German, Japanese and Other Country Military Optics

The body is very heavy steel and attached to an aircraft cushioned mount.  The shutter release solenoid has the original cord and plug attached. The cover for the motor advance gear mechanism at the top of the body is intact and present. The winding motor for advancing the film is present.

These are views of the significant features of this camera:

• Lens Close-up
• Top view
• Left Top
• Right Bottom
• Power Plug -- Front and Rear

There is no snowflake or crazing of the lenses apparent.  The camera and optics need general overall cleanup and a tune-up. All screwheads are in fine condition, showing no signs of having been turned since manufacture.  There is some rubber insulation on the cord near the body that exposes the insulated wires underneath.  This should be easily repairable, if needed.

The camera has orange Luftwaffe markings on the back of the body.  The solenoid is RoBoT marked and "kna" marked (DER ROBOT, BERNING & Co., K.G. [photographic equipment] DÜSSELDORF GERMANY) and serial numbered.

The camera is in generally very good to near excellent condition overall, except as detailed above.

The body is brass and steel.  The cover for the motor advance gear mechanism at the top of the body is intact and present. The winding motor for advancing the film is present.

These are views of the significant features of this camera:

• Lens Close-up
• Top view
• Left Top
• Bottom
• Rear and Rear Open

There is no snowflake or crazing of the lenses apparent. The long telephoto lens is getting hard to find on this model. The camera and optics need general overall cleanup and a tune-up. All screwheads are in fine condition, showing no signs of having been turned since manufacture.

The camera has Luftwaffe markings and serial number on the back of the body.

The camera is in generally very good to near excellent condition overall, except as detailed above.

The body is very heavy steel and brass armored. These optics date to approximately 1941-1943.

These are views of the significant features of this monocular optic:

• Eyepiece End
• Eyepiece Close-up
• Objective End
• Objective Close-up
• Right Side
• Left Side
• Bottom Side
• Maker and ID Marks

There is no snowflake or crazing of the lenses apparent.  The glasses need general overall cleanup and a tune-up.

The DAK Tropical Tan Paint needs some touching up. The optics need internal cleaning and attention to bring back into totally serviceable condition.  There is a 18012 serial number on the prism housing.

There are adjustments for eye relief, width, and a selector for various filters from Clear (Klar) to Dark (Dunkel). The steel sun shades and padded brow piece present. The traversing mechanism is not present.

The markings are D.F. 10X80 dkl (Jos Schneider & Co, Kreuznach, Germany) "KF" (probably an inspector) 18012 F.

These optics are in generally very good condition overall, except as detailed above.

The body is very heavy steel and brass armored. These optics date to approximately 1941-1943.

These are views of the significant features of this monocular optic:

• Eyepiece End
• Objective End

There is no snowflake or crazing of the lenses apparent.  The glasses need general overall cleanup and a tune-up. All screwheads are in fine condition, showing no signs of having been turned since manufacture.

The Navy Gray (Neve) Paint needs some touching up. The optics need internal cleaning and attention to bring back into totally serviceable condition.  There is a D 231 serial number on the frame.

There is a "spider web" style targeting sight internally, and coarse aiming external sights.

The markings are OK 1x40° Ausf. A. dow (WAFFENWERKE BRUNN A.G. (1943-OPTICOTECHNA GmbH) PRERAU CZECH) 611

These optics are in generally very good condition overall, except as detailed above.

The body and prism covers are heavy aluminum alloys. These glasses have pre-war commercial markings instead of the ordnance code letters.

These are views of the significant features of these binoculars:

• Eyepieces
• Objectives

Collimation and parallax need some adjustment.  There is some minor soiling on the prisms.  There is no snowflake or crazing of the lenses apparent.  The glasses need general overall cleanup and a tune-up.

There is general overall wear to what is left (about 60%) of the pebble grain leather on one tube.  The other has the covering completely missing.  About 60% of the black paint on the aluminum cranes is gone. 95% of the enamel on the prism covers remains.  The right eyepiece is independently focused, and operates smoothly throughout its range. The focus knob and adjustment works smoothly as well.

The markings are PRISMEN-GLASER 8X and OTTO WALTER (Serial number) 12507.

It is in serviceable generally fair to good condition overall, except as detailed above.

The body and prism covers are heavy aluminum alloys. These glasses have pre-war commercial markings instead of the ordnance code letters.

