Zeiss Field glasses

Pair of light alloy Carl Zeiss field glasses/service binoculars of Porro prism design. Magnification is x6 through 30mm lenses. The eye pieces are individually tuned to achieve focus and they are marked from -5 to +5. There is no central focussing wheel. The body of the field glasses is covered with a textured plastic material made to look like black leather which provides grip for the user. There are manufacturers marks stamped into the field glasses which read 'CARL ZEISS JENA', 'Dienstglas', 'SILVAMAR 6 x 30', 'NVA'. The rear of the pivoting mechanism is marked in degrees from 58-72. At the front of the pivoting mechanism is a serial number which reads '2560854'. A thin leather strap is attached for wearing around the users neck. The field glasses are stored in a hard brown vinyl case.

These field glasses were captured by the donor, Bruce Prosper, when he was attached to Mobile Guerilla Force 768 and took part in Operation Blackjack during March and April 1967. This involved guerilla type operations and reconnaissance well behind enemy lines. On day two of the operation the donors platoon was on point, when it ambushed two enemy couriers who were killed by a silenced weapon. As well as carrying Eastern Block booby trap items, both couriers were carrying a brand new pair of East German field glasses and a Chinese 'Chicom' compass. One set (compass and field glasses) were kept by the donor and the other went to the unit Platoon leader.