Notes on the identification, numbering and annual and individualproduction of early Carl Zeiss Binoculars ( 1894 –1907 )

5th Edition

Prologue

The current study supersedes my very first attempt at establishing the facts, concerning the above, back in June 2002. Since then I have learned a lot and look back in shame at my pronouncements of the time. As a close friend once told me “you can never be criticized if you write nothing”. I stand to be corrected in everything I write and offer this edition knowing and expecting to be corrected. As with other attempts at resolving or just shedding light on the problem, no sooner has the ink dried on the version about to be published, one then realises that all is not quite so final. With each day that passes, however, and with new numbers becoming available the jigsaw pieces fall a bit more into place. It supersedes all previous editions the last one being that of 29th December 2004. It is, however, evolutionary as regards the fourth edition, drawing on new information and numbers that have become available to me since then.

Background and Objective

My fascination with Zeiss binoculars goes back a long time and was centred on a dream to own a 15x60. Financial constraints made sure that it remained more or less just that until the early 90’s. Living as I do close to Portobello Road (London’s famous flea market) provided a fairly easy way into more serious collecting and it was not long before I also became interested in collecting and recording their serial numbers. Being an accountant by profession this should not come as a surprise to those who know me. As is more often than not with hobbies, this soon became almost an obsession and an all consuming one at that. Whatever little time is available these days after a day’s work and after looking after a young family, is spent in searching for, recording and documenting Zeiss serial numbers. It has been said with some justification that it is a far less expensive pastime than actually buying the binoculars themselves.

The collection of numbers has grown over the years and now totals just over 14,000. Sources include eBay, fairs in the UK, auction houses and friends who happily and sometimes not so happily provide the numbers in their collections. Not content with establishing the serial numbers I occasionally push my luck by asking for information on the type of eyecups, the existence or otherwise of an interocular scale the writing style model name and in fact any information that can be provided.

As this article is mainly concerned with numbers it would be helpful to the reader to note that the description “serial number” will be used to denote the number given by Zeiss to a particular instrument. In the case of binoculars, this number was normally struck on the long edge of the rectangular metal plate joining the right hand side to the bending bar. In the case of the Relief-Fernrohr the serial number is to be found on the edge of the left or the right hand side prism housing and near the bending bar. Finally, in the case of monoculars it is to be found on the prism cover plate and close to the ocular. Such numbers will appear in the text of this article and the accompanying Tables without the use of commas, for example 1234, just as they appeared on the actual instruments. References to quantities will appear with the use of commas, for example 12,345.

The article is supported by three Tables in Excel identified as Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3. References to columns within these tables are to column numbers given within each

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of those tables. A further Table, also in Excel and headed “Early models” provides information on the introduction of the various models and their variants as noted in Zeiss catalogues of the time. It is noted that in one particular case there is a discrepancy between the German and the English editions. Thus, in the second edition of catalogue T1 the 4x model is described as having an objective diameter of 11mm in the German edition and 14mm in the English edition. Both editions have the same date namely April 1896.

The serial number range that I have recorded covers the period from the very beginning (starting with a Relief-Fernrohr 8x with serial number “8” in 1894) to the early 1960’s.The emphasis is, however, heavily towards the early period with just over 1,200 numbers recorded for the period between 1894 and 1907.

Having had the continuous benefit of more serial numbers, especially early ones, access to early Zeiss catalogues and new evidence on the evolution of the early models I decided to try and refine my current knowledge into what might be termed a fifth and final edition. The objectives are, as previously, limited to:

Establishing, if possible, a reliable system of dating early Zeiss binoculars and examining the evolution from the initial numbering system (per model as opposed to “across the range”) to the subsequent “across the range“ system starting at 120000 or some other number.

These objectives, which remain unchanged, are now supported by extensive notes which readers might find useful in the dating of early Zeiss binoculars.

It is not the intention to write a detailed history of the early Zeiss binoculars. That task I will gladly leave to those that are far more knowledgeable on the subject than I will ever be.

Acknowledgements

I am very thankful to all those that have helped and supported me in my hobby over the years especially my friends Bill Reid and Hans Seeger. Their support in general and in the completion of earlier versions of this article in particular has been invaluable and cannot be over emphasised. Bill cast his critical eye on the second edition of this article whilst Hans has provided vital information to close gaps, dates of introduction of a number of models and allowed use of material from his book Militärische Ferngläser und Fernrohre Second Edition 2002.

I would also like to thank Jack Kelly who shares my enthusiasm or madness for numbers especially those on early Zeiss binoculars and who has written a number of articles on the subject, has provided material useful to the study and kept my spirits up when all appeared to be lost in the search of the Zeiss Holy Grail. Jack’s articles followed on from the first serious article on the subject of early Zeiss numbers which was written by Wolfgang Kind and appeared in the book Feldstecher Ferngläser im Wandel der Zeit published by Hans Seeger in 1987. I am also grateful to Peter Abrahams for copies of some early Zeiss catalogues and to Larry Gubas who has kindly allowed the use of figures provided by the Zeiss archivist Dr Wimmer on annual binocular production. I have met Dr Wimmer in Wetzlar and thanked him personally for his enduring support in this mad project.

Finally, I would like to thank Thomas Mix who has been an invaluable source of inspiration and sometimes welcome disappointment (with the demolishing of yet another one of my theories) and Richard Faltemair who has corrected some obvious

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inaccuracies as regards the early military models (such as DF95, DF8x, ODF95 and DF6x).

Brief History and Development

Early Models

The production of Zeiss prismatic binoculars (or Feldstecher as they were called by Zeiss in German) dates from 1894 just after Zeiss was granted a patent which was backdated to 9 July 1893. The first series was announced with the publication of catalogue T1 dated October 1894. The models listed in this catalogue comprised three binoculars with magnification 4x, 6x and 8x. There were also three Stereo Telescopes (Relief-Fernrohre) with magnification 6x, 8x and 10x.The latter are variously known as “rabbit ears” or “donkeys ears” and were obviously not a success. The 1899 catalogue acknowledges with a degree of understatement that “The Stereo Telescopes are not so convenient for the ordinary purposes of tourists ….”. They did, however, prove successful as military instruments due to their enhanced stereoscopic effect and also to the very important fact that observation of the enemy could be carried out without exposure of the head to enemy fire.

A second catalogue, still marked T1 but second edition, was published in April 1896.The main difference from the first one was the addition, following customer requests, of three monocular versions with a magnification of 4x, 6x and 8x and the removal of the Stereo Telescope with 6x magnification, a single example of which exists in the Zeiss Optical Museum (serial number 274).There was also an increase in the objective diameter of the 4x from 11mm to 14mm. Unlike today’s catalogues, prices remained unchanged.

