surface of the right upper prism cover and it falls within the range of numbers “375301-375600”, belonging to the D.F.8x binocular. It is still unknown what the number “2102” means.
   The Carl Zeiss D.F.95 n/A binocular in the Telact 8x design can be seen here