Carl Zeiss Jena D.f. 6x42 W.w.1 Military Binocular (2 Viewers)

[cmr2003]

Hi everyone I found some real nice WW1 Carl zeiss Jena D.F 6X42 Binoculars and I'm selling them on ebay, but there is this guy that keeps wanting to buy them of me without bidding so I'm trying to figure out how much they are really worth. I did some research and they only issued these to the army. The guy offered me $200.00 and I said no and he counter offered with $400.00. Does any one know the vaule of them? The link to my ebay auction is below I just started it yesterday and it has like 13 people watching. Thanks in advance for anyone that can help me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261028899943&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123#ht_500wt_1200

 

[stereotruckdriver]

Hi everyone I found some real nice WW1 Carl zeiss Jena D.F 6X42 Binoculars and I'm selling them on ebay, but there is this guy that keeps wanting to buy them of me without bidding so I'm trying to figure out how much they are really worth. I did some research and they only issued these to the army. The guy offered me $200.00 and I said no and he counter offered with $400.00. Does any one know the vaule of them? The link to my ebay auction is below I just started it yesterday and it has like 13 people watching. Thanks in advance for anyone that can help me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261028899943&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123#ht_500wt_1200

Only real value is to a collector? Unless they were unused, i would just let your auction run, if there is significant value to them you will be able to tell on the bidders and the amount they bid! You could always end it and sale it for the $400 if it doesn't look like the bidding is going to get that high? Just curious where did you find them?

 

[ceasar]

They look more modern than WWI binoculars. More like WWII era. Are the eye cups rubber? It's hard to tell from the pictures.

 

[cmr2003]

This is in reply to stereotruckdriver

I bought it at a Auction/Estate Auction, most people go there for the new items that are up for bid and I snatched up all the old items for cheap. I bought a whole rack and got 3 binoculars and a vintage German singing bird in a cage. I almost felt like I won a scratch off ticket when I got home. I'm just trying to figure out how much they are worth, because
once somebody starts bidding there is no turning back and I can't sale it to the guy offering $400.00. Then again if they are super rare they could go for over $400.00, but I don't know.

 

[cmr2003]

They look more modern than WWI binoculars. More like WWII era. Are the eye cups rubber? It's hard to tell from the pictures.

Well according to the site below they are from between 1915-1918 and the serial number has it being produced around 1915. I'm not a expert on binoculars, but they don't feel like rubber to me.
http://home.europa.com/~telscope/zeissbn2.txt

 

[ceasar]

They must be WWI. I note that the Zeiss Link says that they have a "Hinge Tension Knob" on the bottom of the hinge which appears to be missing. They have a very wide FOV -- 165 yards wide at 1000 yards, almost 500 feet. They must have been rather unique for their time. I wonder how many were made? 6 x 42 has always been a rare format. Even in WWII. There is one from that era which is highly sought after but I can't remember it's name now. Some one will come up with it though.

Bob

 

[cmr2003]

They must be WWI. I note that the Zeiss Link says that they have a "Hinge Tension Knob" on the bottom of the hinge which appears to be missing. They have a very wide FOV -- 165 yards wide at 1000 yards, almost 500 feet. They must have been rather unique for their time. I wonder how many were made? 6 x 42 has always been a rare format.

Bob

I'm not sure I wish I knew, but I'm guessing if they were only issued to the army and never came out with a civilian version probably not to many.

 

[ceasar]

It might be worth taking the time to do more research on them.

Bob

 

[etudiant]

The WW 1 Zeiss DF 6x42 is covered in the Seeger monograph on Military Binoculars and Telescopes on pp 103-5.
He notes the glass was produced in several versions, differing in weight, shape and optical detail.
The 6x42 configuration (also a related 4x42 variant) was selected to maximize the light gathering performance of the glass.
Seeger notes that he was unable to verify reports the glass was produced exclusively for the Navy, as the units he saw had no Navy specific markings.
This glass does not have any either as far as I can see.