WWII German Dienstglas 10x50 Carl Zeiss Jena Binoculars. OPT 849. WWII German Dienstglas 10x50 Carl Zeiss Jena Binoculars. OPT 849. Antique & Militaria

A pair of German 10x50 power issued field binoculars cased. The binoculars retain much of their original factory finish. They are nicely marked « Dienstglas 10x50 / 9264 blc + (which indicates production by Carl Zeiss- and the + indicates suitability in cold weather down to -40c). (By World War I Zeiss was the world's largest camera-production company. Zeiss Ikon represented a significant part of the production, along with dozens of other brands and factories, including a major works at Dresden. In 1928 the Zeiss company acquired Hensoldt AG, which has produced Zeiss binoculars and riflescopes since 1964 - this has occasionally resulted in twin products being offered under both the "Hensoldt" and "Zeiss" brand names. The Hensoldt System Technology division (resulting from a merger of the military-optics operations of Leica and Hensoldt) was continued by Zeiss under the "Hensoldt" name until 2006.As part of Nazi Germany's Zwangsarbeiter program, Zeiss used forced labour, including Jews and other minorities during World War II. The destruction of the war caused many companies to divide into smaller subcompanies and others to merge. There was great respect for the engineering innovation that came out of Dresden before the war the world's first 35 mm single-lens reflex camera, the Kine Exakta, and the first miniature camera with good picture-quality were developed there). They come with their bakelite eye cup lens protective rain cover and the leather neck strap. The optics are clear and show no signs of use, damage or tampering. A very nice and desirable set in excellent good condition. OPT 849.