The "Scherenfernrohr" SF 14 10X50

The German word "Scherenfernrohr" means something like "shears-binocular". The name was given because of the two turnable tubulars which can be adjusted either for periscopic or for stereoscopic use. It was an improved model of its predecessor, the "Hypoplast ®" which did not allow stereoscopic mode.
This has been achieved by a new constellation of central joint which allowed to bring the eyepieces in interpupillary distance in both modes.

Development reaches back to the end of 19th. century and is associated with Ernst Abbe. Scherenfernrohre are the predecessors of the stereoscopical rangefinders.

During WW-I when the war became a "trench-war" the Scherenfernrohr became famous as a light and effective tool for observers.

As I am informed, Scherenfernrohre vanished in 1945 - in Germany (west).
But they did not in the former German Democratic Republic where they were in stock at the NVA (Nationale Volksarmee) until 1990 when the NVA stopped to exist.

There were different types in use: SF 14; SF 54; and some russian-made devices.
Due to a lack of information I cannot show details of difference.
I believe that the German-made devices were made by Carl Zeiss in Jena. Since the early 60ies, there were no name-plates at these devices any more.

SF-14, periscopic mode. The - hard to see - scale on the horizontal brass bar indicates the interpupillary distance.

  SF 14 , stereoscopic mode.

SF-14, stereoscopic mode; interpupillary distance approx. 70 mm.

first step mounting the Scherenfernrohr onto the tripod. At the right side of the joint you see the fine-rifled screw for vertical move with the fixationscrew at its front side (formed like a little handle).

Closeup of the underside of the right tube: serialnumber and type of division signs. (Horizontal 6000 Mil-Strich). Device number 1665 from 1961.

  Gear for horizontal turns. The white plate was for military purposes, to handwritten notices of directions and koordinates. At its right, the screw for zeroing the horizontal direction.
At the left, above the screw for horizontal measures.

The little black device next to re right eye-piece is called the "Gelaendewinkellibelle" a little waterlevel to determine vertical angle to an object. Division signs are 1/6000 in compliance with the artilleristic circle "east" (NATO-Standard is 1/6400).

This picture shows the additional lens which is common for "Scherenfernrohre".  This device enables a magnitude of 20x for the right eye to closeup details. (it also fits to the left tube).

a view from the other side....

Closeup of the backside of the right head. Shows the desiccant cartridge (with the little window)  and  the  attachment of the additional lens.  Pink colour of blue silica-desiccant indicates that  it has to be dryed  -  recommended into an oven at approx.  110° C.

Electrical illumination of sight.

Closeup of the little window for sight-illumination.

The "Baumschraube" - mounting screw to handle the SF in the woods for example - made of blued steel.

  Torch to read indicated angles at night. There is a little hole (approx. 2 mm dia.) into the round dome at the left. (with todays nightsight devices you would have been recognized instandly).

 
Accessory kit. There are 2 desiccant cartridges with wrech,  2 eyepiece-rings (black plastics), 2 pairs of orange filters (bright and dark).

a view into the storage container, a wooden, canvas-covered box. The Illumination unit is placed below the additional lens.

same view with the Scherenfernrohr inserted.

Fasteners of the container - the standard fastener of many military container of WW-II (you will find it at any german gasmask container of this time). As typically as it indicates: this is made in Germany....

Additional remarks:

Outer appearance of the shown instrument is very fine. It comes in its original dark-green painture and has not been repainted like the tripod is. Accessory seem to be complete as shown but the serial number of the "Zusatzoptik" does not meet the number of the Scherenfernrohr.
There is no handbook or manual.

The eyepieces presently cannot be turned and focused due to hardened grease. The inner sight plate is polluted with some little particles. There is maintenace urgently required.

There is a little fog on the prisms of  the right tube.

Tripod is the same as it is used with the "Grabensiegel P".  But there is only this one tripod available.

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