The year 1897 witnessed a significant increase in the model range. A catalogue dated March 1897 and marked T1, third edition, introduced several additional models that is to say a Jagdglas (meaning Hunting Glass but referred to as Night Marine in the English language edition) in two magnifications, 5x and 7½ x, a binocular with a 10x magnification, and one with a 12x magnification. The latest additions, with 25mm objective diameter lenses, had sloped cover plates whilst the first models had and continued to have flat cover plates. The latest models were each supplanted by their respective monoculars.

The range of civilian binoculars was completed in late 1898 with the introduction of a binocular with interchangeable magnifications of 5x and 10x (mentioned in an article in the December 1, 1898 issue of Deutsche Mechaniker-Zeitung).It is assumed that Zeiss itself formally announced the new binocular with a catalogue or sales brochure but the actual date or reference of this announcement is not known to the author. This last model achieved the equivalent of today’s zoom lenses by means of a system of revolving oculars. It was called Marine-glas mit Revolver and has been immortalised by a famous user, Admiral Togo of the Japanese Imperial Navy and the victor of the naval battles of Port Arthur and Tsushima in 1904/05. His bronze statue, complete with one of these binoculars can be seen in Yokosuka in Japan beside his flagship the Mikasa.

A catalogue marked T19, fifth edition and dated May 1899, confirms the introduction of the Marine-glas mit Revolver and its related monocular. Other than that, it records an increase in the objective diameter of the 6x model from 15mm to 18mm and some minor changes, mainly improvements, in the field of view of the whole product range.

During the same early period Zeiss commenced production of binoculars for the German army. The forward to catalogue T74, published in August 1907, indicates that these were

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supplied from 1896. These comprised a model with the designation ODF95 (Offiziers-Doppelfernrohr 95–Officers Double Telescope 95) with a 6x magnification and the DF95 (Doppelfernrohr 95-Double Telescope 95) with an 8x magnification. The designation DF continued to be used on German army binoculars at least until the end of the Second World War. I have made a working assumption that both types were produced from 1895 and sold privately before being formally supplied to the Army.

Zeiss numbering system

As first suggested by Wolfgang Kind in 1987, Zeiss, during the early years, used a numbering system that started from 1 for each model and perhaps also for each magnification. This is evident from the following facts:

The highest numbers recorded for the 4x ,6x,8x and 12x were respectively 4099,11950,54273 and 11995.As all these binoculars had the trade logo Carl Zeiss Jena in roman text it follows that they were produced during the same period of time. If they all shared the same number sequence then there would not be such a diversity of numbers.

Seen at the other extreme, there is a Jagdglas Vergr=7½ (Vergrösserung is the German for magnification) with the serial number 45. Another example amongst several, being a Feldstecher Vergr=10 with a serial number 170. Had there been an across the range numbering system in place one would have expected to see serial numbers closer to 6000 or so and not lower, this being the cumulative production to March 1897 prior to when production of these models begun. This is not, however, the case.

As further evidence of the individual model numbering system there are at least thirty recorded examples of identical numbers belonging to different models. Some of these are:

Marine-glas mit Revolver monocular and Relief-fernrohr Vergr.=10 having the same serial number 20

Feldstecher Vergr=8 and a Marine-glas mit Revolver having the same serial number 43

Marine-glas mit Revolver monocular and Endfernungsmesser 4x having the same serial number 132

Relief-fernrohr 10x and a Feldstecher Vergr=8, having the same serial number 182

Relief-fernrohr 8x and a Feldstecher Vergr=12, monocular, having the same serial number 212

Relief-fernrohr 8x and a Feldstecher Vergr=8, monocular, having the same serial number 230

Relief-fernrohr 6x and Relief-fernrohr 8x having the same serial number 265 Relief-fernrohr 10x and Feldstecher monocular 8x having the same serial

number 347 Relief-fernrohr 8x and a Feldstecher Vergr=8, having the same serial number

436 Feldstecher Vergr=8 and a Feldstecher Vergr=6 having the same serial

number 474 Relief-fernrohr 10x and a Relief-fernrohr 8x having the same serial number

502 Marine-glas mit Revolver and Feldstecher Vergr=6 having the same serial

number 553 Marine-glas mit Revolver and ODF95 having the same serial number 670 Feldstecher Vergr=6 and Relief-fernrohr 10x having the same serial number

908

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ODF95 and DF95 having the same serial number 915 Monocular Vergr=8 and a DF95 having the same serial number 1093 DF6x and Feldstecher 6fach having the same serial number 7261 DF95 and Feldstecher Vergr=8 having the same serial number 7962 DF6x and DF8x having the same serial number 8439 Feldstecher Vergr=8 and a Feldstecher 6 Fach (Fach is the German for

“times”) having the same serial number 11519 Feldstecher Vergr=6 and a DF95 having the same serial number 12770 Feldstecher Vergr=8 and a Feldstecher 6 Fach having the same serial

number 13326

Whilst it is accepted that the size of the serial number makes it probable that some numbers might be misread and an 8 might, for example, be misread for a 9, this probability declines the more examples there are with identical numbers.

Finally and as will be noted from Table 3 at least 121,944 instruments of different magnifications were produced between 1894 and 1907. Despite this, the highest recorded serial number is only 58037(belonging to a Feldstecher 8 Fach-new form) This, together with the other evidence, strongly supports the argument for the individual model numbering system.

This happy state of affairs is sadly confused by evidence that there were new numbering sequences within a magnification as well as between different models.

There is evidence of this in all three models ie the 4x, the 6x and the 8x. The very early versions of these three magnifications had distinguishing features (as shown in the early catalogues) that did not make it to later versions. The main such features were:

Use of bare aluminium top plates instead of black painted brass plates Inscription “C.Zeiss,Jena” on the left hand side top plate instead of “Carl

Zeiss, Jena D.R.P” Inscription D.R.P. appearing on its own on the right hand side instead of on

the left. The magnification simply shown as a number on the flat disk between the two

oculars (at the top of the bending bar) and not on the right hand side as “Vergr=4” which was the case later.

The metal strip connected to the strap lug being very short with a pointed edge. Later variations having a full length strip with a rounded end.

The use of only four screws to attach the rectangular hinge plate to each side of the binocular. Later versions had five such screws.

The early examples of 4x and 6x also had a different objective diameter than later variants. Thus the 4x started with 11mm and then progressed to 14mm (possibly within as little as eighteen months) and the 6x started with 15mm and then progressed to 18mm in four and a half years’ time.

There is a recorded example of a 4x serial number 575 (with 11mm objective diameter and having all the early characteristics described above) having a higher serial number than an example with 14mm objective diameter (this being one with serial number 281 and having the later characteristics).

