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E Leitz Wetzlar binoculars (1 Viewer)

blackstan

Active member
Hello I recently purchased a pair of very usable Wetzlar 10x50 ww2 binoculars, maybe slightly out if collimation, I'm more of a military binocular collector but this forum has provided the answer for me in the past 😀. They are 'dienstglas ' or service glass binos and are marked H/6400, this means they should have a ranging graticule in the right lens...they do not have this at all, the screws are all complete but evidence of someone having taken them apart is there. The leatherette is slightly brown in colour, they are a nice pair, I own others like them I'm just wondering how/why the graticule had been removed or horror of horrors they are not a correct pair of ww2 german optics. Any info would be most welcome, I attach photos.
 

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The reticle was probably removed by someone who prefers an unobstructed view.

I have a coded Leitz 7x50 with excellent thick rubber covers.

It was in a junk box at a camera fair.
The view seemed very good when I looked through it, even though I had no idea who made it as there were no markings until I peeled back the rubber at home.

I thought it must be worth the £5 asked.

Regards,
B.
 
Thanks for the reply, I've heard of a few situations where german binoculars were demilitarised post war, its just I hadn't come across it apart from the defacing of the codes on the metalwork. They are a nice pair of Binos and again thank you for your comment 😊 😀
 
Well,

At least the view will be open. If you want it with a reticle (military provenance), some hunting will be in order, unless the specific reticle pattern was used on other German Military glass from that time period can be obtained.
 
One would have to get inside the glass near the eye piece and it is easily removed. It is not printed on the glass so no rubbing off needed.
see below.

 
One would have to get inside the glass near the eye piece and it is easily removed. It is not printed on the glass so no rubbing off needed.
see below.

Thanks for the info and my question answered. I personally would never forget this but I'm going to check the heights of the eyepieces, I found I'd ever find the glass to go in the binos....thanks again for the comment 🙂
 
A reticle may have uses for military applications, but it's a nuisance for most civilian observation and was probably removed from your binocular for that reason.

PS. It doesn't look like a fake to me, but in all honesty, if it gives you a good view, who cares if it is?
 
Hello,

As the graticule, or reticle, is a glass element, it is part of the optical train. When removed, the dioptre setting changes slightly. There is a good chance that when it was removed, no adjustment was made. The result is that the setting might appear slightly off. For those who want to bother, adjustment is made to the other eyepiece.

I have military binoculars which lack the graticule, probably to accommodate civilians like Patudo, who found it annoying. I also have a civilian CF glass with a graticule, as some owners, possibly shooters, wanted them.

Stay safe,
Arthur
 
Hello,

As the graticule, or reticle, is a glass element, it is part of the optical train. When removed, the dioptre setting changes slightly. There is a good chance that when it was removed, no adjustment was made. The result is that the setting might appear slightly off. For those who want to bother, adjustment is made to the other eyepiece.

I have military binoculars which lack the graticule, probably to accommodate civilians like Patudo, who found it annoying. I also have a civilian CF glass with a graticule, as some owners, possibly shooters, wanted them.

Stay safe,
Arthur
Thanks very much for commenting , I'm going to leave them as they are....all the best 👌 👍
 
A reticle may have uses for military applications, but it's a nuisance for most civilian observation and was probably removed from your binocular for that reason.

PS. It doesn't look like a fake to me, but in all honesty, if it gives you a good view, who cares if it is?
Thanks for the comment, they are a nice pair of binos 🙂🙂🙂
 
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