Original German WWI Fernrohr 03 Binoculars by Carl Zeiss with Leather Case Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic opportunity to add a lovely set of genuine German WWI binoculars to your collections! They are often overlooked but were a necessity during the wars.

Binoculars have a long history of military use. Galilean designs were widely used up to the end of the 19th century when they gave way to porro prism types. Binoculars constructed for general military use tend to be more rugged than their civilian counterparts. They generally avoid fragile center focus arrangements in favor of independent focus, which also makes for easier, more effective weatherproofing. Prism sets in military binoculars may have redundant aluminized coatings on their prism sets to guarantee they don’t lose their reflective qualities if they get wet.

This is a very nice set of Imperial German WWI Field Glasses model 1903, made by the legendary Carl Zeiss company of Jena. These were one of the most used German issued binoculars of WWI. This example is fully functional, with mostly clear optics, and working focus adjustments. It is nicely marked as follows on the central hinge tension wheel with the maker and serial number:

CARL ZEISS
JENA
D.F. 6x
672878

The bakelite eye cups are in good condition, with some chips and cracks on the left cup. There is a strip of leather tied to the binos but was most likely added many years post war.

The included case is made of leather. The inside of the top cover has instructions for the Fernrohr 03 glued in place. The leather hinge is still present and functional, though definitely shows age and wear. The top closure straps are both broken off, as are the tabs for the shoulder strap. The shoulder strap is unfortunately missing.

Overall a very nice example of the classic eye piece for German infantry officers during WWI!