There is also a recorded example of a 6x serial number 1676 (with 15mm objective diameter and having all the early characteristics described above) having a higher serial number than an example with 18mm objective diameter (this being with one with a serial number 1120 and having the later characteristics such as having an interocular scale).

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The above evidence indicates that, at least as regards these three models, numbering restarted from 1. It may also explain why a 6x binocular (the instrument mentioned above) had a serial number of only 1120 after being in production for nearly five years.

It has been suggested that this re numbering only took place where there was a major change in the specification, such as the increase in the objective diameter. There is evidence of this re numbering also taking place with the 8x model and there are a number of such recorded examples. An example in my collection with serial number 474 has the writing characteristics of the very early 4x, 6x and 8x as described above (C.Zeiss,Jena). The metal strip connected to the strap lug is, however, full length and the number of screws is five as in the case of the later versions of the same model. A further example in my collection with a serial number 392 certainly has the characteristics of the later versions when its serial number would normally be expected to have the characteristics of the very first versions. The serial numbers of the known early examples of the 8x are all below 2000. The above evidence would strongly indicate that there was re numbering on all three models sometime in 1896.

It is quite possible that all models produced between October 1894 and early to mid1896 shared a single numbering system. With the hindsight of eventual production figures for each model we know that there were only 4,000 of the 4x, 13,000 of the 6x and 55,000 of the 8x produced in a period spanning thirteen years or so. With this in mind it would be hard to understand how there could have been 575 ( see reference above to an early 4x Feldstecher) examples of the 4x produced in the short period mentioned in this paragraph. A Relief-fernrohr 10x with the early designation of C.Zeiss,Jena and having a serial number 476 was sold in April 2007. Again, considering that only 1,000 or so were sold in the thirteen years up to 1907 this leads to the strengthening of the argument that all the early binocular instruments shared a common numbering sequence. It would be hard to imagine that so many were sold between October 1894 and early to mid1896. A binocular with the new designation of Carl Zeiss,Jena D.R.P Vergr.=6 and with a serial number 279 is conveniently dated March 1896. This means that the new numbering had already begun by then. The annual production figures provided by Dr Wimmer (see Table 1) indicate that about 4,251 instruments would have been produced by the end of 1896. The highest recorded serial number on an instrument with the designation C.Zeiss, Jena is 2321 (belonging to a 6x instrument). Other highest serial numbers are 777 for a 4x, 1976 for an 8x, 476 for a 10x Relief fernrohr and 274 for a 6x Relief fernrohr. If each type had its own sequence then over 5,000 instruments would have been produced by late 1896 and this is not the case. I cannot obviously be certain about this supposition but it has a high degree of probability. In addition, the beginning of production for the ODF95 and the DF95 from mid 1895 would have added 1,500 or so binoculars to this total. For the purposes of this note I am assuming though that this is what has happened.

The very first numbering system described in the paragraph above was replaced in 1896 by the system whereby each model had its own serial number range. This system itself was at some point replaced by one that was sequential for all models. This meant that the various models shared a single cycle of numbers (across the range). This point in time is believed to coincide with the introduction of the new models in August 1907 (made with integral hinges, amongst various improvements, instead of the screwed on hinges used on the first models produced till that time). With some exceptions noted in the Conclusion Section at the end of the article there are no new models with serial numbers below 120000 and equally there are no Feldstecher, Jagdglas or Marineglas serial numbers above 120000.

Well after the introduction of the across the range system Zeiss continued to use the “per model” numbering system on at least two occasions, these being for the military

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Fernglas 08 and for the Galan galilean opera glass. Later on and during the latter part of World War II a separate numbering system was used for part of the “blc” production and part of the “rln” production.

Cursive script and roman font

It is also known that the first models used cursive script (Carl Zeiss, Jena) to record the company name and address and also the model name and magnification. This was later changed to roman capitals (CARL ZEISS JENA).This change is believed to have coincided with the adoption of a stylised doublet lens as a company trade mark. Thus the company’s trade mark and binocular description would respectively be contained within stylised doublet lenses on the binocular top plates or as permitted by the shape of the particular binocular.

It has been suggested in the past that the change from cursive script to roman font (referred to simply as cursive and roman respectively in the remainder of the article) occurred in 1904 and this study attempts to establish whether this conforms to other information available.

The roman form of writing and new company trade mark, which were initially used on the early binoculars with the screwed on hinges, continued to be used after the introduction of the new models in August 1907. The trade mark in fact carried on being used until 1972 for binoculars produced by Zeiss in West Germany (without the word Jena) and until 1991 by Zeiss in East Germany (with the word Jena)

The cursive form of writing did not quite disappear once the new roman form started being used. A number of binoculars made for the Swiss Army are known to exist with the legends in cursive and with serial numbers that indicate that they were made after the changeover. Examples include Armee Modell 8x (essentially a DF95) with serial number 15422 (conveniently also dated 1907) and another identical example (ie Armee Modell 8x) with serial number 19639 .There are also three further recorded examples namely 121231,167881 and 265315 with Carl Zeiss Jena on the left hand top plate and Armee Modell Vergr=6 or Vergr=8 on the right hand top plate all in cursive. These latter examples are of the new form with the integral hinge and again, conveniently, also have dates, 1907, 1909 and 1912 respectively. The two binoculars dated 1907 are also marked with Swiss Army acceptance numbers. The DF95 type having a number 1136 inscribed on its interocular washer and the new type having a number 1184 inscribed on its interocular washer. This could mean that they were produced just on either side of August 1907.

Equally, there are a number of Feldstecher magnification 8x that display both the cursive and roman form of writing. The known examples are numbered 32934, 35377, 38879, 39225, 40928, 53984, 54001 and 54136 indicating that purchases spanned a number of three to four years. The instrument with serial number 40928 is stamped with the year 1905 on the right hand plate. If nothing else this establishes that the new lens logo was in place by 1905 as it appeared together with the writing in cursive form.

The left hand top plate of these examples has Carl Zeiss Jena in roman form within the new lens logo, D.R.P in cursive and Carl Zeiss in Cyrillic but in cursive form. The right hand top plate has writing in Cyrillic cursive form and states that the binocular is a

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magnification 8x model and a “manual military model” (translation from Russian).The Cyrillic text indicates that these binoculars were used by the Russian army.

Other Relevant Information

In order to establish the annual cumulative numbers produced for each model the following information was also considered and used where possible:

Type of eyecups used

Following research by Dr Hans Seeger into the development of the eyecups during the early period it is considered appropriate to provide some background information on the subject.