These are views of the significant features of these binoculars:

• Eyepieces
• Objectives

Collimation and parallax need some adjustment.  There is some minor soiling on the prisms.  There is no snowflake or crazing of the lenses apparent.  The glasses need general overall cleanup and a tune-up.

There is general overall wear to the pebble grain leather on the tubes.  About 10% of the black paint on the aluminum cranes is gone. 95% of the enamel on the prism covers remains.  The right eyepiece is independently focused, and operates smoothly throughout its range. The focus knob and adjustment works smoothly as well.  The left eyepiece is a lock for the focus.

The markings are Dr. F. A. WOHLER CASSEL and DECAMAR 10X32

It is in serviceable generally good condition overall, except as detailed above.

The body and prism covers are heavy aluminum alloys. These 1940 dated glasses have early war commercial markings instead of the ordnance code letters.

These are views of the significant features of these binoculars:

• Eyepieces (showing serial number, maker marks, KM marks)
• Objectives
• Prism housing
• Case (Top - Inside - Maker Mark - Front - Back)

Collimation and parallax need some adjustment.  There is some minor soiling on the prisms.  There is no snowflake or crazing of the lenses apparent.  The glasses need general overall cleanup and a tune-up.

The pebble grain leather on the tubes is missing on the long tubes and prisms.  The black paint on the aluminum cranes and over 98% of the enamel on the prism covers remains.  Both eyepieces are independently focused, and operates smoothly throughout its range. The optics need internal cleaning and attention to bring back into totally serviceable condition.  The screwheads are in fine shape.

The case has a torn leather hinge at the back and a piece of the strap closu re missing, as shown in the images.

The markings are 7x50 E. LEITZ WETZLAR 290319 and Kreigmarine Eagle "M" and "7359 N"

These optics are in generally good condition overall, except as detailed above.

This is one of a number of items sent back to the US by Captain Jesse T. Schwidde, a member of the 3rd Medical Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division who occuppied the Obersalzberg in the early part of May, 1945.  His story and several documents are related on the Bormann and Porcelain China pages.

This is a very robust case, build to withstand military field use.

This is a view of the exterior of the case, closed. This is from the side, showing the locks (there is no key).  And one of the interior, showing the fitted compartments. It measures 19-3/4 by 8 wide by 9-1/4 inches deep.

It is in completely serviceable condition, excepting the missing key.

This set was made by Raumbild-Verlag and has a Ges. Gesch. registration marks.

This is a view of the picture frame side, closed. It measures 6 inches wide by 2-1/2 inches high.  It opens to 4 inches deep and folds to fit in a pocket sleeve in the history book.

We occasionally have the history books available, inquire if interested.

It is in completely serviceable condition.

This set is shown folded with the lenses in the soft cloth pouch and unfolded with the lenses out of the pouch.

This is a view of the tin, closed. It measures 4-5/8 inches wide by 2-1/2 inches high by 2-7/8. The top is shown slightly open, it closes tightly.

They are in generally serviceable condition, with some stiffness to the rubber from age.

These  were removed from a Japanese battleship at the close of World War Two    The  brass tag indicates they were manufactured by Nikko and are model No. 20 and 20 x 3 size. 

They weigh 40 pounds and are 26" long x 17" wide, the front lens opening is 6".   The optics are clear with no bubbles cracks nor spots.  

There is an  aiming sight up front and in the back. There is some slight paint chipping away and a small crack in the metal casting by the eyepiece (see picture) that does not effect operation. All the focusing and adjustments work well. There are two large sun shades that pull out of front lenses.

These are views of the significant features of these binoculars:  1  2  3  4  5  6 

The condition overall is near excellent.

The body is very heavy (approximately 20 pounds) and attaches to the included mount.  These binoculars were completely repainted in a very bright heavy green paint, which has served to protect (however unintentionally) the original paint underneath and also provided extra protection to the metal.  Some of the paint has worn off and a portion was removed to expose the name/data plate and low four digit serial number (2880)

These are views of the significant features of these binoculars:

• Eyepiece Lens Close-up
• Prism covers
• Top
• Bottom
• Left Side
• Right Side
• Objective tube top -- Objective tube bottom
• Data Plate
• Objective Lenses

There is no snowflake or crazing of the lenses apparent. 

