EM 34 Range Finder : German Army

German hand-held EM 34 'coincidence' type stereoscopic range finder, finished in a textured pale green/grey paint. Fitted internally are a series of prisms, beam splitters and mirrors which will divide the viewed image into two halves. When focussed into one image, the range finder provides a distance or altitude to the target. The item consists of a 53mm diameter tube with glass lenses in rotating housings fitted at each end. These housings can be positioned for viewing or can be slid under raised protective covers when not in use. The centre section contains a pair of adjustable viewing lenses, with a shaped black plastic face rest which hinges open to permit access to the lenses. Fitted to each end of the range finder are protective brown leather cups, each containing a capped tuning wheel marked 'H' and 'E' respectively. The protective end caps are secured with small chains to prevent loss. There is a 'V' notch and bladed steel sight fitted in the centre above the left eyepiece and a dovetailed steel guide rail, designed to fit a battery operated lighting system for use in low light conditions. Two ribbed black bakelite collars are clamped to the tube on either side of the plastic face rest. There are also two steel strap swivels on sliding rings fitted towards each end of the range finder. At the bottom centre is a threaded aperture for attachment to a small tripod or a steel handle.

Unknown. This type of EM 34 range finder was used by German machine gun, mortar and some artillery units during the Second World War. The range finder is fitted internally with a series of prisms, beam splitters and mirrors, which divide the viewed image into two halves. When focussed into one image, the range finder provides a calculated distance or altitude to the target.

• Adjusting Lath : EM 34 Stereoscopic Range Finder
• Storage box and spare parts : EM 34 Stereoscopic Range Finder