As may be noted from illustrations in the price lists and indeed from early surviving examples, the first models had eyepieces made of a single vulcanite unit (referred to as 3/3 in this article). The eyepiece can generally be divided into three parts, the eyecup itself , a central part with or without knurling to assist in getting a grip when focusing and finally the lower part where the dioptric divisions would be shown, typically but not always + 5 -5. This unitary or first form of construction is most often found in binoculars made on or before 1899.The very earliest examples in fact did not bother with any of the later niceties and were simply a smooth vulcanite casting without knurling or dioptric divisions.

As time progressed the top and central part remained as a single piece of vulcanite now with knurling, superimposed on a brass fitting showing the dioptric divisions.(the intermediate form and described as 2/3 in this article)

The final evolution of the eyepiece (the final form being described as 1/3 in this article) saw the eyecup being the only part being made of vulcanite and in its turn being screwed onto a brass fitting comprising the central knurled part and the lower part with the dioptric divisions.

The establishment of the type of eyepiece used can thus assist in establishing the approximate age of a binocular.

The majority of Feldstecher sold in the period from1894 to1907 were of the 8x model (estimated to be 48% of the total sold) and from information collected so far for this magnification it can be said that the changes occurred as follows:

Change from the first form (3/3) to the intermediate form (2/3), approximately 1898/99. The first known 8x with the intermediate form oculars has a serial number 8029. The serial number of the last recorded binocular with eyepieces of the first form is 7962

Change from the intermediate form to the final form (1/3), approximately 1905. The last known 8x with the intermediate form oculars has a serial number 26618 whereas the first one with the final form oculars has a serial number 26873.

Whilst nothing can be certain when it comes to early Zeiss binoculars it would be fair to assume that the changeover affected all the other models then in existence and the dates given above can provide an informed guess as to the relative age of a particular instrument.

As more and more information becomes available the gaps between the last of one type and the first of the next type will be narrowed down further. As can be seen from the above though, the gap between the different forms is already very narrow.

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Interocular distance scale

The early production examples had no interocular distance scale. This feature, which in later years became universal in its use, was meant to assist in quickly establishing the correct position for optimal use. The examples shown in the price lists up to and including that of 1899 show a flat disc on the top part of the bending bar (the one nearest to the oculars).This disk had no markings. It is apparent that this particular point was of concern to the designers because they provided two alternatives in helping the user easily achieve the optimal position. Firstly, they provided a form of “click stop” which could be changed and customised by the user. This “click stop” could be felt as the binocular was progressively bent and indicated when this position had been reached. Secondly, a tiny metal rod about 3cm long and resting in a pocket in the leather case was provided to tighten the bending bar once the optimal position for that particular user was established. Later examples had a sloping washer in place of the flat disk. The washer was marked with small white lines and the numbers 60…. 70 denoting the interocular distance in millimetres.

The usefulness of such a scale is debatable at best since the natural inclination of users would be to place the binoculars to their eyes and then bend them or open them out until a single circular image was obtained. The number on the scale is, to the writer, almost irrelevant. During the Second World War and particularly towards the latter part when there was a need to conserve materials, Zeiss removed the interocular scale washers without obviously reducing the ability of personnel to use the binoculars in combat. There were also a number of binoculars, notably the 7x50 green U boat and the 8x60 green U boat, that never had an interocular scale.

Regardless of its merits or demerits, the presence or otherwise of a scale is another way of helping us in establishing the approximate age of a binocular. Table 3 shows the latest recorded serial number of each model without an interocular scale and also the first recorded serial number with one. As in the case of the eyecup development, this information can provide a marker in time (this being approximately 1899) that can be used in the dating of binoculars.

Binocular dimensions

During the period from 1894 to 1907 the binoculars underwent a number of changes in dimensions in addition to subtle changes in field of view and other changes described in this article.

These changes, as far as can be ascertained, are recorded below and refer primarily to:

The diameter of the ocular tube (measured just above the point connecting it to the top prism cover).This is the first of the two numbers given below.

The width of the top prism covers (with the writing on). It should be noted that this cover was square in form before being shaped into its final form. Therefore the measurement will be the same whichever sides are chosen. This is the second of the two numbers given below.

Feldstecher 4x

Stage I

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17.5mm and prism cover of 40mm (up to about serial number 2500) (approx 1904)

Stage II

20.5mm and prism cover of 41mm (up to the end)

Feldstecher 6x

Stage I

18mm and prism cover of 40mm (same as the 8x) (up to about serial number 6000)

Stage II

20.5mm and prism cover of 41mm (up to about serial number 9000)

Stage III

20.5mm and prism cover of 44mm (up to the end)

Feldstecher 8x

Stage I

18mm and prism cover of 40mm (up to about serial number 8000) (approx 1898/99)

Stage II

17.5mm and prism cover of 40mm (up to about serial number 26000) (approx 1904)

Stage III

20.5mm and prism cover of 44mm (up to the end)

DF95

Stage I

18mm and prism cover of 46mm (up to about serial number 8000)

Stage II

DF95 and DF8x

20.5mm and prism cover of 46mm (all DF8x and all late DF95 with the final form of ocular comprising an eyecup only in vulcanite)

The DF95 and DF8x shared the same body except for the above changes. The ocular lens diameter of the DF95 was 9mm initially but increased to 11mm later (same as the DF8x)

ODF95 and DF6x

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The ODF95 had an ocular tube diameter of 18mm and prism cover of 40mm. The DF6x which followed the ODF95 had an ocular tube diameter of 20.5mm and prism cover of 44mm

5x, 7 1/2 x, 10x and 12x

My records show that they all had the same ocular tube diameter of 25mm and the same prism cover 55mm from 1897 to the end.

Construction of strap lugs

Strap lugs on early models were initially at the end part of a long metal strip which was screwed onto the body. This was almost the same length as the body of the binocular. In the case of the 4x, the 6x and the 8x reference is made earlier in the article on the transition from short strips to full length strips. At some point around late 1904 or early 1905 the length of this strip was reduced to about half the length of the binocular once more. This is more prevalent on the models with magnification 6x and 8x. The last known 8x Feldstecher with a full length metal strip has a serial number 24818 and the first one with a half length strip has a serial number 24960. The last known 6x Feldstecher with a full length strip has a serial number 5133 and the first one with a half length strip has a serial number 5386. Some models such as the 4x, the 10x, the 12x the Jagdglas and all the military models appear to have continued with the full length metal strip up to the end of their production run but this is not certain. The binoculars with mixed Roman and Cyrillic script (see note above under the heading “Cursive and Roman script) followed the civilian 8x and had a half length strip even though they were military.

Useful information regarding the dating of Feldstecher 6x and 8x

The statistics below summarise the author’s current knowledge and, as indicated, refer only to the 6x and 8x Feldstecher. The reason for this is that there is insufficient information on the other magnifications and the results would almost certainly be misleading.

