BACKGROUND: The German army used a wide variety of optical enhancement items with the 6 x 30 power, (6 power magnification with a 30mm diameter objective lens), binoculars being the standard issue optics utilized by all branches of service. Although the 6 x 30 power binoculars were the standard issue, specialized personnel such as Artillery observers, Reconnaissance personnel, Searchlight personnel, etc., required stronger optics and assorted larger power binoculars were issued to these specialized personnel on a limited basis. When issued the binoculars came equipped with assorted accessories which included the binocular carrying case.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Large, tooled alloy construction, 10 x 50, power, (10 power magnification with a 50mm diameter objective lens), binoculars with black bakelite fittings. The long lens bodies retain 90% of their original black painted finish with a couple of small spots of wear revealing the base alloy. The binoculars have molded, black bakelite eye sockets which are fully intact and the focus adjustment still functions. The optics are fairly clean and clear with light fungal spotting. The central lens joining bracket with swivel width adjustment is intact and still functions. The bottom edges of the central lens joining bracket are well marked with the manufactures impressed name and serial number to one side, "Hensoldt-Wetzlar 23543 ", and the power designation to the other side, "10 X 50", along with the trade name, "Dialyt" which refers to the patent for the roof prism optics owned by the M. Hensoldt & Söhne firm that permitted effective usage in low light. The side of each of the binocular lens bodies has a raised, cut-out bar to secure the carrying strap. The binoculars come complete with a roughly, 36" long, 3 /8" wide blackened leather carrying strap. Each end of the strap has dual cut-out stud eyelets with corresponding alloy retaining studs. The carrying case is well marked with an impressed waffen-amt and the partially illegible manufacturers three letter code and date with the date visible as, "41". The strap shows light chafe wear and some minor surface cracking. The binoculars come housed in their original, tall, kidney shaped, molded, simulated, grained blackened leather (Presstoff), construction carrying case with sheet metal fittings. The roughly, 9 1/4" tall, 5 3/4" wide, 2 3/4" thick, case features a fold back top lid with a wide, rivetted on, vertical, leather hinge/belt loop to the reverse and a vertical spring loaded magnetic sheet metal closure clip with an khaki web pull tab to the obverse. The obverse closure clip attaches to a steel stud situated on the front body of the case. The closure clip is well marked with impressed manufacturers code and date that appears to be, "frn 44", indicating the clip was manufactured by Rudolf Lang Federn-Draht und Metallwarenfabrik of Brandenburg/Havel in 1944. The sides of the case each have a rivetted on, horizontal leather loop and an extended steel stud for securing the shoulder carrying strap. The carrying strap is absent. The interior of the top lid has an inset wooden panel rivetted in place with two small circular recess with protective black wool inserts for extra lenses and a rivetted on blackened leather retaining strap with a single, sheet metal, "Stocko" snap closure. The extra lenses are absent. The case is in overall good condition with minor chafe wear, light to moderate surface spotting to the steel fittings and the leather hinge/belt loop shows light to moderate surface cracking.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $585.00