|
|
Post by nikonbob on Nov 11, 2006 20:16:59 GMT -5
Not exactly an ebay find as I do not use ebay, but I fell for some classic glass today from a local store. I picked up a Zeiss Jena Silvamar 6X30 binocular. Sucker I guess for old things with lenses, come to think of it my wife wears reading glasses and she is a classic. Nothing like having to research on something new and found out that they were made circa late WW I. It cleaned up nicely externally but needs to have the internal glass cleaned, haze, so there will be another search for how to take apart these things. Funny what you can come across.
Bob
|
|
|
|
Post by nikonbob on Nov 12, 2006 8:33:12 GMT -5
That would be as in classy, for sure.
Bob
|
|
|
|
Post by doubs43 on Nov 14, 2006 14:42:41 GMT -5
Not exactly an ebay find as I do not use ebay, but I fell for some classic glass today from a local store. I picked up a Zeiss Jena Silvamar 6X30 binocular. Sucker I guess for old things with lenses, come to think of it my wife wears reading glasses and she is a classic. Nothing like having to research on something new and found out that they were made circa late WW I. It cleaned up nicely externally but needs to have the internal glass cleaned, haze, so there will be another search for how to take apart these things. Funny what you can come across. Bob Bob, how did you trace the vintage of your glasses? I just dug out a pair of Carl Zeiss Jena binoculars that I'm certain date to WW1 or maybe before but every indication leads me to believe they were used by soldiers in that conflict. Other than the CZJ marking on one side, the only other marks are "D.F. 6X" and "502151". Each eyepiece is individually adjustable and have hard rubber eye cups. The leather on the body is complete but there are signs that the black laquer has been touched up around the center folding arms. Otherwise, the paint seems to be original. I bought these when I was in England at an antiques fair. They are in exceptional condition for their age and the case is in remarkable condition too. Everything about the case says "military use" from the extremely heavy buckles and strap to the body itself. Sadly, there's no maker's mark or any way to identify the case's origin. However, there's little doubt that the case is German as I've seen enough WW1 leather goods made for the German military to make an educated guess. They're nice glasses for their time and could be used now. I suspect they came back from France or Belgium with a British "Tommy". Just a guess though. Walker |
|
|
|
Post by John Parry on Nov 14, 2006 17:44:47 GMT -5
"Then it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, ’ow’s yer soul?”
But it’s “Thin red line of ’eroes” when the drums begin to roll,—
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it’s “Thin red line of ’eroes” when the drums begin to roll"
Almost completely off topic (but you did mention Tommy), there was a documentary on Armistice Day about Rudyard Kipling. He'd become embroiled in Kitchener's war effort (Your Country needs YOU!!). He was really gung-ho, but at a rally he was addressing, somebody at the back of the crowd shouted out - "Why hasn't your son joined up then?"
He obviously thought about this. His son was actually half blind, and had no possible chance of joining the army. So Rudyard Kipling went to see a friend - well connected at the War Office, and Kipling's son was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Army. He was declared M.I.A. at Loos, 6 weeks after his eighteenth birthday. Kipling was devastated - he knew his son was dead (witnesses had told him the circumstances of his son's death), but the fact that his son's body hadn't been identified tormented Kipling for the rest of his life.
Want to know how much Kipling thought of his son? Well, have you ever heard the poem 'If"?? That was written for John Kipling.
Regards - John
ps In another (Post WWI) poem, Kipling had this to say:
"If any question why we died,
Tell them, because our fathers lied"
|
|
|
|
Post by doubs43 on Nov 14, 2006 18:03:01 GMT -5
"Then it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, ’ow’s yer soul?” But it’s “Thin red line of ’eroes” when the drums begin to roll,— The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll, O it’s “Thin red line of ’eroes” when the drums begin to roll" Almost completely off topic (but you did mention Tommy), there was a documentary on Armistice Day about Rudyard Kipling. He'd become embroiled in Kitchener's war effort (Your Country needs YOU!!). He was really gung-ho, but at a rally he was addressing, somebody at the back of the crowd shouted out - "Why hasn't your son joined up then?" He obviously thought about this. His son was actually half blind, and had no possible chance of joining the army. So Rudyard Kipling went to see a friend - well connected at the War Office, and Kipling's son was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Army. He was declared M.I.A. at Loos, 6 weeks after his eighteenth birthday. Kipling was devastated - he knew his son was dead (witnesses had told him the circumstances of his son's death), but the fact that his son's body hadn't been identified tormented Kipling for the rest of his life. Want to know how much Kipling thought of his son? Well, have you ever heard the poem 'If"?? That was written for John Kipling. Regards - John John, I'm familiar with both poems and have a soft spot for Kipling who, in turn, had a soft spot for "Tommy" who he saw as maligned by the public except when needed. It's a story oft repeated in other countries, including the USA. I was not aware of the story about Kiplings son and knowing him to be half blind, I would never have allowed him to serve in the trenches. I say this as a man who served more than 24 years in uniform and sent his own son off to serve in the Paratroopers. He is a combat Vet of the first Gulf War and happily survived it. I'm reminded of another story of the Great War and an organization of young women who would haunt the train stations, giving out white feathers - signifying cowardice - to young men in civilian clothes who were of an age to serve. One such man smiled at the young woman who offered him the feather, took it and put it in his lapel. He then reached into an inside pocket, retrieved a Victoria Cross and pinned it beneath the white feather. The young women and their feathers quickly disappeared from the stations. Supposedly a true story. Walker |
|
PeterW
Lifetime Member
Member has Passed
Posts: 3,804
|
Post by PeterW on Nov 14, 2006 18:27:06 GMT -5
Hi Walker, Re your binoculars, you wrote: The number 502151 on your Zeiss binoculars would indicate that they were made in 1916. For a list of Zeiss binocular serial numbers and dates from 1894 to 1991 see www.europa.com/~telscope/zeissbin.txtPeterW |
|
|
|
Post by John Parry on Nov 14, 2006 18:36:32 GMT -5
Ha!
If the girls thought you were a serious coward, you could collect enough to stuff a pillow!
But on the theme of Armistice Day - One thing that impressed me was that it was generally accepted that the Merchant Navy had the lowest life expectancy of any of the Services during WWII. Turned out that the bomb disposal boys only had 10 weeks. Brave or what?
There used to be a saying for the Merchant Navy boys (who were in a reserved occupation and couldn't join the armed forces:
"Grouse you may, but go you must"
And they did
Regards - John
|
|
|
|
Post by John Parry on Nov 14, 2006 19:05:42 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by nikonbob on Nov 14, 2006 19:09:16 GMT -5
Walker I found info here www.europa.com/~telscope/Mix.Zeiss-evolution.12.2005.pdf . It looks like you have the military model, DF stands for double telescope in German and military models were so marked. Mine is identical but was made for the civilian market and marked differently. PeterW Thanks for the additional info, seems mine is 1918 made. Bob |
|
|
|
Post by doubs43 on Nov 14, 2006 21:52:50 GMT -5
Thanks to everyone who has commented on Zeiss binoculars. The two links are great and I've bookmarked them both.
John, that's a heart rending story. Wars are nasty business but WW1 was especially terrible in it's human toll. I've always viewed the Somme as an example of terrible decision making by senior leadership. I'm certain that you're familiar with the details so I won't repeat them.
My Uncle was in the US Merchant Marines (entered at age 17 in 1941) and made the North Atlantic journey many times to various ports including Russia. While ships in his convoys were sunk by subs, he was fortunate to escape unharmed. He is alive today, the last of my mother's eight brothers.
Walker
|
|
