Carl Zeiss case - 1936

[Michael Downey]

My knowledge of pre-war German military binos is pretty close to zero. I was wondering whether fellow forum members could help me to identify which binos the the case below was intended to enclose. The case is the same size as other war-time 7 x 50 cases that I have. I assume the case is Kriegsmarine issue, but I have no idea whether WaA 202 stamps were used on pre-war Kriegs cases. I do know that WaA 202 stamps were commonly used on late-war Kriegs cases.



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[Michael Downey]

Here are the markings on the case:




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[Sgt Bilko]

Hi Michael - here's a handy list of examples. I reckon your's is Heer - WaA202 was the Zeiss WaA inspector's stamp;

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/attach...-waffenamt.jpg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zeiss-Milita...p2047675.l2557

[Michael Downey]

Hi Michael - here's a handy list of examples. I reckon your's is Heer - WaA202 was the Zeiss WaA inspector's stamp;

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/attach...-waffenamt.jpg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zeiss-Milita...p2047675.l2557

Many thanks for your comments Sgt Bilko. I initially thought that the black leather seem to indicate that the case might have been Kreigsmarine issue, but I now see that Zeiss army 6 x 30 bino cases were also issued with black leather in 1936.



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[MAUSER99]

Some of these early 6x30 cases have a large I embossed on the lid.

Was always told that stood for Infantry ?? I noticed this case doesn't have one ?
Anyone else Know the meaning of the large I on the lid ??

[Sgt Bilko]

I think it signifies type (or class) I Dienstglas as opposed to type (or class) II (using Roman numerals).

Last year I was lucky to find a late 1920's black leather case marked II on top - it fits the substitute ex Great War binos perfectly (8x25 etc) but is a little tight for 6x30 binoculars.

[Mikedenmark]

The issue with the I and II was mentioned in a thread somewhere, here, or on another site.

As Bilko say, most likely, they denote a classification of binoculars.
I probably for independent ocular adjustment
and
II also probably, for center focused binoculars.

II is rare.

[Sgt Bilko]

The issue with the I and II was mentioned in a thread


http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/Foru...d.php?t=772876

[Mikedenmark]

Yep. That is what I recalled.
Especially that Wilddieb seemed to know, but felt he would, or could, not share the info.
His choice. If I find anything solid regarding the I and the II, I will share it here. I do plan to write a book, but it will not be about I and/or II.

[Sgt Bilko]

As I said in the previous thread;

I think I've solved it - the "I" marked cases are for 6x30 Dienstglas and the "II" marked cases are for the various "Ersatz fur 6x30 Dienstglas" that were officially issued ie DF 8x24, 8x25, 8x26 and 8x27, and shown in the 1927 regulations.

All my WW1 era DF 8x24, 8x25, 8x26 and 8x27 fit the smaller "II" marked case perfectly. As time went on, there'd be less need to issue cases for the "Ersatz fur 6x30 Dienstglas and the 6x30, issued in huge numbers, would no longer require the case to be marked "I" - as that was all that was being issued in 6x (or "Ersatz fur 6x30") format.

And as wilddieb mentioned;

The right regulation is from 1940.

So - on the basis of the binoculars and cases themselves - and wilddieb's regulation from 1940 - I think I know all I need to. But i may still buy your book Michael!

[Mikedenmark]

The size issue makes your asumption regarding the I and the II easy to accept.

The II cases must have been specially ordered, without binoculars, for older bino´s allready in stock. That would be 1933-356. Later, as you say, the 6x30 came in large numbers. Making a II case an interim measure.
Must have been after the new draft laws, which resulted in a lot of soldiers in need of binoculars. But before funding for rearmament became available.
I read somewhere, maybe Seeger, that in 1939, the german army received 5800 6x30. Every month. So, few needed an old 6x24.

Maybe they were reissued to the Volksturm in 1945?

My book is not about to go into print. Most of the material is here. But from that pile, to a book, is a long walk.

[Sgt Bilko]

Sounds like we're singing off the same hymn sheet but the dates may be a little earlier than 1933. The case I have is dated 1928 and the various "Ersatz fur 6x30 Dienstglas" that were officially issued ie DF 8x24, 8x25, 8x26 and 8x27, are shown in the 1927 regulations.

As to your book - maybe you need a ghostwriter like the celebrities have.

[Mikedenmark]

I´ll hire Hunter S Thompson
Now THAT would be a ghost writer.... But he may miss the finer intricacies of Bino´s. And possibly, his danish would need a brush up. Being dead sort of leave you out of the loop.
Still, I should get going. If for no other reason, then to get the piles out of here.