As regards Feldstecher 8x only

First 8x with 2/3 oculars 8029 (approx 1898/99) Vergr=8

Last 8x with 2/3 oculars 26618 (approx 1904) Vergr=8

First 8x with 1/3 oculars 26873 (approx 1904) Vergr=8

Last 8x with 1/1 lug 24818 (approx 1904) Vergr=8

First 8x with ½ lug 24960 (approx 1904) Vergr=8

Last 8x with cursive script 28452 (approx 1904/05)

First 8x with 8 Fach 28480 (approx 1904/05)

As regards Feldstecher 6x only

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Last 6x with 3/3 oculars 1717 (approx 1899) Vergr=6

First 6x with 2/3 oculars 2175 (approx 1901) Vergr=6

Last 6x with 2/3 oculars 5956 (approx 1904) Vergr=6

First 6x with 1/3 oculars 6090 (approx 1904) Vergr=6

Last 6x with 1/1 lug 5133 (approx 1902) Vergr=6

First 6x with ½ lug 5386 (approx 1904) Vergr=6

Last 6x with cursive script 6635 (approx late 1904)

First 6x with 6 Fach 7082 (approx 1904/05)

Engraving and use of different metals

The main metal used in binocular construction was brass. There are, however, instances where aluminium was also used to possibly enhance the attraction of the binocular or simply to reduce its weight. There are also instances where both metals were used.

The process of writing on the plates also evolved over time. Initially the writing would be engraved onto the plate but at some later point in time this engraving was inlaid with a white metal to give a more impressive overall appearance.

There are also examples where the engraving was done directly on an aluminium plate which was left in its natural form.

Unfortunately, the author has insufficient information to make more than a mention of these particular developments.

Dates on binoculars

There are a number of recorded examples of binoculars with a particular year engraved on them. This tended to be when a binocular was purchased by or presented to an individual to mark a particular event. Whilst these dates cannot be taken at their face value as production dates, they give an approximate marker as to the number of instruments made of that particular model and magnification up to that time.

DF95 and DF8x

The military model DF95 (sharing the sloped top plate form of the civilian binoculars introduced in the 1897 price list) was officially introduced in the Army in December 1898 and the subsequent and similar DF8x was officially introduced in June 19022

I am advised3, however, that the actual use of the DF95 in the Army dates back to perhaps 1896 or even earlier. Its name suggests that it was designed or established as a requirement in 1895. The forward to catalogue T74, published in August 1907, indicates that binoculars were supplied to the German Army from 1896.

I am also advised that within the German Army there were two branches of the Artillery. The field artillery (feldartillerie) and the foot artillery (fussartillerie). At the beginning (i.e.

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1895 or 1896) both artillery branches used or had the DF95. When the DF8x was introduced in June 1902 the foot artillery used the name DF8x for its binoculars whilst the field artillery continued to use binoculars that were marked DF95.

The two binoculars are very similar in shape and differ only in detail. The DF95 originally had eye lenses with a diameter of 9mm and an ocular diameter of 18.5mm. The DF8x (and the later DF95) had an eye lens diameter of about 11mm and an ocular diameter of 20.5mm

The range of recorded examples (over 80 of DF95 and DF8x) includes several examples marked “Fussartillerie” but none marked “Feldartillerie”. It might be that the latter used the grenade symbol which is to be found on quite a number of the binoculars but never in association with the name “Fussartillerie”.

The same range of recorded examples shows that the recorded DF95 start from a serial number 98 and go up to a serial number 7962. There is then a total gap until serial number 12093. After that the numbers continue until 16599.

The earliest recorded DF8x has a serial number 7934 and the latest 16728. It is obvious that production of the DF95 was discontinued for a while and this coincides with the introduction of the DF8x. I am not aware of the reason for this. It may be that it was just the designation DF95 that was temporarily suspended.

The majority of recorded DF95 have a second number (besides the serial number) in the form of “No xxxx” and this appears on the right hand plate. These second numbers reach No. 5327 (serial 6884) and then eventually No 7322 (serial 16599). A minority of recorded DF95 have a different second number in the form of “P. No xxxx” instead of “No xxxx”. These second numbers reach P. No 1267 (serial 6294) and do not reappear on any recorded example after 12093. The P. No denotes that the binocular was purchased privately by an officer and had a number engraved on the binocular by Zeiss to denote this fact. (Privat nummer). I am advised that the numbers were allocated sequentially by Zeiss and that the officer had no choice in the matter. In the sense that the recorded examples show an increasing sequence in these numbers this information would appear to be correct.

The DF8x numbering system appears to have followed on from where the DF95 stopped (temporarily) and we find that between serial numbers 7934 and 10212 the second number was No xxxx. There are no recorded DF8x with a P. No xxxx in this range.

With effect from serial 10387 to 16106 almost all recorded DF8x have a P. No xxxx as opposed to a No xxxx. Out of 31 examples, 3 have No xxxx and 28 have P. No xxxx. The P. No cover the range P. No 1769 (serial 10387) to P. No 4093 (serial 16106). This seems to imply that even though the DF8x was accepted in the Army, the vast majority continued to be purchased privately by officers. The relatively high starting point of the P.No could mean that it followed on from where the P. No for the DF95 stopped.(see previous paragraph)

Within the combined numbers of DF95 and DF8x there is an instrument with serial 1736 marked August 1898, serial 10907 marked July 1904 and Armee Modell 95 (For the Swiss Army) serial 13294 marked 1906 Finally, there is another instrument with serial number 15422 and dated 1907. Judging from this information it can be safely assumed that about 15,500 were sold by September 1907 (the date marker for this article).

I have been provided with a copy of a price list for the German army dated 22 July 1916 which lists the DF95 at 82 marks. The price list indicates that it is for the foot artillery. At

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the same time it lists the DF95 n/A at 92.50 marks. It is evident and at the same time strange that nearly ten years after the introduction of the new integral hinge design, Zeiss was still selling, or attempting to sell the old design.

ODF95 and DF6x

The ODF95 was introduced on 12 March 1896 as the first binocular recommended by the War Department for purchase by officers. The binocular was never formally introduced in the armed forces. An example exists with the inscription on the right hand plate O.D.F.95 / A.P.K. No 3 (rim number 1938).This signified that it was submitted to the Artillerie Prüfungs Kommission for examination and acceptance. This obviously failed. This conclusion is reached from the fact that almost all the recorded O.D.F.95 are followed by a P. No and the range of these P. No closely mirrors the serial numbers of the recorded O.D.F.95 binoculars. Thus the last serial number is 2990 and the last P. No is 2799. It is possible that the “missing” binoculars were used for testing or otherwise. The O.D.F. 95 was succeeded by the D.F.6x which was introduced by the Army on 22 July 1902. This binocular was supplied to NCO’s. It is obvious from the designation of recorded examples that, again, quite a few were privately purchased by officers. These latter binoculars were also marked with a P. No . The earliest P.No for a D.F.6x in my database is 3076 and the latest 6411. It is quite clear that the D.F.6x P. No followed those of the O.D.F.95 P. No . The same applies to the actual serial numbers which carried on from the O.D.F.95 to the D.F.6x.

