link here  | |  tools  |  share:
photo size: medium 640 new

Torfaen Corvine
recent  |  interesting  |  random  |  favorites  |  contacts  |  sets  |  tags:  
view large
Goerz DF03 6x24 Triëder Binocle 1914
Goerz DF03 6x24 Triëder Binocle 1914

Goerz developed the DF03 (Dienstfernglas) in 1903 for the German Army; until 1908 the DF03 did not have more widely extended tubes, restricted by the Zeiss patent, which expired in that year. The pre-1908 DF03 had 21mm objective lenses, with tubes attached to the bridge with screw on brass plates; the new model was increased to 24mm objectives with bridge arms integral with the tubes. Later, the DF03 was produced by other optical manufacturers for example, Zeiss, Leitz and Rodenstock.

The left prism cover is marked “DF03 6 Fach” (6x) and within the Goerz trademark prism, “UF/12680/Dienstglas” (Service Glass); the right prism cover is marked “Triëder Binocle”, and within the Goerz prism logo, “CP/Goerz/Berlin. “UF 12680” is likely a military inventory number. I have seen “UF” described elsewhere as indicating “NCO” (Non Commissioned Officer) but I am sceptical about this. The serial number “288337” means a production date of 1914. The under edge of the upper right bridge arm is stamped “K” meaning it was passed for military service by the Spandau Weapons Inspection Commission. On the lower left prism housing is engraved “55R II. This may stand for the 2nd Battalion, 55th (6th Westphalian) Regiment which was subordinate to the 26th Infantry Brigade, part of VII Corps. This Corps spent the entire war on the Western Front.

The early WW1 leather case was designed as part of the webbing, attached to the belt and shoulder strap. Inside the lid are, as is usual, printed instructions for user maintenance of the binoculars. It is generally in very good condition although one of the side retaining straps is torn. Later in the war, shortages meant binocular cases were made of ersatz materials.

The company was founded in 1886 by Carl Paul Goerz, making mathematical instruments. They eventually started manufacturing cameras and binoculars. Described as “a thorn in the side of Carl Zeiss”, following financial difficulties post WW1, they were bought out by Zeiss in 1927.


Note the two dots over the first letter E in Triëder.. This is known as an e-diaeresis and is distinct from the German umlaut which is only used on Ä, Ö and Ü. The diaeresis performs the same function as in French, i.e. it separates two vowels, e.g the French No-ël. Thus Triëder is pronounced “tri-eyder” rather than “treeder”. The e-diaeresis is used in German chiefly for proper nouns.

© All Rights Reserved
Taken on: January 13, 2024
Tags: Everybody's photos tagged with Goerz Goerz Everybody's photos tagged with 6x24 6x24 Everybody's photos tagged with DF03 DF03 more » Everybody's photos tagged with WW1 WW1 « less
Sets appears in:   • Militaria Vol 2    • Optical-Photographic   
Groups appears in:   • Retired and Loving It!    • *Welsh Photographers*   
Camera: Nikon COOLPIX P950, f/4.0, 1/320 sec, 15.2mm, ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Nikon COOLPIX P950
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure Time: 0.003 sec (1/320)
Focal Length: 15.2mm
ISO: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
White Balance: Auto
Saturation: High
Color Space: sRGB
Software: COOLPIX P950 V1.0
Show full info
Stats: 243 views
Goerz DF03 6x24 Triëder Binocle 1914

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: