10x50 "Panzer" Binoculars - how were they used?

[harrison987]

Sort of an odd question...buuuuuuuuuuut...

I constantly see the bmj 10x50 and 7x56 being advertised as "Panzer" optics...

is there any truth to that?

With so many variations (6x30, 7x50, 10x50) of the standard binocular style...were these made for vehicle crews due to how thin they were?

Just curious what the actual purpose was...

Thoughts?

Mike

[Sgt Bilko]

I think the Hensoldt / bmj roof prism "Panzer" story came about due to a few photos showing them around the neck of panzer commanders and your point about the slim design being ideal for the cupola hatch.

There's also photos of commanders with various other binos - and pictures of infantry officers with Hensoldt / bmj roof prism binoculars - so who knows?

http://delivery.gettyimages.com/xr/5...5A1E4F32AD3138

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Panzerturm.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...nzersoldat.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...eroffizier.jpg

[Michael Downey]

I cannot comment in detail concerning the service use to which the Hensoldt 10 x 50 binos were put.

But I do have fairly extensive database of Hensoldt pre-war and WWII 10 x 50 and 7 x 56 roof prism binos.

I attach a thumbnail of my 10 x 50 record which I believe is pretty revealing.

1. Pre-war and early war 10 x 50 binos were only issued to the Police. They were marked "Pol. Dienstglas"

2. Starting sometime in 1942 the 10 x 50 (and 7 x 56) binos were first issued as Dienstglas to the German armed forces. How do I arrive at the 1942 date? Pretty simple actually as the bmj maker code was only introduced in 1941 and the O grease symbol was only introduced sometime in 1942. I have no record of a 10 x 50 (or 7 x 56) bino ever being issued without a maker code or with the earlier KF grease mark.

That means that between 1939 - 1942 the 10 x 50 (and 7 x 56) binos could not have ever been officially issued to Panzer crews.




.

[AndyC]

The Hensoldt design could be popular becasue their slim design.
Easier to get up and down in the turret maybe?




Andy

[Giant53]

Vintage photos testify that the binoculars Dienstglas by Hensoldt "BMJ" have also been used on Italian and German uboots. It was a versatile, lightweight and convenient to use binoculars (check the last 3 pictures in the link below).

http://www.historicacollectibles.com...zer-circa-1939

[Sgt Bilko]

Very interesting - thanks for that. Over the years I've seen a few of these roof prism glasses with KM emblems on the objective rings.

[behblc]

The naval usage shown does not appear to be by U Boat ( German) crew, two look like they might be Soviet the other ? French or Italian ?

[Giant53]

The naval usage shown does not appear to be by U Boat ( German) crew, two look like they might be Soviet the other ? French or Italian ?

Dear behblc, in the last two photos you can see the Italian Submarine: Ruggero Settimo (as described in the description and also by the forum of Betasom), in the third last photo you can see a "frame" of a German submarine.

[behblc]

Yes , see that description now , my Italian is to say the least " not good".
The third photo I would keep an open mind on that photo being a German submarine, the chaps in the background , uniforms do not look German and the tower top, the right sleeve rank marking (?) ....I am not fully convinced to be honest. ( Just my own thoughts, might well be wrong)

[behblc]

The photo is not WW2 , it is "Kasierlische Marine". Learned something today I am happy to say.
I recall seeing a set on eBay a few years back the seller said " U Boat" , he claimed "at the end of the war they would have been glad of anything" , wishful thinking on his part.
I don't think you will find a set of this type on a WW2 U Boat.

[Mikedenmark]

try this for a translation.
https://translate.google.com/transla...-text=&act=url

I think one photo is german WWI, seeing the peaked cap designs.

The other two are most likely italian. On one, the officer is not wearing a german navy cap, on the other a tricolore flag with a crest in the center field is seen.
My guess would be italian.

Italian Navy Flag:
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/i/it~nav.gif

Another italian submarine turret.
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e9/22/07/e...submarines.jpg

[Zeissure]

I found a video of Italian WW2 U-Boot, with German binoculars equipment (Beh, Leitz 7x50).
Who knows what other interesting videos can be found on youtube and not. Links below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF8m61_ernk

[behblc]

Have a photo in the old Prunnells History of WW2 Published by IWN , Italian U Boat crew using leitz 7x50 tuna can types.
Zeiss S - that is a very good film , how the other submariners lived.

[Sgt Bilko]

I found a video of Italian WW2 U-Boot, with German binoculars equipment

Thanks for that - I'll enjoy it later.


Italian U Boat crew using leitz 7x50 tuna can types.

I had a WW2 book with an image like this on the back. Years later I discovered another book with the same picture - now a German U Boat. I don't have either now but, if I remember rightly, the watchkeepers had knitted hats on...