ZEISS 50X120 WWII BINOCULARS

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1 ZEISS 50X120 WWII BINOCULARS by Robin Leech, PhD, P.Biol. and Thomas Leech, MSc, P.Eng. ABSTRACT Data and photographs of the only known surviving pair of Zeiss 50X120 binoculars from World War II are presented. Information regarding the Zeiss 50X120 binoculars is scarce for several reasons, among being that the pair described here is the only known surviving pair, and that all the data (serial #, manufacturer, diopter numbers, etc.) on this pair were removed. Seeger (2002: ) considered that these Zeiss 50X120 binoculars were originally issued with triple-turret oculars, and that the triple-turret oculars were either lost or destroyed. We cannot confirm this, and we do not know what combination of ocular powers was used. We are assigning for the first time the name Zeiss 50X120 Binoculars. This name is based on the physical dimensions, on the manufacturer, on where they were supposedly stolen, and on where they were used for observations in the English Channel. INTRODUCTION During World War II, Germany made many large binoculars ones that had to have tripod support (Seeger 2002; 2015). The pair shown here with Figs 1-10 exemplify this. Some of the Zeiss 8X60 binoculars, and even some 7X50, were deck- or tripod-mounted. All of those binoculars that are 10X80 and larger have tripod support (Seeger 2002: 248). Included in the and larger are 18X80, 20X80, 27X90, 15X105 and 25X105 (Seeger 2002: 248). There are many other combinations not considered here. These were made by Zeiss, Leitz, Schneider, Busch and other companies. Some were made under contract from Zeiss to Ducati in Italy (e.g., Ducati 10X80, ref. Seeger, 2002: 350, 357) during WWII. 1

There is next to no information regarding the Zeiss 50X120 binoculars. Hans Seeger (email, 29 Sept 2015) suggested that the original binoculars may have had a triple-turret ocular system.

2 There is next to no information regarding the Zeiss 50X120 binoculars. Hans Seeger ( , 29 Sept 2015) suggested that the original binoculars may have had a triple-turret ocular system. This is also stated in Seeger (2002: 258). In fact, there is no information available other than that which will be derived from this pair. The reasons are these: 1. All data (serial #, manufacturer, diopter numbers, etc.) that were on these binoculars were removed by members of the French Resistance who confiscated this pair of binoculars from the English Channel site; 2. There is no record of a Zeiss 50X120 binocular in the Zeiss files, or one with a triple-turret ocular with 120 mm objectives. 3. There is no record for date of manufacture. 4. There is no record for the number of this particular Zeiss binocular that were made (also, this may have been the only one made!). Figures 1-10 will clarify the measurements listed below. Fig. 1. Full length top view of the Zeiss 50X120 binoculars. The two sighting notches are clearly visible next to the right prism and the right objective housing. The distance between the notches is ~82 cm (~32 in.). 2

tightens the tripod puck to the binoculars. Fig. 3.

3 Fig. 2. Full length ventral view of the Zeiss 50X120 binoculars. The puck from the tripod fits into the slot midway along the barrels, and the knob to the right tightens the tripod puck to the binoculars. Fig. 3. Top view of the huge housing of the Porro Prism Type II and the 50X oculars of the Zeiss 50X120 binoculars. The prism housing is ~34 cm (13.5 in) wide. The oculars are Wide Field Erfle. 3

4 Fig. 4. Rear view of the Zeiss 50X120 binoculars showing the huge housing for the Porro Prism Type II, and the 50X oculars. Specifications for the Zeiss 50X120 Binoculars This is the first time that the specifications for the Zeiss 50X120 binoculars are being stated. The specifications below are based on an examination and measurement of parts of this pair. Binocular Data Imperial Metric a) Weight of the binoculars only 50 lbs 22.7 kg b) Prism housing (ocular to objective) in 8.57 cm c) Prism housing width (across both) 13.5 in cm d) Porro Prism Type II e) Total length (oculars to obj. shades) in cm f) Total length w/o shades in cm g) Total distance betw. sighting notches in cm h) Tube diam. at prism end 3.0 in 7.62 cm i) Tube diam. at objective end 6.0 in cm j) Sunshade projection in cm k) Ocular diam. at eyepiece end in 4.13 cm 4

l) Eyelens diam. 1.06 in 2.69 cm m) Oculars: Wide-field Erfle 50X n) Clear aperture of air-spaced Apochromatic doublets 4.75 in 12.06 cm o) Optical surfaces are not coated. p) AoV & FoV: 1.

5 l) Eyelens diam in 2.69 cm m) Oculars: Wide-field Erfle 50X n) Clear aperture of air-spaced Apochromatic doublets 4.75 in cm o) Optical surfaces are not coated. p) AoV & FoV: 1.43 Tripod Data q) Weight of the tripod only 60 lbs 27.2 kg r) Full height of tripod, legs together 58 in cm s) Full height of with legs spread 56 in cm t) Working height of the tripod 56 in cm u) 360 degree rotary housing 7.25 in cm v) Knob under binocular tubes is to adjust the friction of aiming the binoculars up and down. Fig. 5. Front view of the Zeiss 50X120 binoculars, looking into the objective lenses. The lenses are not coated. 5

