Doppelfernrohr

The Doppelfernrohr, or in english binoculars, was a part of the germand field gear. It consisted of two lenses connected with a central metal body. All metal parts were painted black and covered in leather or pebbled synthetics rubber. A later version is painted in tan field color. Th 6x30 diesntglas was introduced as the universal binocular, replacing different earlier models. Picture above shows a zeiss on the left and a Hensoldt on the right. Several of the manufacturers are well known manufacturers today of optical equipment. The quality and weight of these binoculars make the useable even today, 80 yrs later.

The fernglas were univerily marked.The makers mark was on the left and they were marked on the right side with serial number and "dienstglas 6x30". 6 enlargement and 30 in diameter of the lens. They are marked wit waa on the bottom stem. These waa are small and often painted so they are hard to find.

Dienstglas was issued with a "behalter". These were made of blackened leather, kunststoff or bakelite. They had a lid with a closing spring flap over a metal stud similar to certain gasmask canisters. On the back they had to belt loops fastening to the bottom similar to early K98 pouches. On easch side they have metal rings for fastening of the containers carrying straps. These are often missing as the behalter was designed to be carried on the belt.

Die "regenschutzendeckel" made of tick leather showing on the zeiss above. These can be found in rubber, leather and even bakelite. Often missing from the fernglas as they were in the way of the user.

Picture above showing die "anknopflasche". This was a leather tab on the bottom of the dienstglas. The purpose was to keep the binoculars still and connectet to a tunic button when moving. 

The germans soldiers had a variety of other binoculars. Artillery binoculars, kriegsmarine and various optic equipment. This is a collector area of its own