Zeiss 7x50H S-boat binoculars 'blc' + provenance
A simply superb grouping which came direct from the estate of a British Merchant Navy veteran - Ernest Hutchinson - that happens to contain a captured, specially adapted Kriegsmarine 7x50H binocular as would have been mounted on a German S-boat / Schnellboot for torpedo aiming!
This particular KM optic was produced with enhancement of its optical quality - a 'H' (Helligkeit) variant designed to offer greater light transmission.
Indeed, the optics still produce a very clear and usable image - and still feature a fully functional and working filter switching system!
Finished in a typical ex-Royal Navy type black overpaint, with factory-applied shipboard grey and red primer undercoat beneath.
Aside from the captured binocular itself, 3x personal document booklets belonging to E. Hutchinson are also included. This contains the Continuous Certificate of Discharge - noting all of his postings aboard numerous vessels over 20+ years!
Of especial note, amongst other things, is his service and first ever posting aboard the SS Lancastria - ending only a mere 2 months before it was subsequently bombed by a formation of Luftwaffe Ju 88s off St Nazaire and sunk in June 1940; resulting in around 4000 casualties...
The loss of the Lancastria was the largest loss of life during a single engagement for British forces in WWII, as well as also being the largest loss of life in British maritime history.
A truly historic grouping, with much further research potential, that features one of the rarest WWII issue Kriegsmarine binoculars!