Description
You are bidding on a VERY NICE example of a WW2 German Luftwaffe Doppelfernrohr (D.F.) 10×80 Flakfernrohr Spotting Binocular Halterrung Mounting Cradle! This (along with the other parts I currently have listed) were brought back by a US veteran.
In 1936, Emil Busch AG of Rathenow won a contract to produce a 10x binocular for air observation for the German military. Leitz and Möller each produced competing prototypes, but the Busch model was chosen for its lighter weight (6.5 kg vs. 9.25kg for the Möller and 8.5kg for the Leitz) and greater field of view (131m at 1000m vs. 105m/113m for the Möller/Leitz models). Production began soon afterwards and continued through the war, when the Busch design was also produced by other firms in Germany and occupied Poland. All models have identical optical systems: 80mm cemented achromatic objectives with 280mm focal length, 70-deg eyepieces, 45-deg Schmidt roof prisms. Due to allied bombing, the 10x80s were primarily used for identifying attacking aircraft and directing the large 4m rangefinders, searchlights and cannons of the anti-aircraft batteries around German cities. They also proved useful on the battlefield, and a version with 20-deg inclined eyepieces was produced for use at sea. A single half of the 10×80 binocular served as Z.F. (Zielfernrohr) 10×80, a sight for the 8.8cm artillery.
The D.F. engraved before 10×80 stands for Doppelfernrohr (double telescope). Only the early Busch models will have the manufacturer’s name, others will have the three letter code beh (E. Leitz, Wetzlar), dkl (Schneider, Bad Kreuznach), cro (R. Fuess, Berlin Steglitz), bpd (C.P. Goerz, Vienna), eug (Optische Präzisions-Werke, Warsaw) or cxn (E. Busch, Rathenow).
Made of a large tooled alloy and aluminum construction, this 10×80 power range finding FlaK Binocular Mounting Cradle is in EXCELLENT used condition! Retaining 98% original paint, it is a RARE manufacture, and is marked, “hap” (Max Kohl A-G, Chemnitz). Also features a LOW serial number, “514”, which MATCHES the Messkreis I also have listed. No major cracks or damage to the cradle…however…the handle on the side has broken off (common), and the tiny knob on the side is missing (also common). Those could easily be repaired if one wished. Moves up/down as it should, however it i VERY stiff and will need to be lubricated. This is original to the other parts I have listed. A VERY NICE addition to any collecting or display!
Please view my other 10×80 Flakfernrohr accessories in my additional listings.
