Can anyone identify this ( UZO?)

Mubutu · 10-27-15, 07:42 PM

And give me some info on what it is, i suspect its a UZO but not really into these things.

Kptlt. Neuerburg · 10-27-15, 09:21 PM

Welcome to Subsim Mubutu!

Well that certainly looks like a UZO (U-Boot Zieloptik) or in English Submarine Target Optics to me. Are there any other markings on it other then what are in the photos you've posted?

Mubutu · 10-27-15, 09:25 PM

No other markings. It was traded for a carton of tea in Hamburg in 1946-47, would be fun to know if I can trace history of it further.

Curious if the few numbers it has on it means anything, 255 production number?

Aktungbby · 10-27-15, 10:02 PM

MUBUTU!

HAH! a persistant hunt-found under "WWII CARl zeiss 7x50 binoculars with hell/dunkel switch": Turns up a rare, WW2, German, U-Boat, "U.D.F., 7X50, blc" (Carl Zeiss), Binoculars! A very, heavy duty, rare type of WW2, U-boat binoculars, mounted in place, in the conning tower of the sub! These were built to withstand the crushing pressure of the surrounding seawater during the subs dive; The "Hell, Dunkel" switch moves smoothly but does not appear to change any filters or shades. £1400 (yours is in rougher shape but send Neal a bit of the proceeds!)

<note the flip open sight for swift alignment of the optic. Here's another:

Kptlt. Neuerburg · 10-27-15, 10:57 PM

Hard to say if 255 is the production number or if it has some other meaning, which is very possible. If it is the production number then with it being as low as it is, it could be pre or early WW2 and given the condition it's had a very hard life. Shame there isn't any other markings because if there where it could of at least told us which type of U-Boat it was used with.

Aktungbby · 10-28-15, 12:34 AM

The lack of an open sight and the red paint job are an anomaly as well. the term blc means CarlZeiss, emq or rin would mean CarlZeissJena as on Mobutus optic-w/o 3 letter designation. Others: dpv Zeiss Ikon A.G., Dresden dpw Zeiss Ikon A.G., Berlin dpx Zeiss Ikon A.G., Stuttgart

Mobutu's low serial # and the use of the entire logo instead of a war-time 3 letter designation( there were a hundred binocular manufactures-each with a three letter designation) suggest a prewar U D F. A lot of variety: http://www.binoculars-cinecollectors.com/U-boat_binoculars_2.pdf

Dowly · 10-28-15, 06:50 AM

Hey Mubutu,

Could you check if there is a serial number on this part, but the one on the front end:

It is possible that the "255" refers to U-255, which was surrendered intact to the British.

I also found similar pair of UZO numbered with "4" (U-4 survived the war, was scrapped) and "19" (U-19 was scuttled in 1944, makes sense to take such equipment with you).

Though, I also found "1328", which doesn't match any known U-boats.

The "hell/dunkel" switch is for bright/low light conditions.

danasan · 10-28-15, 07:13 AM

You may want to get in touch with this guy here:

http://www.fernglasmuseum.at/adminis...impressum.html

He is also in contact with Dr Hans Seeger, who writes books about binocs. Maybe they can help.

Aktungbby · 10-28-15, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danasan

He is also in contact with Dr Hans Seeger, who writes books about binocs. Maybe they can help.

INDEED! http://www.binoculars-cinecollectors.com/html/body_german_p1_.html EDIT: call or E-mail the Zeiss's achive guy directly Phone: +49-3641-64-2759
Email: wolfgang.wimmer @zeiss.com

Dowly · 10-28-15, 09:56 AM

The blc code for Carl Zeiss Jena was adopted in early 1941, so these are likely pre-1941.

Now you just need to find the serial number.

10-27-15, 07:42 PM	#1
Mubutu Nub Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 2 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Can anyone identify this ( UZO?) And give me some info on what it is, i suspect its a UZO but not really into these things.

