WW II German Army Air Force COMMANDER OPTICS TREE SPIKE SF14 RK31 SUPERB

  
14, Richtkreis RK-31, and others! 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. 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. Made of brass and steel, this Trench Mount / Tree Spike was manufactured between 1943 and 1945.

Designed to screw into the wood side of a trench (or of a tree), it still retains most of its original finish, with no damage whatsoever! Some marks and wear, but nothing that detracts. German wartime made, but has a wartime Finnish SA stamp. O verall a VERY NICE item that would make a PERFECT addition to any collection or display!