6 Fig. 6. Side view of the Zeiss 50X120 binoculars. The rear sighting notch is visible just to the right of the prism. The smaller wheel to the left controls right-left turning, and the larger wheel with the knob raises/lowers the binoculars. Control for raising/lowering the objectives is done with the small wheel on the underside of the binoculars. It is friction controlled. The controls (Figs 7, 8) and rotary housing are robust. Two 90 bubble levels (Fig. 7) are for accurate set up for the binocular platform. The tripod feet are made of steel, as are several other parts where there is high wear (e.g., hinges for the legs, bolts and nuts, and the puck that fits into the slot on the binoculars). The puck shaft appears to made of stainless steel. The tripod leg mounts, including the rotating head and control wheels are made of cast aluminum. The knobs on the control wheels are made of bakelite. The tripod legs are oak painted grey; and the 360 degree dial is bronze. 6

7 Fig. 7. The two bubble levels are obvious. The wheel shown is for raising and lowering the binoculars. Fig. 8. The 360 dial for assisting in relocating several sites being checked out one after another. 7

The two alignment sights project above the body of the binoculasr.

8 Fig. 9. View of the triangular steel tripod foot. Fig. 10. Full side view of the Zeiss 50X120 binoculars set up for use. The two alignment sights project above the body of the binoculasr. The small knob under the binocular barrels is for adjusting the friction on the puck at the top of the tripod. This helps with aiming the binoculars. 8

9 Possible History of this Pair of Binoculars The known, or suspected, history for this pair of binoculars is that they were in use on the Normandy Coast during World War II. The German soldiers using the binoculars were otherwise occupied for a few moments (coffee?, washroom?), and in that time, several members of the French Resistance removed the binoculars and tripod. How it came to be in the United States after WWII is another story. We suspect that the binoculars remained hidden long after the end of WWII, and were taken to the United States in the 1970s. The second author saw this pair for sale at a gun show in Vallejo, California, most likely in the early 1980s. At the time, he was working as an engineer at the Mare Island Naval Ship Yard. They were purchased by him for about $2,000 U.S. We (the authors) estimate that though it is possible that of this Zeiss binocular model were made, it is more likely that this is the only one that was made. The resources needed to make such a pair of binoculars, along with all the other binoculars already being made so late in WWII and in use, are staggering. Perhaps these costs in money and manpower are the reasons that many of the larger German binoculars had triple-turret oculars one pair of binoculars could serve many purposes. That is, it is more practical to make one pair of binoculars with 15X-25X-40X triple-turret oculars rather than three pairs of binoculars, each with only one ocular power. Seeger (2002: ) explained it this way: In answer to the German Army s questions regarding long range, low light optical detection, the technicians at Zeiss produced a binocular instrument with 200 mm clear aperture, see Fig. 169 and pages Since these instruments were developed late in the war, it is doubtful if any were used in the testing stage at the war s end. This is merely a speculative opinion on my part, since the instrument available to me for study seemed to be in its original unused condition and bears the serial number 3. 9

10 The number of man hours required in the manufacture of these instruments was prohibitive, and at the time it was impossible to produce them in the quantities desired. Only a very small number of the original ten unit order was completed. Allied bombings of the Zeiss, Jena, plant in March 1945 destroyed the mountings that were to be used with these binoculars and damaged one or more of the instruments being assembled. Consequently, the project was dropped and the Zeiss 25X100 was recruited as the replacement. Comparative optical testing showed that although the 200 mm instrument enjoyed a definite optical advantage over the 100 mm, when considering the overall unwieldiness of this over-1000 pound device (including mounting) and the inherent manufacturing difficulties experienced in its production, it was determined that the optical superiority of the 25X100 was not sufficient to warrant the extra time and expense needed for production. (See Binoculars for Night Seeing, Irving C. Gardner, July 24, Also, German Optical and Precision Instrument Industry Report, U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey, August 8, 1945.) From the physical data listed above, especially the weight, it is not difficult to see that the logistics of moving and using a pair of binoculars with a 200 mm objective would have created all sorts of problems not found with binoculars having the 100 mm objectives. CONCLUSIONS It is possible that this pair of Zeiss 50X120 binoculars is either the only remaining pair of several, or, it is the only binocular of this model ever made. There is no way to confirm. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Dr Han Seeger is thanked for providing information on several aspects of these unique binoculars. All photos are by the second author. Discussions with Peter Abrahams during the writing of this paper have, as usual, been very informative and useful. 10

11 REFERENCES Seeger, H.T Optisches Gerät der deutschen Wehrtechnik. [German Military Technology: The Optical Equipment.] 159 p., illust. ISBN: Seeger, H.T Militärische Ferngläser und Fernrohre in Heer, Luftwaffe Und Marine (Military Binoculars and Telescopes for Land, Air and Sea Service). 537 p., 325 figs. ISBN: Seeger, H.T Zeiss Feldstecher Handferngläser von Modelle - Merkmale Mythos. 919 p., 2379 figs plus figs E 001-E 127. ISBN: Seeger, H dated 29 September My to Seeger (same day) asked if he had any knowledge of the powers of the triplet-turret oculars. He replied, Unfortunately not. 11

U.D.F. 7 x 50 blc U-boat sight for torpedo firing

U.D.F. 7 x 50 blc U-boat sight for torpedo firing By Anna and Terry Vacani In our collection is another heavy duty binocular for U-boat. In: Militärische Ferngläser und Fernrohre in Heer, Luftwaffe und