World War Two binoculars repair and service.

Examples of World War Two binoculars that we repair and service. For this specialised work, quotations can be given. If parts need replacing, this can be a problem but, often, parts such as eyecups can be made and optics can be restored (recemented etc). Many WWII binoculars, once restored are of the highest quality and often unique. Hence, they can be highly collectable and also a pleasure to use (a case of ‘beating swords into ploughshares’).

German Zeiss and Leitz Kriegsmarine (Navy), Heereswaffenamt (Army), U-Boat, Flak, Fortress and Angled** binoculars. Most German WWII binoculars are designated by a three-letter code.
Click here for a list

** Example of a German WWII Angled binocular, cxn (Emil Busch) 10X80:

Before repair	First repair phase – stripped down

Other examples of German WWII binoculars serviced by Optrep:

Another U-Boat binocular, this blc (Zeiss) UDF 7x50, could be left on its mounting when the boat submerged. Its very heavy construction (weight: 5 kg) enabled it to resist water pressures up to 30 atm. Such pressure would crush any other type of binocular. blc (Zeiss) 7x50 fixed-focus U-Boat binoculars. The removable covers permit replacement of the moisture-absorbing silica-gel. These very rugged binoculars weigh a hefty 1.8 kg.     kqc (Jos. Schneider) 25x105 (45°) binoculars for aircraft identification and general observation. Earlier models (with a retractable section to the hood) had weak attachment of the OG barrels to the prism housings but this was later greatly improved.     A rare pair of blc (Zeiss) “Bibefe” 18x80 C/1 binoculars beh (Leitz) 7x50 with dessicant cartridges (OptRep fill all such sealed binoculars with nitrogen, the modern procedure).     A rare Zeiss 10x80 (80°) binocular, with filters on the right side only Carl Zeiss D.F. 7x50 M (Artl. Nr. 2396) Kriegsmarine binoculars. Note the new eyecups.

We buy German World War II binoculars and large binoculars. Send us details with, if possible, a photograph, and we will make you an offer.
More interesting binoculars recently arrived at Optrep for servicing:
Japanese WWII 7.5x60 (45°) binoculars. They use a Schmidt roof prism in the body at each side. Also, each rotatable eyepiece housing utilises a rhomboid prism. Altogether, this is a complex optical system but these binoculars give an excellent performance.	A Polish (PZO) 10x80 (45°) binocular made in Warsaw between 1954 and 1979. Based on the German 10x80 (45°), it is very well engineered and has some noteworthy simplifications. There are no built-in filters.

Examples of the principal Allied hand-held binoculars of World War Two. All serviced by Optrep
Top left: 1944 Westinghouse MI5 7x50, used by the US Navy and others. Based on the original Bausch & Lomb 7x50 model. Also made with minor variations by Square D, REL of Canada, etc. Sometimes has swing-out polarising filters built into the eyecups.	Top right: Barr & Stroud CF 41 7x50 AR No: 1900A, used by the Royal Navy. Has unique built-in filters (grey, green and polarising) operated by external knobs. Some produced with telescopic OG sun shades. After 60 years or less, the cement breaks down in the prism/field lens unit in each side but Optrep can rectify this and use permanent cement.
Bottom left: Bausch & Lomb 6x30, used by the US Army. Also made by other companies.	Bottom right: 1943 Taylor-Hobson Bino Prism No.2 Mk III 6x30, used by the British Army. Similar models made by Kershaw and other companies.

The WWII Barr & Stroud CF41 7x50 binocular is a unique and very collectable instrument, still used by seafarers today, but often needing attention when nothing has been done to them since the war.	Illustrated are the prism boxes, with eyepieces, prism/field lens units and filter wheels from a CF41 binocular. These are the prism units that often need renovating and recementing.
A less-common CF41 7x50 with spray shields, one open and one closed.
This Ross 5x45 Mk IV fixed-focus binocular was the type used by the RAF for maritime reconnaissance, including U-Boat spotting during WW2. A one-piece rubber eye guard normally fits across the eyepieces.
The Nikon 20x120 binocular has the OG barrels cast in one piece to give maximum rigidity, ensuring the best chance of maintaining collimation under arduous conditions.	The blc (Zeiss) 8x60 has an outstanding performance and was much favoured by commanders and captains of the Kriegsmarine.
The Nikon 20x120 stripped down for a full service.
Huet (Paris) 8x30 WW2 Naval binoculars.  Other sizes, up to 12x50, were also made.  They all used modified, offset Porro II prisms mounted in complex cage and platform assemblies.
A typical throughput of the larger binoculars in the Optrep workshop. Left: Soviet PNB-2 15x110 (45°) ‘Border Guard’ of the Cold War. Right: cxn (Emil Busch) WW2 10x80 (45°). Top Centre: kqc (Jos. Schneider) WW2 25x105 (45°).