KNIGHTS CROSS StuG Commander 10x50 Dienstglas binoculars 'blc'
A piece straight from our own personal collection is this fantastic 10x50 Dienstglas binocular, clearly maker coded 'blc' for production by Carl Zeiss Jena, which was once in the possession of StuG Commander Hauptmann Peter Nebel.
A recipient of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz) whilst serving as an Oberleutnant during 1942, Nebel would go on to be promoted to the rank of Hauptmann and assume command of a number of StuG units operating on the Eastern Front - including Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 210 from July 1944 onwards.
During mid to late 1944, StuG-Brigade 210 was engaged in typically brutal fighting within Russia and subsequently on the retreat into Poland. As with most units at that time and in the surrounding area, the brigade was subject to heavy losses; including the abandonment of much of their equipment in the region around Wierzbica, to the south of Warsaw. Indeed it is noted that the 2nd Battery of the unit alone abandoned a total of 9 of their StuGs in the area on the 17th January 1945, such was the desperation at that time.
Fortunately, this particular piece was saved having been obtained by the previous owner for a pittance; from the original finder of the pair who resided and salvaged them in the vicinity of the area in question in Wierzbica.
Aside from the previous owner opting to open/clean the internal lenses somewhat, they still remain exactly as found - with the delicate and yet also rudimentary name/rank personalised inscription applied to the left-hand prism plate.
They are notably also missing the Bakelite eyecups - a ‘modification’ that was undertaken during the period to increase the visible field of view, and one which can also be seen within numerous period photographs of Panzer/StuG personnel using such 10x50 binoculars.
Owing to internal cleaning by the previous owner, the optics now produce a wonderfully sharp image - with perfectly smooth focus adjustment on both sides. The internal H/6400 Strichplatte rangefinding reticle also remains clearly visible!
A truly unique and historic binocular which should appeal to any collector or optics, Panzer/StuG related equipment, and indeed possessions of Knights Cross holders etc alike!