Jagdglas

Binoculars of two different magnifications, 5x and 7½ x were produced under the name Jagdglas. A third model produced, perhaps for military use, was the Marineglas 5x, which is similar to the Jagdglas 5x,and should not be confused with the dual magnification Marine-glas mit Revolver.

The three binoculars have recorded serial number ranges as follows:

Jagdglas 5x 511 to 11614 Jagdglas 7½ x 45 to 10532 Marineglas 5x 10504 (three examples known) Jagdglas 12x 10491 (one example known)

As there are so few recorded examples of these three models, only 40 in all, it cannot be assumed that they all shared a common number sequence, but almost certainly shared the same sequence as that of other sloped models ( see below).

Feldstecher 10x and 12x

Both models continued to be listed until 1906 (Catalogue T57) and no real changes were made during the lifetime of these models except some gradual improvements in the depth of field. Details of examples with cursive and roman script are given in the table below.

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Possibility of uniformity of numbering of Jagdglas, 10x, and 12x models

Mention has been made above of the surprising similarity in serial numbers between the above models. Mention has also been made in previous editions of the fact that there was a discrepancy between the total serial numbers then listed of 164,000 and of the equivalent reported total production of 124,000 to September 1907 and 147,000 to September 1908.

The possibility exists therefore, that some models shared serial production numbers. The first step is to examine the available evidence and see if any conclusions can be reached.

The latest information available to the author on the Jagdglas, 10x, and 12x models is as follows:

Model Last Cursive serial number

Last roman serial number

Jagdglas 5x 9618 11614Jagdglas 7 1/2x 8882 10532Marineglas 5x 10504 None knownFeldstecher 10x 9647 11295Feldstecher 12x 10378 11995

Whilst nothing can be certain, it is evident that there is no conflict between the numbers. Thus we do not see, for example, Jagdglas 5x with a last roman number 11614 and Feldstecher 10x with last cursive number 12000.

It is also noted that the majority of the cursive numbers end between 9000 and 10500 and the majority of the roman numbers end between 11000 and 12000.

A further observation relates to the diameter of the objective lens. The above models were initially produced with objective lenses having a diameter of 25mm. In catalogue T57 dated June 1904 this diameter was stated to be reduced to 24mm. This smaller diameter was maintained in the catalogue dated 1906.

It has been suggested that the change in the diameter was merely an acceptance that the actual diameter was somewhere between the two and that no more should be read into this. I tend to agree with this.

During a visit to the Carl Zeiss archives in September 2004 Jack Kelly examined available production records. The records for 1896 (just before the introduction of the sloped shoulder models) refer to a total count for all the models with sloped shoulders rather than the individual models as was done for the other glasses. This could mean that the 5x, 7.5x, 10x and 12x were treated as a single family and given serial numbers accordingly. Additionally the total production for this “family” was approximately 1,500 per year in 1905 and 1906 two of the largest production years for Feldstecher. It would be almost impossible to produce 12,000 of each magnification at that rate. It would be therefore fairly safe to assume that the 5x, 7.5x, 10x and 12x shared a single numbering system.

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Monoculars

Monoculars were allocated their own serial numbers just like their related binoculars. This is deduced from the fact that despite being available and listed in catalogues from 1896 up to 1906 the highest recorded numbers are very low namely: 4x 72 5x 1177 6x 109 7½ x 981 8x 1893 10x 1147 12x 1395 5+10x 206

If the monoculars were included in the same number sequence as their related binoculars we should then have seen a greater dispersion of numbers in line with the related binoculars. This is not, however, the case with a single exception being that of a Jagdglas type monocular 7½ x which was given the serial number 11030. This monocular’s top plate looks strange and it may be that the number was taken from the binocular series. It is extremely unlikely that so many monoculars of this magnification were sold especially given the low sales achieved by the other magnifications.

Further evidence that monoculars had their own serial number sequence can be found in the example of a monocular 8x which has the designation 8 Fach and a serial number 1893. The last recorded 8x binocular with cursive writing has a serial number 28485 and the first recorded 8x binocular with roman writing has the serial number 28480. As the monocular serial number is well below this latter number and in fact well below the last recorded cursive number it can be taken as almost conclusive evidence that the monoculars were allocated their own cycle of serial numbers.

Whilst the above resolves the question as to whether the monoculars had their own number sequence it does not resolve the question as to whether they all had a single sequence or not.

In order to resolve this, the monoculars listed in my database were re examined. I noted that the sloped shoulders monoculars starting with serial number 360 were of the 2/3 type. The first 8x monocular of the 2/3 type was number 892. I think that this means that the sloped shoulders had their own monocular series and so did the 4x 6x and 8x. And just in case it is suggested that perhaps the starting point of the 2/3 8x monoculars was missed, number 369 and number 654 are still 3/3 8x monoculars. In between there are several sloped shoulder 2/3 monoculars.This allows me to safely conclude that the 4x, 6x, 8x each had their own number sequence and all the sloped ones shared ONE number sequence.

What cannot be explained is why there are so few 4x and 6x monoculars recorded.

DF03

As the name implies this binocular pattern was approved in May 1903 and was initially manufactured by C.P.Goerz Berlin. The form of this model, as manufactured by Zeiss, is that of the new binoculars with integral hinges and is unlike the other early military binoculars described above. It had a magnification of 6x and an objective diameter of 24mm, later increased to 30mm. There are several recorded examples of DF03 but the

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number recorded for these is not the production number. It is, instead, an acceptance or stores number. The single example, to my knowledge, with a recorded serial number (this being on the rim of the right hand top plate) has the serial number 448062 and a stores number 14923.This puts its age around 1914. Similarly, leather cases for this binocular show a striking similarity to those supplied with the Fernglas 08 produced during the First World War. This information, although scant, would point to the fact that the DF03 was produced well after 1908 and therefore outside the remit of this study.

Zeiss Catalogues

Whilst not perhaps up to today’s glossy standards, the price lists of the time provide invaluable information in the attempt to trace the evolution of changes and improvements and thus help in pinpointing the age of particular binoculars. In addition to the notes on the eyepiece construction (see above) we note that there were changes in the objective diameter of certain models over the period 1894 to 1907. For example the diameter of the models with sloped top plates, which was 25mm initially (Catalogue T1 March 1897), was reduced to 24mm (catalogue T57 June 1904).The same catalogue indicates that the field of view was at the same time improved across almost the whole range. This is, however, more difficult to establish on an impartial basis when compared to the change in the objective lens diameter.

