Carl Zeiss, London, 6x24 military binoculars, dating from 1913. The binoculars have a leather covered brass and aluminium body, dioptre eyepieces, and silver embossed lettering on the prism covers (this type of lettering replaced the earlier cursive script Zeiss logo in 1902). The top left hand prism cover is marked: ‘Binocular Prismatic No. 3 (Mark I), Magnification 6, No. 3960', the top right prism cover is marked ‘Carl Zeiss, London, 1913’. The binoculars have flat prism covers made of brass (the earlier models were made of aluminum) and a central hinge. This model’s objective lens diameter is 24mm, and it has a 6x magnification. There is a Woolwich Arsenal acceptance number ‘3960’ engraved on the top left plate, and War Department ‘Broad Arrow’ marks to the lower prism plates. The binoculars come complete with their original leather neck strap, leather case and shoulder strap.
Specifications:
Magnification: 6x
Aperture (objective diameter): 24 mm
Field of view: 6.8°
Visible field of view (eyepiece FOV): 41°
Closest focusing distance: 5 m
Width: 145 mm
Height: 105 mm
Weight: 470 g
Production date: 1913
Woolwich Arsenal acceptance No: 3960
Carl Zeiss (London) Ltd: Zeiss had premises in London from the middle of the 19th century, and by 1897 they were at 29 Margaret Street, London. Carl Zeiss (London) Ltd was established in 1909, making prism binoculars primarily for British Government contracts. By 1913 Zeiss were assembling their No. 3 (Mark I) British designated military binoculars at their Mill Hill, London factory. In 1914, just before the outbreak of WW1, Carl Zeiss Jena ordered a stock of 700 binoculars from the London factory to be sent to Germany, but the shipments were blocked at British and Dutch ports, and the binoculars were instead delivered to the Woolwich Arsenal. When war broke out, the British government seized the assets of Zeiss (London) Ltd, including the factory and all manufacturing equipment, which were later sold to Ross Ltd in January 1917. Ross continued to fufill the Zeiss British Military contracts, but with the Zeiss branding on the binoculars being replaced by that of Ross Ltd.
Condition:
In very good condition and good working order. The view through the binoculars is very good for a set more than 100 years old, clean and clear, with good focus and an unobstructed view. It seems likely that the binoculars optics have been serviced and cleaned at some time in the past. The bakelite eyecups are in very good condition. There is some wear to the original black finish, but most of the paintwork is still intact. The embossed script on the prism covers is in good condition. The leather covering is securely attached and in very good condition. The leather case is in good condition, with general signs of wear and use.
Date: 1913
Model: Carl Zeiss (London), Prismatic, No.3 Mark I
Dimensions : 105mm x 145mm
Magnification: 6x
