Magnification: 6x
Aperture (objective diameter): 18 mm
Field of view: 6.2°
Visible field of view (eyepiece FOV): 41°
The closest focusing distance: 3.1 m
Width: 14.4 cm
Height: 10 cm
Weight: 430 g
Production date: 1902-1903 (?).
Binoculars Carl Zeiss Jena Feldstecher Vergr.=6 (1)
On July 9, 1893, Carl Zeiss patented prismatic binoculars. Civilian models of devices were produced from 1894 to 1907 with 4x, 6x, and 8x magnification, having flat prism covers and a hinge, which was attached to binoculars’ halves with the help of screws. Military models of binoculars appeared in catalogs in August 1895 – those were O.D.F.95 (Offiziers-Doppelfernrohr 95) with 6x magnification and D.F.95 (Doppelfernrohr 95) with 8x magnification. However, there are suggestions that first prototypes of these binoculars were produced before 1893, as they had to undergo a long military acceptance (Artillerie Prüfungs kommission - APK). In 1902 these two binoculars were replaced by D.F.6x and D.F.8x, which acquired some modifications.
The binoculars we are looking at today combine "civilian" and military features. The military features are:
- a large clamping screw for adjusting the interpupillary distance;
- a flat upper disc of the hinge. However, this disk differs from those used on military binoculars of that time (O.D.F.95 (D.F.6x) and D.F.95 (D.F.8x) - it has two holes and no notches.
But the marking of the binoculars is "civilian", but not ordinary. The inscriptions on the left prism cover "Karl Zeiss, Jenna. D.R.P." - through the letter "K", although there should be the letter "C". D.R.P. is an abbreviation of Deutsches Reichs Patent. On the right prism cover - "Feldstecher. Vergr. 6x" - "Binoculars. Magnification = 6". The inscription is inlaid with silver alloy.
The binoculars have eyepieces of the "3/3" design (see Hans T.Seeger. Zeiss-Feldstecher, Handfernglaser von 1894-1919, Modelle-Merkmale-Mythos, p.116) with a base diameter of 20.3 mm (like the D.F.6x - Feldstecher. Vergr. = 6 binoculars of that time). But the upper prism cover is 40 mm wide (like the older O.D.F.95 - Feldstecher 6 Fach models). This is another mystery.
The frame hinge of the binoculars is attached to its halves with 5 screws (earlier models were attached with 4 screws) on each side. The upper and lower prism covers are made of brass (earlier versions could be made of aluminum), the device has long "ears" for a neck strap, which are attached to the binoculars with 2 screws (early models had shorter "ears" that were attached with one screw). Serial number "4241": it can be assumed that the binoculars were made around 1902-1903.
At the same time, the coffer for this binocular has "civilian" features typical of that period (see Hans T.Seeger. Zeiss Handfernlaser 1919-1946, Modelle-Merkmale-Mythos, pp.607-627): a carrying handle on the top cover, fastening of the top cover to the case body, an internal compartment for a knob for fixing the interpupillary distance (see photo). This confuses the situation even more.
The device does not look like a fake. Considering the design features of this interesting binocular (see above), it can be assumed that it was originally a military device of the D.F.6x type, which was repaired and "restamped" with a "civilian" stamp in factory conditions in the period after the First World War. After all, according to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany at that time could not have or produce military devices (including optics).
The binoculars we are looking at today combine "civilian" and military features. The military features are:
- a large clamping screw for adjusting the interpupillary distance;
- a flat upper disc of the hinge. However, this disk differs from those used on military binoculars of that time (O.D.F.95 (D.F.6x) and D.F.95 (D.F.8x) - it has two holes and no notches.
But the marking of the binoculars is "civilian", but not ordinary. The inscriptions on the left prism cover "Karl Zeiss, Jenna. D.R.P." - through the letter "K", although there should be the letter "C". D.R.P. is an abbreviation of Deutsches Reichs Patent. On the right prism cover - "Feldstecher. Vergr. 6x" - "Binoculars. Magnification = 6". The inscription is inlaid with silver alloy.
The binoculars have eyepieces of the "3/3" design (see Hans T.Seeger. Zeiss-Feldstecher, Handfernglaser von 1894-1919, Modelle-Merkmale-Mythos, p.116) with a base diameter of 20.3 mm (like the D.F.6x - Feldstecher. Vergr. = 6 binoculars of that time). But the upper prism cover is 40 mm wide (like the older O.D.F.95 - Feldstecher 6 Fach models). This is another mystery.
The frame hinge of the binoculars is attached to its halves with 5 screws (earlier models were attached with 4 screws) on each side. The upper and lower prism covers are made of brass (earlier versions could be made of aluminum), the device has long "ears" for a neck strap, which are attached to the binoculars with 2 screws (early models had shorter "ears" that were attached with one screw). Serial number "4241": it can be assumed that the binoculars were made around 1902-1903.
At the same time, the coffer for this binocular has "civilian" features typical of that period (see Hans T.Seeger. Zeiss Handfernlaser 1919-1946, Modelle-Merkmale-Mythos, pp.607-627): a carrying handle on the top cover, fastening of the top cover to the case body, an internal compartment for a knob for fixing the interpupillary distance (see photo). This confuses the situation even more.
The device does not look like a fake. Considering the design features of this interesting binocular (see above), it can be assumed that it was originally a military device of the D.F.6x type, which was repaired and "restamped" with a "civilian" stamp in factory conditions in the period after the First World War. After all, according to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany at that time could not have or produce military devices (including optics).
