DCLI Posted 15 July , 2004 Share Posted 15 July , 2004 I have a pair of German binoculars - see pic, obtained by my grandfather on the Western Front - any ideas of value? They work and are in very good condition. Are they rare or run-of-the-mill? I appreciate that things are only worth what people will pay for them. Regards Anthony Farrar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Posted 15 July , 2004 Share Posted 15 July , 2004 Anthony, I've read before that alot of German Officer's had to purchase thier own Bino's and so comercially produced ones are not as desirable as ones with Military markings on. I purchased First World War pair of commercially produced German Field Glasses and a German Bayonet about 7 years ago at a house clearance for £30 and to tell you the truth i don't know if that was a good deal or not. But like you said it was what i was prepared to pay at the time. By the way the Bino's were in no where near as nice condition as yours and there was no case, either. Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Chip Minx Posted 24 July , 2004 Share Posted 24 July , 2004 I agree with Ski, in that though commonly drafted into service by all armies, commercial binoculars are not as collectable as issued versions, as there is no way to prove that they were used by the army. Interest would be higher if there was some provenance that could associate the piece with a particular soldier. Chip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 24 July , 2004 Share Posted 24 July , 2004 Very nice binoculars DCLI!!!! I have a military pair that belonged to my Granddad. Not in good shape anymore, but fully functionally. For me its priceless of course, though I would be curious about today’s collectors' value Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.S.Regt. Posted 24 July , 2004 Share Posted 24 July , 2004 Egbert The fernglas 08 are most likley the most common of the military issue peices I bought a decent pair for 50 U.S. a couple of years ago but no case or strap. It must be nice to have so much family peices I have noticed you posting a few. It does not matter about the condition in your case you will never see another that belonged to your grandfather. Best regards N.S.Regt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Chip Minx Posted 24 July , 2004 Share Posted 24 July , 2004 Egbert, How did your grandfather come to have the binoculars? They were not standard issue for every soldier, so perhaps he was an Unteroffizier? I agree that you have a treasure considering that they were your grandfathers. My grandfather was in the 314.Field Signal Battalion of the 89th Division (U.S.Army) and all he had kept were his dogtags, divisional history, his promotion document to the rank of Master Signal Electrician and a couple of photos. I was very fortunate that he lived to a ripe old age and I got to interview him on tape and get all of the stories that I had heard in my youth in his own words. Do you know what unit your grandfather was in? Did he leave you any other items? Best regards, Chip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 25 July , 2004 Share Posted 25 July , 2004 Chip , Through the generations my father and myself well kept Granddads belongings from the war: original officer trunk (a real nice piece of wood), his field binoculars, all medals (Iron Cross), dog tag, all field letters 1914-1918, his rugged briefcase which includes the usual belongings like pictures from home, brush, some money etc, manicure set, pipe, the original drawing from his aide where he was provisional buried, game cards, dried flowers from Flanders, harmonicas, pocket watches, etc. I occasionally post some of the artifacts here on this forum. So with the contents of the depicted trunk my very own WW1 obsession started..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGEL Posted 25 July , 2004 Share Posted 25 July , 2004 All i can say is that in the late 60s i sold my grandads medals for nothing-----now i am told they would fetch in excess of £3500---make your own mind up !!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 25 July , 2004 Share Posted 25 July , 2004 Nigel, you're not alone with this kind of stupidity: when I was about 12 years old I sold Granddads cigarette holder, a beautiful piece of art made out of meerschaum and amber for 3L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 25 July , 2004 Share Posted 25 July , 2004 ...but i still have the meerschaum/amber pipe (in which I still smell cheap Flanders Field tobacco) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGEL Posted 25 July , 2004 Share Posted 25 July , 2004 cheap flaunders field tobacco---hmmm----we believe you Egbert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Posted 25 July , 2004 Share Posted 25 July , 2004 Egbert...... Snap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 25 July , 2004 Share Posted 25 July , 2004 I have a nice pair of zeiss marine glasses to a named officer of the 124th Infanterie Reg. I think they were a private purchase of someone who was quite well off - perhaps a going present from parents. Valuing binocs is a specialist area. Some early prismatics are worth a lot of money. Try a google search on the manufacturers name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCLI Posted 25 July , 2004 Author Share Posted 25 July , 2004 In response to Chip, my grandfather was DCLI, either he or another relative (his brother was Worcesters/MGC) liberated the binoculars from someone- maybe they found them - spoils of war and all that... My granfather served in Ypres, the Somme etc. His brother (DOW in 1918) served, probably everytwhere. They are not a possession of great sentimental value as the history behind them is vague. However, I don't intend selling them as they are genuine Western Front militaria and for that reason are very special. Regards to all who replied. Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 25 July , 2004 Share Posted 25 July , 2004 Ski, What's your story behind those binoculars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Posted 25 July , 2004 Share Posted 25 July , 2004 Egbert, These are the pair that i bought in a lot with a German bayonet, about 7 years ago, from a house clearance. Spoils of war i suppose, brought home as a souvenir! I always thought they were commercially made ones? Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Chip Minx Posted 25 July , 2004 Share Posted 25 July , 2004 Egbert, I have a nice collection of German (and other countries as well) identity disks. I would really enjoy seeing your grandfathers, if you would post it. If there is anything that you would be interested in seeing, just ask. I have some very nice examples from desirable units. Quite a few of the disks shown in pictures and drawings in Peter Meinlschmidt's book on German tags are from my collection. Also, you mentioned that your grandfather had an Iron Cross. Do you still have the document? It would be interesting to see that as well. To Ianw, The 124.Württemberg I.R. was quite renowned for their participation in the Capporetto battles. Perhaps your officer knew the regiment's Pour le Merite winner, Erwin Rommel? Chip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCLI Posted 26 July , 2004 Author Share Posted 26 July , 2004 Egbert You lucky man. Re mt granfather, I have some documentation, the medals were lost, as were his collar badges. I have his miniatures, the binoculars and some photos. I also have, what is very rare, a copy of the citation read out when he received his MM. I guess we all have bits and pieces - I also have some great memories of the man himself. Sadly I never met his brother or brother-in-law. regards Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now