DescriptionYou are bidding on a VERY NICE example of a late-war WW2 German Luftwaffe Doppelfernrohr (D.F.) 10×80 Flakfernrohr Spotting Binocular Tripod! The AMAZING feature is that this Tripod comes with the EXTREMELY RARE Steel Transport Covers & Retaining Springs!This heavy-duty tripod was specifically designed for the German 10×80 Flak binoculars used by Luftwaffe anti-aircraft units for target acquisition, aircraft tracking, and fire control. Unlike the smaller Gestell 37 and Gestell 38 tripods used for other optics, this massive tripod was engineered exclusively for the large 10×80 binocular system.In 1936, Emil Busch AG of Rathenow won a contract to produce a 10x binocular for air observation for the German military. Leitz and Möller each produced competing prototypes, but the Busch model was chosen for its lighter weight (6.5 kg vs. 9.25kg for the Möller and 8.5kg for the Leitz) and greater field of view (131m at 1000m vs. 105m/113m for the Möller/Leitz models). Production began soon afterwards and continued through the war, when the Busch design was also produced by other firms in Germany and occupied Poland. All models have identical optical systems: 80mm cemented achromatic objectives with 280mm focal length, 70-deg eyepieces, 45-deg Schmidt roof prisms. Due to allied bombing, the 10x80s were primarily used for identifying attacking aircraft and directing the large 4m rangefinders, searchlights and cannons of the anti-aircraft batteries around German cities. They also proved useful on the battlefield, and a version with 20-deg inclined eyepieces was produced for use at sea. A single half of the 10×80 binocular served as Z.F. (Zielfernrohr) 10×80, a sight for the 8.8cm artillery.The D.F. engraved before 10×80 stands for Doppelfernrohr (double telescope). Only the early Busch models will have the manufacturer’s name, others will have the three letter code beh (E. Leitz, Wetzlar), dkl (Schneider, Bad Kreuznach), cro (R. Fuess, Berlin Steglitz), bpd (C.P. Goerz, Vienna), eug (Optische Präzisions-Werke, Warsaw) or cxn (E. Busch, Rathenow).Made of a large tooled alloy and aluminum and steel construction, this 10×80 power range-finding FlaK binocular Tripod is in EXCELLENT used condition! Manufactured by “cll” (August Baumgart Feinmechanik & Präzisionsmaschinenbau, Rathenow), it was repainted post-war, however, it still retains traces of its original wartime Dunkelgelb paint beneath, which is also visible on the transport covers!. The tripod is complete and fully functional, with minor wear and marks, due to the age. The canvas retaining strap is broken and missing a section, but that is an easy replacement, if one wished. Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of its original steel Transport Covers, which clamp over the top and bottom of the folded tripod and are secured by the original chains and springs to protect the instrument during transport and storage. These transport covers are EXTREMELY RARE, and in over twenty years of collecting I have only encountered one other original set! They do show some dents and handling marks from use, exactly as expected for components intended to protect the tripod, but there are NO cracks, weld repairs, or structural damage! There is some light surface discoloration where bare steel has been exposed over time, but 100% FUNCTIONAL as intended! An EXTREMELY RARE opportunity to acquire one of the finest and most complete original 10×80 Flak tripod sets available, especially with its seldom-seen original transport covers. Would make an EXCELLENT addition to any collection or display!
English