{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-10x50-dienstglas-binoculars-by-ernst-leitz-of-wetzlar-with-1942-dated-case-by-walter-winkler-of-schonwalderstrasse","title":"Original German WWII 10x50 Dienstglas Binoculars by Ernst Leitz of Wetzlar with 1942 Dated Case by Walter Winkler of Schönwalderstrasse","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice original German WWII \u003cstrong\u003e10x50 Dienstglas binocular set manufactured by Ernst Leitz of Wetzlar,\u003c\/strong\u003e complete with its original leather neck strap, hard eyepiece cover, and a 1942-dated carrying case. The binoculars retain most of their original black finish and leatherette covering, while the optics remain functional with only minor internal fogging. The combination of the early Leitz maker name rather than the later \u003cstrong\u003ebeh \u003c\/strong\u003ecode and the included 1942 case makes this a particularly interesting transitional wartime set.\u003cbr\u003eBinoculars used by the German military in the Second World War were made by a wide range of makers. The most well-known were Carl Zeiss, \u003cstrong\u003eErnst Leitz,\u003c\/strong\u003e Swarovski and Voightlander. Up to 1940 they carried the maker's name and as well as the word “Dienstglas” which means service glass. From around 1940 the maker's name was replaced by a three letter code.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis set retains the leather neck strap and hard leather eye cup cover. The eyecup cover is marked and dated \u003cstrong\u003e1938\u003c\/strong\u003e. This example is pre-1940, marked on the left barrel with the maker’s logo:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE. LEITZ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWETZLAR\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd on the right barrel:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDienstglas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e10X50\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e309638\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM    H\/6400\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eH\/6400\u003c\/strong\u003e marking identifies the standard German Army reticle or Strichplatte fitted in one ocular for range estimation and observation. The accompanying \u003cstrong\u003eM\u003c\/strong\u003e has been identified in specialist optical references as referring to the metric-thread specification used in the binocular construction.\u003cbr\u003eThe original black finish on both the metal and leatherette are retained very nicely with minimal wear and paint loss. All lenses are clear and the optic is still able to be focused properly but there is some minor fogginess. The leather case also retains the black finish very nicely and appears to be without damage besides the securing strap having stretched the lid downward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe included case is in very good condition, marked \u003cstrong\u003eksd 1942 WaA14\u003c\/strong\u003e on the top of the case under the lid, which identifies the maker as \u003cstrong\u003eWalter Winkler of Schönwalderstrasse 101 in Berlin-Spandau\u003c\/strong\u003e, a maker of leather wares and military accoutrements. The spring-loaded catch mechanism is maker marked and dated \u003cstrong\u003efrn 42\u003c\/strong\u003e for \u003cstrong\u003eRudolf Lang, Brandenburg an der Havel, Koppehlstrasse 5-7,\u003c\/strong\u003e a maker of springs and metalwear. The shoulder strap for the case is sadly missing.\u003cbr\u003eThis set is particularly noteworthy for the combination of its\u003cstrong\u003e early E. Leitz Wetzlar maker marking, serial number 309638, 10x50 H\/6400 configuration, surviving neck strap and eyepiece cover, and clearly marked ksd 1942 \/ WaA14 carrying case\u003c\/strong\u003e. Together these features make it a strong example of German wartime military optics with an especially complete accessory set.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45948146876485,"sku":"ONAC25SD1054","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/7e67610d-9b88-4b32-b2d5-d9b8313b98b7.jpg?v=1791391596","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-10x50-dienstglas-binoculars-by-ernst-leitz-of-wetzlar-with-1942-dated-case-by-walter-winkler-of-schonwalderstrasse","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}