Binoculars Carl Zeiss Jena Telexem 6x

   Binoculars with central focusing appeared on the market in the middle of the 19th century. Carl Zeiss engineers were not in a hurry with such devices’ production, since they considered them less reliable and protected from dust and dirt. First prototypes of these binoculars were produced in Jena back in 1907, but only in 1909/1910 Carl Zeiss was forced to begin mass production of the devices of such design under the competitors’ pressure and because of the demand. First models of central-focus binoculars appeared in T136 catalog in 1910–those were Teletur 6x15, Telexem 6x21, Telactem 8x24 and Silvarem 6x30. Subsequently, all civilian Carl Zeiss binoculars with central focusing had an “...em” ending in their designations.
   The first Telexem models’ objective diameter was equal to 21 mm; since 1911/12 – it was 24 mm, and since 1913/14 the binoculars’ field of view was increased from 6.8° to 8.5°.
   The binocular “civilian” use is proved by central focusing mechanism (military models were never produced with it) and the central hinge clamp’s (fastener’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. There is an interpupillary distance scale on the upper hinge disc. The diopter scale is plotted on the central focusing flywheel (the first models did not have it). The right eyepiece has its own focusing mechanism with a diopter scale.
   This device belongs to later version (with an objective equal to 24 mm), having rounded objective covers. The eyepieces grooves (knurling) are now located along the binoculars’ optical axis. The upper prism cover width is equal to45.5 mm; the binoculars’ height from the lens frames’ lower cut to the upper prism cover is equal to 69 mm. The prism covers are attached to the housing with the help of three screws. The eyepieces’ base diameter is equal to 20.5 mm.

   There are inscriptions “Carl Zeiss Jena” on the left prism cover. There is also an inscription “Telexem 373993 6x” on the right prism cover. The inscription is encrusted in block letters with the help of silver alloy against the background of Carl Zeiss Tessar photo lens schematic image.
   The binocular’s coffer is in poor condition, so it is difficult to say whether it belongs to this device.
   The binocular’s serial number is 373993 and it was released as a 100 pieces batch in 1914.
   Late version of this binocular model http://binocollection.com/catalog/binocular-carl-zeiss-jena-telexem-6x24.html
   Around 1935 Telexem was replaced by the new model – namely, Sportur.