I have a Binoctar marked Zeiss 7 x 50 with a 1915 serial number and an IPD tension knob at the hinge end, but the problem is Zeiss did not introduce the Binoctar model until 1918 and Binoctars did not have IPD tension knobs. Zeiss did this sort of thing at the end of WW I. The binocular could have been an unissued example at the Leitz factory or more likely one which was there for servicing when occupation took place. The demilitarization would have involved removing all military markings from the prism plates and replacing them with civilian model ones while retaining the original serial number. I'd like to see it.Ī fourth possibility very similar to 3) is that it is a military model Leitz made circa 1943 which was demilitarized 1945-1946 for post-war sale. Often surplus military and stockpiled civilian model parts were used to assemble these products.Ĭould you post some pictures of your Aviosept especially of the markings. Note that as incredible as it seems some German optical manufacturers such as Leitz as well as Zeiss, Hensoldt, and Voigtlander began manufacturing and selling optical instruments such as binoculars and cameras almost immediately after occupation in some cases even as the war was still going on. I think this is doubtful but if so the binocular should have some military markings.ģ) The binocular was made post war (late 1945-1946) from stockpiled parts for sale to Americans. I can think of three explanations.ġ) Leitz actually did make some during the war for the civil market or for export to get foreign currency.Ģ) The binocular was made circa 1919-1931 but during the war was reconditioned by Leitz for military use and assigned a new serial number. It is also peculiar that a binocular model which was reportedly discontinued in 1931 (and the listing is a well-researched and generally accurate guide) was made circa 1943. The Aviosept was a civilian model binocular and war-time made civilian model German binoculars are not common particularly mid to late war ones. I maintain a small Leitz binocular serial number database (the Leitz microscope serials cannot be applied to binoculars) and 431011 is a mid-war Leitz number, probably 1943, post-war numbers not beginning until about 480000. You've got a valuable, rare and nice binocular.
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