10-27-15, 09:21 PM	#2
Kptlt. Neuerburg Admiral Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,279 Downloads: 54 Uploads: 0	Welcome to Subsim Mubutu! Well that certainly looks like a UZO (U-Boot Zieloptik) or in English Submarine Target Optics to me. Are there any other markings on it other then what are in the photos you've posted? __________________ "When you're born into this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show. If you're born in America you get a front row seat." - George Carlin

10-27-15, 10:02 PM	#4
Aktungbby Gefallen Engel U-666 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: On a tilted, overheated, overpopulated spinning mudball on Collision course with Andromeda Galaxy Posts: 29,984 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	welcome aboard! MUBUTU!HAH! a persistant hunt-found under "WWII CARl zeiss 7x50 binoculars with hell/dunkel switch": Turns up a rare, WW2, German, U-Boat, "U.D.F., 7X50, blc" (Carl Zeiss), Binoculars! A very, heavy duty, rare type of WW2, U-boat binoculars, mounted in place, in the conning tower of the sub! These were built to withstand the crushing pressure of the surrounding seawater during the subs dive; The "Hell, Dunkel" switch moves smoothly but does not appear to change any filters or shades. £1400 (yours is in rougher shape but send Neal a bit of the proceeds!) <note the flip open sight for swift alignment of the optic. Here's another: __________________ "Only two things are infinite; The Universe and human squirrelyness?!! Last edited by Aktungbby; 10-28-15 at 12:02 AM.

10-27-15, 10:57 PM	#5
Kptlt. Neuerburg Admiral Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,279 Downloads: 54 Uploads: 0	Hard to say if 255 is the production number or if it has some other meaning, which is very possible. If it is the production number then with it being as low as it is, it could be pre or early WW2 and given the condition it's had a very hard life. Shame there isn't any other markings because if there where it could of at least told us which type of U-Boat it was used with. __________________ "When you're born into this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show. If you're born in America you get a front row seat." - George Carlin

10-28-15, 12:34 AM	#6
Aktungbby Gefallen Engel U-666 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: On a tilted, overheated, overpopulated spinning mudball on Collision course with Andromeda Galaxy Posts: 29,984 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	The lack of an open sight and the red paint job are an anomaly as well. the term blc means CarlZeiss, emq or rin would mean CarlZeissJena as on Mobutus optic-w/o 3 letter designation. Others: dpv Zeiss Ikon A.G., Dresden dpw Zeiss Ikon A.G., Berlin dpx Zeiss Ikon A.G., Stuttgart Mobutu's low serial # and the use of the entire logo instead of a war-time 3 letter designation( there were a hundred binocular manufactures-each with a three letter designation) suggest a prewar U D F. A lot of variety: http://www.binoculars-cinecollectors.com/U-boat_binoculars_2.pdf __________________ "Only two things are infinite; The Universe and human squirrelyness?!!

10-27-15, 09:25 PM	#3
Mubutu Nub Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 2 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	No other markings. It was traded for a carton of tea in Hamburg in 1946-47, would be fun to know if I can trace history of it further. Curious if the few numbers it has on it means anything, 255 production number?

10-28-15, 06:50 AM	#7
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,052 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Hey Mubutu, Could you check if there is a serial number on this part, but the one on the front end: It is possible that the "255" refers to U-255, which was surrendered intact to the British. I also found similar pair of UZO numbered with "4" (U-4 survived the war, was scrapped) and "19" (U-19 was scuttled in 1944, makes sense to take such equipment with you). Though, I also found "1328", which doesn't match any known U-boats. The "hell/dunkel" switch is for bright/low light conditions.

10-28-15, 07:13 AM	#8
danasan Elite Spam Hunter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Flensburg / Germany Posts: 1,141 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	You may want to get in touch with this guy here: http://www.fernglasmuseum.at/adminis...impressum.html He is also in contact with Dr Hans Seeger, who writes books about binocs. Maybe they can help. __________________ "I invite you to go inside this submergible hole in the water where you can nicely hide from destroyers."

10-28-15, 09:56 AM	#10
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,052 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	The blc code for Carl Zeiss Jena was adopted in early 1941, so these are likely pre-1941. Now you just need to find the serial number.