The case is in generally near good to very good condition overall.

The body is brass and aluminum alloys.

Emile Bruno MEYROWITZ pioneered the optical field. He opened his first optometry shop in 1875 in Albany, New York prior to establishing the shop in Paris, France.  He held several patents for optics and was an inventor of a single lever focusing mechanism.  He also built telescopes and other high-end optics.  The company still exists in Paris, although they are more aligned to retail current optics today.  Early Meyrowitz binoculars -- especially the long tube models -- are very difficult to locate in decent condition.

These are views of several features of these binoculars:

• Eyepieces
• Objectives
• Prism covers and maker marks
• Crane
• Close-up of prism area

There is a piece of the barrel cover on the left objective tube missing and a chip in the covering of the left side prism housing.

Collimation and parallax are in alignment.  There is some minor spotting on the prisms.  There is no snowflake or crazing of the lenses apparent.  The glasses need general overall cleanup and a tune-up.

There is general overall wear to the armored pebble texture cloth on the tubes.  About 50% of the black paint on the aluminum cranes is gone.95% of the enamel on the brass prism covers remains.  The screws appear to have never been turned, all slots are clean and sharp.  The crane focus knob operates smoothly through its range.  The right eyepiece is independently focused, and operates throughout its range.  The original leather strap is present, and in fair (but fragile) condition.

The markings are 20X and E. B. MEYROWITZ PARIS - NEW YORK - LONDON.

It is in serviceable generally very good condition overall, except as detailed above..

This is as shown.

The brass cylinder measures 20 inches long. The forward objective diameter ring is 5 inches holding a  3.5 inches diameter optic .

The yoke measurement is 8 inches wide and 17 inches long. The brass and steel tripod is 52 inches long. Here are Various Views: 1 2 3 4

All parts are in excellent condition overall.  

This is a Pre-1960 manufactured Graflex, with the side mounted external Kalart Rangefinder. The camera optics are Ektar Eastman Kodak made.

This camera is very complete, and functional. Accessories include the battery powered Graflex synchronous flash unit with battery compartment and reflector for Sylvania P25 type flash bulbs.  About a dozen unused bulbs are included.

Also included is the Polaroid Land 545 film back and six large format two sided film carriers.

The condition is near excellent throughout, except the usual signs of routine  use.

The case is metal reinforced fiber with robust handle, hinges, fittings, snaps, and corner bumpers.  It has the original strap, with the buckle showing rust and needing some attention.  The case measures approximately 17 by 8 by 10 inches.

Here are a number of views of various pieces:

• Front closed
• Rear closed
• Left side
• Right side
• Main Optic lens and camera face.
• Close-up showing the back open

This exact gun camera was described in the Monday, Oct. 26, 1936 issue of TIME Magazine, the relevant portion is shown below.

So advanced are Fairchild's aerial cameras that the company now has the field entirely to itself in the U. S., and its equipment is standard in the civil and military services of no less than 21 for eign lands. Eastman Kodak is quite content to supply film. One growing use for film is in Fairchild's machine-gun camera, an instrument for training combat pilots.

It is built, mounted and operated like a machine gun except that a trigger squeeze shoots a number of frames on a 16 mm. cinema film instead of a burst of bullets. After a sham battle, the pilots can see, precisely, where shots would have gone had they been firing a real gun. If there is any argument as to who "hit" first, the question is instantly settled by the time recorded to a split second on the film. List price [in 1936! Ed.] of a machine-gun camera : $500.

The condition is near excellent throughout, except the usual signs of routine military use and issue markings painted on the body.

Here are a number of views of various pieces:

• Top of the top of the body, showing the data plate and maker marks
• Left side, showing the frame counter and interior lens
• Right side, Bottom side and barrel
• Main Optic lens.
• Close-up of the Grips and shutter trigger.
• Close-up showing the objectives and clarity of the mirrors
• These are the pintle mount and front and rear sights, shown front and rear.

The US/C-3 Infrared Signaling Telescope was designed for secure night-time signaling with shipboard infrared-filtered yardarm blinkers US/X-12 or signal searchlights and various beacons. The most common use was as an infrared beacon placed on a landing (or pick-up) site by an Underwater Demolition Team frogman (UDT) team to guide pick-up vessels to the site.

