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German WW2 10x80 Flak DKL

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Optics Apprentice
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    Posted: February/20/2020 at 13:00
These are a new set of the 10x80 'Flak' Binoculars that have come into my possession. The DKL code is the WW2 code for Schneider.

You might notice the very unusual finish, it is original but none of us can figure out why. One possibility is that they were purposed for naval use. They have the X on the side for special purpose lubrication.

Any ideas?



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/29/2020 at 06:42
Well these are the 10x80s in their shiny new mountings.

Designed to mount on a standard German mounting post, or adapter.

Friction handles on either side.





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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/29/2020 at 06:55
These were produced as part of the searchlight director commonly manned by Luftwaffe helferin at the flak batteries. They have a complex optical arrangement and an even more complex filter mechanism. Two sets of interdependently rotating filters via one control on the left housing. I would have hated to try and repair these, though it must be possible.

This pair have distinct Naval air abut them. But I cannot find any sources that confirm that.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/29/2020 at 08:35
Very cool! Were they originally mounted onto a fixed adapter of a flax emplacement structure or did they have their own separate, movable stands or tripods? If the latter, do you plan to try to find the stand designed for it, adapt it to a current tripod, or leave it as-is as a conversation/collector piece?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/29/2020 at 08:40
Eduardo would certainly make use of that setup for navel observations...
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/29/2020 at 08:43
I saw what you did there with the clever word sub. Haha! He would indeed!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/29/2020 at 09:50
Well from old WW2 photos, both seem to be the case. They were normally fixed to a  komandogerat that sent instructions to the searchlights based on the direct observation from the optics, but were also used on standard tripods for general observation.

This pair may have been used in the Kriegsmarine in someway. Not sure though.

I have a pair of WW2 German tripods, the aluminium version that is unusual in Europe, they are normally Steel here, where as in the US they are normally aluminium as according to reports, the lightweight tripods were all taken back to the US after the war.

These and similar mountings for the Zeiss 12x60s, 10x50s all fit to them. I have these other mounting frames as well. I'll strap one to the 12x60s I have and post a photo later.


Edited by DPI - March/01/2020 at 03:32
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/01/2020 at 03:41
These are the WW2 German general purpose tripod that were used for anti-air MGs and large format observation binoculars.







The MG mounting attachment. The red arrow shows where the original latching mount was before it was cut off and single 6mm pin used to secure the attachment to the tripod.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Scrumbag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/01/2020 at 09:46
Looks quite heavy...
Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DPI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/01/2020 at 10:45
I'd say about 9lb. Not weighed them or anything, but they come with a sling attachment and it feels about the same as my old SLR from the good old days.

I think the change to the MG mount latching came when they brought in the MG42. That must have jiggled around some on a tripod when fired and they pinned the mount instead. Still the pin drifts out with no problems and I can use them with the binoculars instead.
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