Voigtländer 6x30 Dienstglas

From the Collection: A set of German military binoculars from the Second World War

In the Second World War, as now, the Germans were known for excellent optics. This extended to military pieces, such as the field glasses issued to officers. The world standard for basic field glasses at the time was a simple 6x30, typically with a rangefinder reticule, and the Germans were no exception to this rule.

In a series of regulations issued in the interwar years, the Germans designated the 6x30 type as the standard for their armed forces, listed as the DF 6x30 (Doppel Feldglas - Double Field Glasses). These would be made mainly by a variety of German optical firms, including Karl Zeiss, which supplied the original pattern with its Silvamar series. These were produced in large numbers until the end of the war in 1945, although with notably decreasing quality.

The German military markings identifying these as 6x30 Dienstglas (service glasses)

The example seen here was produced by Voigtländer rather early in production, as it is still marked with the company logo rather than the standard three letter code used from 1940 onward. It retains its leather carry strap and eyepiece cover, as well as the leather button loop intended to prevent excessive movement. It bears German Waffenamt (Weapons Office, essentially the Ordinance Board) stamps on the arms as well. The optics remain clear and this remains to this day a great set of binoculars.

A German lietenant in Arnhem wears a set of 6x30 Dienstglas during the battle there in 1944