The condition is near excellent throughout, except the usual signs of routine military use and issue markings painted on the body. It comes complete with the original fitted hard plastic protective case with instructions applied to the lid.

The model number on the data plate is an early version, stamped as MI-2558.  This was generally used for the 110 AC model, with MI-2558A and MI-2558F used for the battery powered models. As can be seen, this is the battery version.  It uses 2 "D" cell (BA-30 or USN Type C) batteries (not included).  The battery compartment shows no signs of corrosion.

Here are a number of views of various pieces:

• Top of the eyepiece portion of the body, showing the data plate and maker marks
• Objective side, showing the interior lens and Schmidt-Cassegrain design
• Outside, Inside and Instructions on the hard black plastic

The applications of photogrammetry are widely spread. Principally, it is utilized for object interpretation (What is it? Type? Quality? Quantity) and object measurement (Where is it? Form? Size?). Aerial photogrammetry is mainly used to produce topographical or thematical maps and digital terrain models

While taking the photographs, the airplane flies over a certain area in a meandering way, so that the whole area is covered by overlapping photographs. The overlapping part of each stereo pair can be viewed in 3D and consequently mapped in 3D

The condition is near excellent throughout, except the leather carry handle is separated at one side and one of the spare small mirrors is not present.

Here are a number of views of various pieces:

• Top of the wood case, showing the handle and data plate
• Case open, showing the instrument stowed
• Case open, the instrument removed. Spare mirrors can be seen in compartments.
• Close-up of the Kershaw optics from the eyepieces, showing part numbers.
• Close-up showing the objectives and clarity of the mirrors
• View from underneath showing large mirrors with protective covers retracted.
• Close-up of data plate on the case.

This design was in use from WWII to Vietnam.  This set of optics is mounted with a quarter turn quick connect style mounting.

This is a view of the eyepiece showing the 2-5 power marking and the serial number and part identification.

The optics are clear and sharp and in totally serviceable condition.

The condition is near excellent throughout.

This design was in use throughout WWII.  This set of optics is mounted.

This is a view of the objective and the eyepiece and the serial number and part identification.

The optics are clear, they appear to be in serviceable condition.

The condition is near excellent throughout.

This design was in use throughout WWII.  This set of optics is mounted.

This is a view of the objective and the eyepiece and the serial number and part identification.

This scope has coated optics are bright and clear, they appear to be in serviceable condition. There is some minor rust freckling on the tube that does not impair function.

The condition is near excellent throughout.

This design was in use throughout WWII.  This set of optics is mounted.

This is a view of the objective and the eyepiece and the serial number and part identification.

The optics are clear, they appear to be in serviceable condition.

The condition is near excellent throughout.

This design was in use throughout WWII.  This set of optics was made by American Optical under a B&L contract and they are marked on the top of the bridge.

There is a very well made heavy steel reinforced metal clamshell leather case with velvet lining. The instructions are glued to the inside.  The glasses are identified to a sergeant of a US Army Air Force Service squadron.

The earpieces are of the wrap-around variety and the temples are very thin and flat to fit closely to the skin to prevent gas leakage while used with a gas mask.  The glasses are also designed for use without the gas mask as normal eyewear.

The optics are clear, they appear to be in serviceable condition.  The prescription is very mild and appears to be for correcting minor astigmatism.

The condition is near excellent throughout.

This design was in use before WWII for the oval style American Optical Aviator Goggles used by Air Mail pilots and Barnstormers.  This case was made by American Optical Company and they are marked on the top of the case.

It measures 8-3/4 long by 3 inches wide by 2 inches deep. This is shown open.

The condition is near excellent and completely serviceable throughout.

This design was in use during WWII by USAAF, USN and USMC aviators.  This set has the nomenclature but no other apparent maker marks.

They measure about 8-1/2 inches long by 2-3/4 inches wide. This is the rear view.

The condition is good to near very good with some minor stiffness of the gray rubber gaskets.  There are some minor scratches on the lenses, we may have replacement lenses available, inquire.

This design was in use before WWI as the angle lens style British Aviator Goggles used by pilots and crew.  This set was made by Stadium and they are marked below the lens with the maker on one side and a 1911 dated US Patent number under the other. This design was still in use during WWII.

They measure about 7-1/2 inches long by 3-1/2 inches wide. This is rear view.

The condition is near excellent including the lenses and elastics.