Up to and including the 1906 catalogue, none of the binoculars depicted showed the new roman inscriptions or indeed the new Zeiss trade mark in the form of a stylised doublet lens. The trademark, which was designed by Erich Kuithan and confirmed by a certificate issued on 24 June 1904, was indeed shown on the front cover of the 1904 and 1906 catalogues but not on the binoculars themselves. A note provided by Larry Gubas in Binocular List 50 (Peter Abrahams’s website) sheds some light on this apparent paradox. It indicates that according to the Zeiss archivist Dr Wimmer the trademark was designed in 1903 but was not used on binoculars until 1906. This date seems to be about one year later than my own estimates. A Feldstecher 8x with serial number 40928 and supplied to the Russian Army has the new trademark on the left and, conveniently, the date 1905 stamped by the factory on the right. This tends to narrow down the date on which the trademark actually begun appearing.

A summary showing the dates of introduction of the various models, together with some basic information on magnification, objective diameter, field of view and the first date when a particular model was mentioned in a catalogue has been produced and has been placed after Table 3. Readers may find this a useful aid in the dating of their particular instrument.

Other binoculars and instruments

For the purposes of this article production of monoculars, Marinegläser ( 5+10x) and Relief-Fernrohre has been taken into account in arriving at the total production (Table 3) but ignored for the purposes of Tables 1 and 2 .The quantities produced were low and unlikely to influence the outcome of this exercise. It is also known that other binoculars were produced in this period such as Teleplast ,Dosenfernrohr, DF3x, DF4x, possibly a Fernglas 08 style binocular in black japanned metal with a 4x magnification, a Theaterglas 3x (an example sold on eBay has a serial number 33) and perhaps others. Here there is very little information except for the recorded examples of a few of each. In some cases just a single example is known to exist.

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Sources of Information

My database of Zeiss serial numbers was the primary source of information. Additionally total annual production figures have been sourced from a document originally prepared by Dr Wimmer, the Zeiss archivist (Annual binocular production at Zeiss from 1894 to 1991) and available on Peter Abraham’s website. (See Table 1).

The table below brings together a number of statements made in the first decade of the 20th century and tries to assess whether they agree with the annual production figures used in Table 1. It should be remembered that the Zeiss accounting year ended in September and not December of each relevant year.

The claimed production is the number of binoculars mentioned in correspondence, advertisements or other documents as indicated.

The expected production has been arrived at using the annual production figures listed in Table 1.

Source of Information Date Claimed Production

Expected Production

Schomerus S.156 Protocoll 22.1.1900 to celebrate 20,000 Feldstecher

Jan. 1900

20,000 23,000

Advised by Hans Seeger April 1903

54,000 54,000

Publicity note from Zeiss (Nature magazine 68(1) page vii). This mentions inter alia that “The large output of our Patent Prismatic Field Glasses, of which considerably more than 50,000 have been sold……”

7 May 1903

Considerably over 50,000

55,000

Advertisement ref N.R.1243 in Illustrirte Zeitung

Jan. 1904

Over 60,000 62,000

Letter from Zeiss to the Danish Army offering reduced prices and claiming to have produced more than 100,000 binoculars

March 1906

Over 100,000 99,000

Zeiss statement that “Since the beginning of production and in about 14 years, over 130,000 binoculars were sold”

Feb. 1908

Over 130,000 132,000

It will be noted that the above information is in general agreement with the annual production figures and helps to give further validity to these .

Changeover from cursive to roman and exceptions

If the production figures referred to in Table 1 Column 3 are accepted as accurate (totalling 89,422 in the years to 1905) then the total of known cursive production (76,270 in Table 3 Column 6) would indicate that the change from cursive to roman took place around December 1904 or January 1905. This is in line with other evidence documented earlier in this article and confirms the hitherto expressed view that the changeover may

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have taken place in 1904. A particularly helpful 8 Fach monocular with serial number 1429 was sold on eBay in May 2008 and was dated by its then owner Dec 15th 1904.This demonstrates that the changeover took place on or before December 1904. It is noted that the military binoculars such as DF6x, DF95 and DF8x continued to have text in script well after the changeover date for the civilian binoculars.

Number of instruments produced

The total number produced of the first generation binoculars which is estimated to be a minimum of 121,944 (Table 3 Column 9) is in line with the official production figures which indicate a total production of 124,643 by the end of the accounting year to 30 September 1907.

Changeover to new numbering system

In August 1907 (Catalogue T74) Zeiss announced a new series of binoculars .These included the following: Telex 6x21 Telact 8x24 Silvamar 6x30 Telefort 12x30 Telactal 8x20

There were also two Teleplast of 3x and 5x magnification (described as Relief-Fernrohr in the catalogue) much smaller than the original Relief-Fernrohr of 1894 and different in shape. Finally, there were monoculars of the new 6x, 8x and 12x magnifications.

The first four were completely new models, whereas the Telactal was essentially the original Feldstecher 8 Fach; the suffix al being an abbreviation for alt (old style). Despite its relatively venerable design one can see from Table 3 Column 6 that 28,452 were sold between 1894 and 1904, and 26,000 in the years 1905,1906 and 1907.The latter figure being calculated by deducting the number known to be inscribed in cursive script from the total sold (Table 3, Column 9). It is presumably for this reason that Zeiss decided to continue its production.

The new models seem to have had a different numbering system than the previous “per model” system with numbers appearing to start from 120000 and being used in sequence regardless of the model.

My database of serial numbers contains, as expected, all the above new models in the new “across the range” serial number sequence but starting from 120xxx onwards. This sequence, which approximately corresponds to 1907/1908, includes what seems to be a mini series of Feldstecher 8 Fach .These are identical in form to the first model with screwed on hinges and could be what was described as “Telactal” in the 1907 Catalogue. They occupy a range between 132000 and 133000 (two examples being 132887and 132947, the latter dated by its then owner: KZ 1908. Very usefully, there is also listed a Swiss Army Armee Feldstecher Vergr=8 (new form) with a serial number 121231 (on the lower rim) and with a date 1907 above the Carl Zeiss Jena trademark on the top left hand plate. There is also a Telact with serial number 128828, Australian military markings (No3 MkII and I.M. 1735) and the inscription R.J.Pope 6 June 1908. Finally, within this new number range starting from 120000 there are also three Teleater (120443, 126380 and 129751).This last model was first mentioned in a catalogue in 1909 (T.76). An example in my collection with serial number 143203 was acquired with its original case and dated 1908 by its first owner Nancy Jane Spire, 12 rue des Jardiniers, Paris.

