Item:
ONSV1143

Original German WWII Rabbit Ear Optic 10×50 Sighting Periscope Leitz Scherenfernrohr S.F.14.Z.Gi.

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a rare Word War Two German manufactured Leitz Scherenfernrohr S.F.14.Z.Gi. in beige/sand finish with post war tripod.

In 1894, Carl Zeiss introduced a new and unusual type of prism binocular. Zeiss called its invention the Scherenfernrohr (scissors telescope) – an 8 x 10 power device fitted with adjustable twin periscopic extensions connected by a hinge. An observer could position the tubular “ears” upright and parallel to each other or splayed out horizontally for greater depth perception (stereoscopic vision), causing objects to appear in modelled relief, strongly distinct from the background and thus estimate the range. This hybrid between binoculars and a periscope enabled the observer to remain safely concealed in dug-outs, behind walls or even tree trunks with only the objective lens visible to the enemy.

By World War II the design remained virtually unchanged except for an upgrade in magnification to 10 x 50 and continued to be a useful tool in the Wehrmacht for general observation (in both vehicles and on the ground) and for artillery fire observation and direction throughout the war.

It was to be used for: Observation and reconnaissance; Measuring angles of azimuth; Measuring angles of site and elevation; Measuring height of shell bursts; Establishing safety zones for advancing friendly troops; and to lay field guns.

It was often seen employed in different roles such as in vehicles being specifically delivered as standard equipment in many German armored fighting vehicles such as the StuG III, Jagdpanzer 38, Jagdpanzer IV, Panther and on the King Tiger where it can
often be seen poking out the commander’s cupola primarily as a safe method for
him to observe the enemy without risk to life

Made of aluminum, brass, and steel by maker Srb & Stys Fabrik Praziser Messinstrumente, in Prague, Czechoslovakia., this aiming periscope was manufactured between 1943 and 1945.  Still retains 95% of of its paint and finish, and is solid. The optics are Efunctional and you can see through them but there is some clouding and debris. One lens is cracked. All focus adjustment still turn freely. Data information is stamped into the bottom, indicating:

bmk
166846
S.F.14.Z.Gi
H/6400
+

One of the more unique WWII battlefield optical systems developed by Leitz, manufacturer of the Leica camera. This hybrid between binoculars and a periscope enabled the observer to remain safely concealed with only the objective lens visible to the enemy. The Wehrmacht used it for general observation (in vehicles and on the ground) and for artillery fire observation and direction.

According to "Der Artillerist, Der Kanonier (1940) the Scherenfernrohr was to be used for:

1) Observation and reconnaissance
2) Measuring angles of
3) Measuring angles of site and elevation
4) Measuring height of shell bursts
5) Establishing safety zones for advancing friendly troops
6) And to lay field guns.

To aid ground infantry and artillery observers the Scherenfernrohr was used in conjunction with a tripod leg assembly. It normally came with accessories such as the azimuth mount and spirit level, tripod, carrying case, and other items such as a battery powered removable illumination lamp kit and a trench mount (often referred to as a tree screw which was approximate to a sort of cork screw that could allow the mount to be imbedded in wood or the ground).

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