Description
You are bidding on a VERY NICE example of a WW2 German Luftwaffe Doppelfernrohr (D.F.) 10×80 Flakfernrohr Spotting Binocular Stirnschutz (Headpad)!
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 rubber and steel, this 10×80 power range finding FlaK Binocular Head Pad is in EXCELLENT used condition! Manufactured by D & N, it retains approx. 95% of it’s original finish, and the rubber is still soft and flexible! All manufacture info is moulded into the rubber, but it is a bit faded. The paint color on the reverse suggests it was originally intended for a Kriegsmarine Optic (Coastal Defence). A VERY NICE addition to any collection or display!
Please see my other 10×80 Flakfernrohr parts in my other listings.
