Emil Busch Rathenow serial numbers 1910-1920

[popo_fireman]

Gentlemen,

I did annoying research work...Scrutinized everything on the internet

So now you can also date other Busch binoculars based on the serial numbers. The serial numbers normally increase evenly regardless wich modell.


If anyone could add some more?


Greetings,
popo_fireman

[Sgt Bilko]

Nice job! This is a donated binocular - a lovely little Busch Stellux Nr 78641 that would appear too small for military use. But it's been given the WW1 "S1" (high grade prismatic binoculars) designation so they obviously rated it highly. From your table - it dates to 1916....

[Mikedenmark]

This is an amazing job you have done.
I like to ask: Those dated pre 1914 and post 1918, are they also with german military date markings ???

I also just checked a list I have here, of Busch binoculars sold here in Copenhagen.
The list is dated, over a span of 20 years, but, unfortunately, without the serial numbers. So, presently, I cannot add much to your list.
I have a few dated serial numbers here somewhere. I will get back to you asap.

[Mikedenmark]

63857 I.16
23152 III.12.
48217 IV.15
36824 X.14
118633 VI.17
112211 IV ?


just found these on ebay.

[Wpgbinocular]

Thank you very much popo_fireman. Your document is well-researched and of great interest to me. I have created a small Busch Terlux database which may be of interest and is attached.

But I am not sure it is correct that, "you can also date other Busch binoculars based on the serial numbers. The serial numbers normally increase evenly regardless wich modell" because in the Terlux listing binoculars #'s 87439 and 88899 appear with good evidence to have been made circa 1911 - 1914 whereas Fernglas 08 serial numbers in this range appear to have been made in 1916.

[Sgt Bilko]

I wondered too - my Busch Stellux surely couldn't have been donated to the British WW1 war effort if it was only made in 1916.

Perhaps, like Hensoldt, they used differing serial ranges for different models?

[Mikedenmark]

I believe the 08 binoculars were all made in seperate serial number ranges. I also believe each company had their own serial sequence.
That would make any quality issues easy to deal with. A makers name and a serial number would, combined, always be unique.

To date the ordinary binoculars, one should find the dated prismatic models and use their datings to pinpoint serial numbers in 1914 and 1918.
I have read somewhere that civilian production was almost completely forbidden at least 1915-1918.

( In 1914 everybody was like: March to Paris, charge the french an insane amount for war reparation, and we will all be home for christmas )

[Marko455]

From Mikedenmark’s list, I have the 24x set 147824. A bit off topic,but had them cleaned by Cory Suddarth and the optics are surprisingly good for the vintage and power.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sgt Bilko]

Nice - made just after the war?

[Mikedenmark]

Not my list.
The honor goes to Wpgbinoculars