U-Boat binoculars

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stig58
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U-Boat binoculars

#1

Post by stig58 » 27 Sep 2015, 15:18

These U-Boat Kriegsmarine binoculars seem genuine, they compare favourably with others I have seen on the net and in books, do the forum members like the look of them, as I can’t imagine too many U-Boat commanders binoculars were confiscated or captured during the war!

Dennis
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Mark in Cleveland, Tn.
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Re: U-Boat binoculars

#2

Post by Mark in Cleveland, Tn. » 27 Sep 2015, 19:53

ehh, I have had several of these, could be pre war,war era, or more than likely post war manufacture.Leather strap is not to binoc! Leather looks sharp edged, new. Keep them if you want, but you* ain't going to pay for your grandchllds college education with these


stig58
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Re: U-Boat binoculars

#3

Post by stig58 » 28 Sep 2015, 20:01

Thanks for the reply, your right about the strap looks new. I haven't bought them yet someone is offering them to me. They look remarkably similar to others I have seen on the net for sale as genuine WW2. Did the original WW2 versions have makers marks on them?

Dennis

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Mark in Cleveland, Tn.
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Re: U-Boat binoculars

#4

Post by Mark in Cleveland, Tn. » 29 Sep 2015, 04:02

yes to makers marks, but these binocs are all over the www, me, Not my cup of tea, buy a flag or helmet,lol

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Mark in Cleveland, Tn.
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Re: U-Boat binoculars

#5

Post by Mark in Cleveland, Tn. » 29 Sep 2015, 04:04

Most all the WW2 German binocs I see on sites retail for $100.00 or so, in much better condition,NOT RARE at the least

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Sarge
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Re: U-Boat binoculars

#6

Post by Sarge » 29 Sep 2015, 08:33

Mark in Cleveland, Tn. wrote:Most all the WW2 German binocs I see on sites retail for $100.00 or so, in much better condition,NOT RARE at the least
I'd sure like to know where you are finding all these WW 2 German binoculars for "$100 or so." Very few I've seen in the past 10 yrs are even close to $100 and they would be the small 6x30s. The rest are going for a lot closer to $200+.
Sarge

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John G.
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Re: U-Boat binoculars

#7

Post by John G. » 29 Sep 2015, 10:26

U-Boat binoc.s are scarce in the world of Binoculars... and can be quite pricey..., however, condition and "optics" are critically important. The posted Binoc.s do appear to be the correct type ... but are in fairly bad condition (paint)... no strap, no case, optics unknown.... so I'd say in the $300./$500. assuming the optics are "perfect". A "excellent" pair would run $650./$1200. US.

These were also sometimes "Bridge Officers" Binoc.s on Surface Ships (indiv. issue), and many more were made than actually issued so even with "losses" they do turn up... I've "seen" probably a dozen over the last 50 Years... several with connections to the U-Boats that surrendered to the local shipyard at the end of the war. (Portsmouth Naval Shipyard). Any with at documentable history would be worth "more".

They were indivgually adjusted to the owners eyesite... and the markings are under the leather covers on the top... many saw service with the postwar German (and other) Navies, sometimes with the removal of the German markings (Really Bad news!)...

I also see many 6x30 and misc. German Binoc.s for $50./100. but without straps, cases, abused, bad optics, etc... but not the "better" ones... they can be quite pricey to those who specialize in optics.
John G.

stig58
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Re: U-Boat binoculars

#8

Post by stig58 » 29 Sep 2015, 10:59

Here is an interesting link to a captured U-Boat in 1945 and the U-Boat commander’s binoculars. They look very similar to the ones I posted. If you note there are no markings I can see on the captured binoculars in this story?

News paper story;

Resurfacing after 68 years: The binoculars taken from a U-boat commander moments after crew surrendered at the end of World War 2

Naval officer stands proudly displaying round his neck a pair of binoculars taken from a sullen U-boat commander moments after he surrendered.

Lieutenant Bill Elliott was pictured on the conning tower of the submarine wearing the newly-acquired binoculars while their defeated German owner (Oberleutnant Uwe Kock) glumly looks on behind him.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ar-11.html

Dennis
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