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Minutes of a conference dated 18 March 1907 (kindly provided in English translation by Jack Kelly) shed some light on production details of the new form of binoculars. Not unreasonably, the binoculars released for sale in August 1907 could not have all been made the day before their introduction. The note refers to an expected production of all models of about 1,300 to 1,500 per month starting April 1907. Thus a total of 7,000 could have been ready before the launch date. The same minute also refers to the fact that 300 Teleater would be produced by April 1907 so that they could be delivered to the public by September 1907. It also indicates that outside purchase of Teleater would cease by February 1907 meaning that until then Zeiss was buying in this model. This minute therefore explains why the Teleater appears in the number sequence “before it is expected to” and before it was listed in catalogue T.76.

Use of existing number sequences for new form binoculars

Following the commencement of manufacture of the new form binoculars but before their launch in August 1907, it seems that Zeiss continued to use the old series of numbers. We thus have:

1) Telact type but designated Feldstecher 8 FachThe following numbers are recorded55091, 55139, 55199, 55307, 55590,55650,56127,56262,56382,58037,58750 (The last one described as Telact but I have not seen it myself). Number 55590 is actually marked DF8x P.No 4350 thus carrying on the sequence from the old type DF8x with sloped shoulders. There are no recorded “old style” Feldstecher 8 Fach after 54999.

2) 6xThe following series of numbers exist for the old style Feldstecher 6 Fach

1)10000-11000 Feldstecher 6 fach old style2)11000-12000 Feldstecher 6 fach old style3)12000-13000 empty -see below4)13000-14000 Feldstecher 6 fach old style5)15000-16000 empty- see below6)16000-17000 empty7)17000-18000 Feldstecher 6 fach old style

The following new style binoculars exist/ are recorded12038 Jagdglas 6 fach (like Silvamar)12256 Jagdglas 6 fach (like Silvamar)14766 Feldstecher 6 fach (like Telex)14817 Feldstecher 6 fach (like Telex)15172 Feldstecher 6 fach (like Telex)15429 DF6x P.No 6717 (like Telex)15513 DF6x P.No 6801 (like Telex)15521 DF6x P.No 6809 (like Telex)17441 Old style Feldstecher

As can be clearly seen, the gaps in the old style feldstecher were used by the newform binoculars. Thus using the 8x sequence of numbers and the 6x sequence of numbers, a total of 6,000 binoculars in the new form were given serial numbers. This seems to tie in with the minute dated 18th March 1907 and referred to above.

Use of yet another series of numbers

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At the same time as Zeiss using the immediately above described numbering system and contemplating the uniform numbering system, one finds over thirty two recorded examples of early Telex, and Telact binoculars which have serial numbers between 246 and 12689. The vast majority of these are inscribed CARL ZEISS WIEN with the rest being inscribed CARL ZEISS JENA.

At this point it is worth mentioning research recently carried out by Thomas Mix and posted on the Peter Abrahams website http://home.europa.com/~telscope/temp/Mix.Zeiss-evolution.12.2005.pdf. This research takes as its starting point 1907 and deals with the development of the new models as regards the mode of construction, materials used, characteristics of the oculars, objective rings etc.

Using the results of this research and my database of numbers one can clearly see that, for reasons unknown, a completely separate and distinct batch of numbers was allocated for binoculars inscribed CARL ZEISS WIEN:

The early binoculars in this series have the characteristics of the very early new form binoculars (such as unified objective tube and bottom plate made of brass). This mode of construction ended in 1909 and around serial number 170000 for Carl Zeiss Jena marked binoculars. There are also later binoculars which have a mode of construction (such as a separate bottom plate from the objective ring, the latter being made from a brass edge over a zinc ring). This type of construction continued until 1911.

In conclusion, it seems that this series of numbers was totally distinct from the new numbering system lasting as it did for a period of four to five years.

Overall Conclusion

In my opinion and, as listed in Table 3, Zeiss produced approximately 120,000 instruments in the period from 1894 to the summer of 1907. At that point, and to coincide with the launch of the new models, Zeiss decided to use a uniform numbering system starting at or just after 120000. The honour of having the earliest recorded instrument with the new numbering system lies, appropriately, with my friend Jack Kelly and his Teleater 3x with serial number 120443.

This brings my research on the numbering system to an end. From the comfort of my study, I cannot see what else I can add to this conundrum. I might yet be proven wrong.

Thomas Antoniades

London, 25th December 2011.

Information Contained in the Accompanying Tables

Three tables have been produced and, in summary, provide the following information:

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Table 1. This gives details of the estimated annual production for each of the binocular models (Columns 4 to 9). Monoculars and instruments with a total production below 1,000 are excluded. Details of annual production of all models and their cumulative production are shown in the Columns marked 2 and 3.

Table 2. This gives details of the cumulative production for each of the binoculars in Table 1.(Columns 3 to 8) and provides a means of dating Zeiss binoculars within a reasonable degree of accuracy. The column marked 2 gives a cumulative production figure for all the binoculars listed. As indicated earlier on in the article, the numbering of binoculars with 4x,6x and 8x magnification restarted from 1 approximately at the beginning of the accounting year to 30 September 1896. This explains why the cumulative figures for 1896 are lower than those for 1895.

Table 3. This provides a summary of the latest information available on serial numbers (for instruments in cursive and roman) and has been used in the compilation of Table 1. It also gives an indication of P. No ranges used on military binoculars. Finally, it provides a total of instruments marked with cursive writing (Column 6) and then a total overall production figure regardless of the form of writing used. (Column 9). The total for the cursive production comprises the sum of the first form (described as First type) and the second and final form (described as Second type) these being denoted in columns 2 and 6 respectively.

Use of Table 2-Establish Approximate Age of Early Zeiss Binoculars

Table 2 may be used by readers to establish an approximate production date for a given individual instrument, given the unique serial production number found on the rectangular hinge plate edge. It should be noted that the cumulative production quantities for each model in this table refer to those at the company’s accounting year end which was 30 September and not to a calendar year end.

Thus, if a reader were interested in finding such a date for a Feldstecher Vergr=8 with a serial number 13000, this would be 1901.This would be found by looking down Column 5 until a number higher than 13000 was found. Equally, a Feldstecher Vergr=4 with a serial number 950 would have been produced in 1901 (Column 3).

The cumulative production table (Table 2) has been tested against binoculars where the date of production or at least the date of purchase or presentation is known and has been found to be generally accurate. It should be borne in mind, however, that it is not an official Zeiss document and care should be taken in its use.

References

1. Militärische Ferngläser und Fernrohre Second Edition 2002. Page 486

2. Militärische Ferngläser und Fernrohre Second Edition 2002. Page 83

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3. Production changes in Zeiss binoculars from 1907 to 1917 by Thomas Mix 2005.

4. Information provided by Richard Faltemair

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