Anybody know about old German optics??

[jackelope]

I grabbed these out of my grandfathers gun cabinet years ago. They're in desperate need of cleaning and are sort of foggy looking through them.

[Bob33]

Contact Close Scientific in Seattle and see if they can help.

The owner has been there forever. I think that binoculars didn't exist when he first started.

2316 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 728-2121

[jackelope]

Thanks Bob. I'll give them a ring.

[boneaddict]

I have a pair of Stieners on display in my "trophy" room that Idabooner picked up when he was in the military stationed in Germany after or during Korea.   They were my first binos.  I had no idea the history behind them until later years.  I think they were 9x30.   Kind of an oddball size, but they were some of the first "minis" I think.

[jackelope]

These were definitely "picked up" in Germany.

[Desert_Fox]

look like Zeiss Jena (East German Zeiss) to me. I have an same one with different etching on it saying Carl Zeiss Jena.

[Steve C]

"BLC" is the Nazi code for Carl Zeiss.    Dienstglas is German for Service Glass.  Definitely a wartime Carl Zeiss binocular.  Looks to be in good shape too.  You might try going on ebay and doing a search for the binocular there.  Lots of old wartime stuff is on the sales block.  If nothing else you can get some idea of value.

[jackelope]

"BLC" is the Nazi code for Carl Zeiss.    Dienstglas is German for Service Glass.  Definitely a wartime Carl Zeiss binocular.  Looks to be in good shape too.  You might try going on ebay and doing a search for the binocular there.  Lots of old wartime stuff is on the sales block.  If nothing else you can get some idea of value.

Wow...thanks.

[Biggerhammer]

These were definitely "picked up" in Germany.

  Cool glass!

Knew a Old Boy that had never stepped foot on German soil. Said he had sure flow over it a bunch and that was about all the excitement he could handle.

[jackelope]

My grandpa landed on Omaha Beach. He was one of the Tough Hombres. He eventually ended up in Germany. I've got a whole bunch of German "stuff " he picked up. They took a castle type building and used it as a base. A couple of the German prisoners gave him some of their stuff. I have 1 each of Hitler's youth program gold cross and silver cross. I'll not be able to know the history of the bino's as he's gone now.

[Skyvalhunter]

you have a pic of them?

[jackelope]

you have a pic of them?

I've got to do a little digging. Gimme a bit, I'll see what I can come up with.

[Biggerhammer]

My grandpa landed on Omaha Beach. He was one of the Tough Hombres. He eventually ended up in Germany. I've got a whole bunch of German "stuff " he picked up. They took a castle type building and used it as a base. A couple of the German prisoners gave him some of their stuff. I have 1 each of Hitler's youth program gold cross and silver cross. I'll not be able to know the history of the bino's as he's gone now.

Neat story, great men. They saved the world.

[Steve C]

I'd be at least somewhat concerned that there might be fungus inside...not a good thing.  Those are sure worth sending off for a clean and inspect session.  Cleaned up those will surprise you with how good they are.

I'd suggest you call Nicholas Crista, dba NRC Optics.  781-294-2039.  He's got a heavy east European accent, so be prepared for that.  He is my first choice bar none for optical stuff.  Call him and explain what you have.  He'll tell you if he has what he needs.  He won't do a thing other than inspect and formulate an estimate.  He'll then get your OK before he does anything else.  Nobody is more price reasonable.

[jackelope]

Thank all you guys. I've got a place to start. I'd live to restore them. I don't think id ever sell them but it'd be neat to get them fixed up.