Binoculars Carl Zeiss Jena Turexem 6x

   In 1914, compact binoculars Carl Zeiss Turex 6x and Carl Zeiss Turexem 6x (with central focusing) appeared in the T180 Carl Zeiss Jena catalog. Structurally, these two binoculars are similar to the Turol 4x and Turolem 4x models, but they have a magnification of 6x and a lens diameter of 21 mm. Turex 6x and Turexem 6x are positioned in the catalog as lightweight and compact binoculars for travel and tourism.
   However, there is information that the first instances of Turex 6x appeared in 1913. This model was produced until about the mid-20s. Unlike Turol 4x, Turex 6x has no military counterpart.
   Turex 6x, Turexem 6x (like Turol 4x) had the same distance between the lenses and the eyepieces (base), which affected the binocular’s plasticity negatively. It was a rather unusual design solution for Carl Zeiss binoculars of that time, since there even was a condition of Carl Zeiss patent in the period from 1896 to 1908, according to which other manufacturers of prismatic binoculars were required to produce their models with the same distance between the lenses and the eyepieces. This design decision may have been dictated by the desire to reduce the size and weight of these devices.
   To date, there are several modifications of Turexem 6x binoculars with minor design differences:
   - with rounded lens caps and grooves to minimize flare. The body of the eyepieces has a diagonal knurling. The upper disc of the center pivot has a "recessed" design.
   - with rounded lens caps and no grooves to minimize flare. The shape of the eyecups and the design of the upper disk of the central hinge have changed. The body of the eyepieces has a longitudinal knurling https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-turexem-6x21.html .
   This device belongs to a rare, transitional version of the design (see photo): lens caps have grooves to minimize stray light (1st version), however, the shape of the eyecups, the design of the upper disk of the central hinge and the longitudinal knurling on the eyepieces correspond to the second version. The binoculars have eyepieces with a base diameter of 20.6 mm and a top prism cover width of 38.5 mm (see photo). The diameter of the front lens of the eyepieces is 10.5 mm. Eyepieces have a diopter scale, longitudinal knurling. The binocular body height (including the top prism cover) is 56 mm, without the lens body – 39.5 mm. Prism covers are pressed against the body of the binoculars by objective covers and "skirts" at the base of the eyepieces. On the side, the prism covers are attached to the body with a single screw.
   Inscriptions on the left shoulder of the central focus "Carl Zeiss Jenna". On the right shoulder - "Turexem 1057910 6x". The inscription is printed in block letters against the background of a schematic image of a Carl Zeiss Tessar photographic lens.   
   On the upper disk of the central hinge, next to the scale of interpupillary distances, there is an inscription “C.LEIDIG OPTIKER NURNBERG” (see photo): the binoculars were sold in the store of the oldest German company, which was founded in 1853 in Nurberg by optician Georg Friedrich Leidig. The company exists in our time, has its own website and store in Nurberg (see photo).

   The case for this binoculars has features typical for that period (see Hans T.Seeger. Zeiss Handfernlaser 1919-1946, Modelle-Merkmale-Mythos, p.607-627): characteristic rivets, embossed "Carl Zeiss Jenna" logo. The peculiarity of the wardrobe trunk is the presence of large "military" loops for attaching the wardrobe trunk to a belt. Probably, this feature can be considered not as a sign of the military use of binoculars, but as a "fashion" for military attributes at that period of German history (the end of the First World War - see photo).
   The binoculars have serial number "1057910" and were manufactured in 1919.
   Binoculars Turex 6x with split focus https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-turex-6x21.html