Magnification: 6x
Aperture (objective diameter): 30 mm
Field of view: 8.4°
Exit pupil diameter: 5 mm
Visible field of view (eyepiece FOV): 50°
The closest focusing distance: 3.8 m
Width: 16.8 cm
Height: 11.8 cm
Weight: 650 g
Production date: 1912.
Binoculars Carl Zeiss Jena Silvamar 6x (2)
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)
Silvamar is the first binocular model having 30 mm lenses. The device turned out to be very successful, characterized by high aperture, plasticity and wide field of view, and therefore it became the “champion” in terms of production time: Silvamar was produced from 1907 up to 1969 with various changes. It is a “civilian” model; similar military versions are marked as D.F.6x30 and Marineglas 6x(30).
The “civilian” application of this model is proved by the central hinge fixture’s (clamp’s) small diameter (see photo), which has a hole for a knob (included to binoculars delivery kit), with the help of which the hinge could have been finally fixed depending on the observer’s interpupillary distance. The interpupillary distances scale is indicated on the upper hinge disk.
This rare binocular’s specimen has the short lens frame design of the “double-ring” type. This version of the device was produced for a short period of time – starting from 1910/11 and up to 1913.
This device has the eyepieces with base diameter equal to 24.5 mm and the upper prismatic cover width equal to 52 mm (see photo). The eyepieces have a diopter scale and the transverse knurling. The binocular’s body height (including the upper prism cover and the lens frame) is equal to 77.5 mm.
There are inscriptions “Carl Zeiss Jenna” on the left prism cover. There is also an inscription “Silvamar 271182 6x” on the right prism cover. The inscription is made in block letters with the help of silver alloy on the background of Carl Zeiss Tessar photo lens schematic image. The brass prism covers are attached to the binocular’s body with the help of three screws.
The binocular’s coffer is an interesting one. According to information from Hans T.Seeger. Zeiss Handfernlaser 1919-1946, Modelle-Merkmale-Mythos book (pp. 633-634) it has the design features typical for “civilian” coffers, manufactured not earlier than 1913: no carrying loop on the coffer’s top cover, the shoulder strap guides are not sewn, but rather fastened with the help of the rivets, the coffer’s top cover is attached to the body with the help of a metal bracket, there are slots on the shoulder strap for attaching to metal “buttons” under the guides (see photo). In addition, there is an embossment “Carl Zeiss Jena Made in Germany” on the coffer. At the same time, the binocular was produced as a small 200 pieces batch at the beginning of 1912 and it has the serial number “271182”. There are several versions for explaining this “discrepancy” in dates: they started to produce coffers of this type not in 1913, but earlier, in 1912, or the coffer belongs to a “later” “Carl Zeiss” binocular model.
The military analogs of a binocular – the Marineglas and the D.F.6x30.
The previous version of this model with a long double-ring design of the lenses and a short body.
The late Silvamar 6x(30) binocular versions with other designs of lens frames, eyepieces and binocular bodies.
The binocular model with central focusing Silvarem 6x was released in 1909.
Silvamar is the first binocular model having 30 mm lenses. The device turned out to be very successful, characterized by high aperture, plasticity and wide field of view, and therefore it became the “champion” in terms of production time: Silvamar was produced from 1907 up to 1969 with various changes. It is a “civilian” model; similar military versions are marked as D.F.6x30 and Marineglas 6x(30).
The “civilian” application of this model is proved by the central hinge fixture’s (clamp’s) small diameter (see photo), which has a hole for a knob (included to binoculars delivery kit), with the help of which the hinge could have been finally fixed depending on the observer’s interpupillary distance. The interpupillary distances scale is indicated on the upper hinge disk.
This rare binocular’s specimen has the short lens frame design of the “double-ring” type. This version of the device was produced for a short period of time – starting from 1910/11 and up to 1913.
This device has the eyepieces with base diameter equal to 24.5 mm and the upper prismatic cover width equal to 52 mm (see photo). The eyepieces have a diopter scale and the transverse knurling. The binocular’s body height (including the upper prism cover and the lens frame) is equal to 77.5 mm.
There are inscriptions “Carl Zeiss Jenna” on the left prism cover. There is also an inscription “Silvamar 271182 6x” on the right prism cover. The inscription is made in block letters with the help of silver alloy on the background of Carl Zeiss Tessar photo lens schematic image. The brass prism covers are attached to the binocular’s body with the help of three screws.
The binocular’s coffer is an interesting one. According to information from Hans T.Seeger. Zeiss Handfernlaser 1919-1946, Modelle-Merkmale-Mythos book (pp. 633-634) it has the design features typical for “civilian” coffers, manufactured not earlier than 1913: no carrying loop on the coffer’s top cover, the shoulder strap guides are not sewn, but rather fastened with the help of the rivets, the coffer’s top cover is attached to the body with the help of a metal bracket, there are slots on the shoulder strap for attaching to metal “buttons” under the guides (see photo). In addition, there is an embossment “Carl Zeiss Jena Made in Germany” on the coffer. At the same time, the binocular was produced as a small 200 pieces batch at the beginning of 1912 and it has the serial number “271182”. There are several versions for explaining this “discrepancy” in dates: they started to produce coffers of this type not in 1913, but earlier, in 1912, or the coffer belongs to a “later” “Carl Zeiss” binocular model.
The military analogs of a binocular – the Marineglas and the D.F.6x30.
The previous version of this model with a long double-ring design of the lenses and a short body.
The late Silvamar 6x(30) binocular versions with other designs of lens frames, eyepieces and binocular bodies.
The binocular model with central focusing Silvarem 6x was released in 1909.
