Original Item: Only One Available. This is a rare Word War Two German manufactured Leitz Scherenfernrohr S.F.14.Z.Gi., in the original Dunkelgelb Topical tan, as used by the German Afrikakorps in North Africa.

In 1894, Carl Zeiss introduced a new and unusual type of prism binocular. Zeiss called its invention the Scherenfernrohr (scissors telescope) – an 8 x 10 power device fitted with adjustable twin periscopic extensions connected by a hinge. An observer could position the tubular “ears” upright and parallel to each other or splayed out horizontally for greater depth perception (stereoscopic vision), causing objects to appear in modelled relief, strongly distinct from the background and thus estimate the range. This hybrid between binoculars and a periscope enabled the observer to remain safely concealed in dug-outs, behind walls or even tree trunks with only the objective lens visible to the enemy.

By World War II the design remained virtually unchanged except for an upgrade in magnification to 10 x 50 and continued to be a useful tool in the Wehrmacht for general observation (in both vehicles and on the ground) and for artillery fire observation and direction throughout the war. This particular configuration, the S.F.14.Z.Gi., was developed by Ernst Leitz GmbH, who would go on to design the Leica camera after WWII.

It was to be used for: Observation and reconnaissance; Measuring angles of azimuth; Measuring angles of site and elevation; Measuring height of shell bursts; Establishing safety zones for advancing friendly troops; and to lay field guns.

It was often seen employed in different roles such as in vehicles being specifically delivered as standard equipment in many German armored fighting vehicles such as the StuG III, Jagdpanzer 38, Jagdpanzer IV, Panther and on the King Tiger where it can
often be seen poking out the commander’s cupola primarily as a safe method for
him to observe the enemy without risk to life

This example has unfortunately seen better days, and is missing the objective lenses at the ends of both "ears". The mirrors are still present, and we can get an image through the binoculars, but it is definitely degraded. There is also no case or tripod included with this example, which definitely looks to have been used during the Tropical campaigns.

The hinges on the bottom of the piece are unfortunately completely frozen, so we cannot see the maker marking. All We can see is F.14.Z and serial 14603, with the other markings obscured by the hinge that attaches to the tripod. The ear width can still be adjusted, but it is quite stiff from rust. The focus diopters on the eye pieces both still work, and both retain their bakelite eye cups.

A very nice service used example that could definitely be brought back by the proper hands. Ready to restore or display as is!

One of the more unique WWII battlefield optical systems developed by Leitz, manufacturer of the Leica camera. This hybrid between binoculars and a periscope enabled the observer to remain safely concealed with only the objective lens visible to the enemy. The Wehrmacht used it for general observation (in vehicles and on the ground) and for artillery fire observation and direction.

According to "Der Artillerist, Der Kanonier (1940) the Scherenfernrohr was to be used for:

1) Observation and reconnaissance
2) Measuring angles of
3) Measuring angles of site and elevation
4) Measuring height of shell bursts
5) Establishing safety zones for advancing friendly troops
6) And to lay field guns.

To aid ground infantry and artillery observers the Scherenfernrohr was used in conjunction with a tripod leg assembly. It normally came with accessories such as the azimuth mount and spirit level, tripod, carrying case, and other items such as a battery powered removable illumination lamp kit and a trench mount (often referred to as a tree screw which was approximate to a sort of cork screw that could allow the mount to be imbedded in wood or the ground).