Doppelfernrohr Voigtländer 6x36, Kaiserliche Marine (T), circa 1914
Doppelfernrohr 6x36, produced by Voigtländer, Braunschweig (Vienna) for the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy) in around 1914, as can be seen from the marks impressed on the eyepiece plates, which show on the left the characteristics of the binoculars such as "6x36" magnifications and Below we find "Voigtländer Braunschweig" and serial number XXXXX, while on the right the Imperial German Crown with the M for Marine at the bottom and the assignment number with the letter (T) next to it, which we are still unaware of today of its meaning. Between the two objective lenses, a knurled wheel tightens the chosen interpupillary distance.
It is really very interesting to come across the binoculars produced in that period by Voigtländer, there were many models produced, different from each other, despite the same optical characteristics such as magnification and lens diameter. Solid binoculars, really well built but with characteristics, albeit "small", very different and incisive on the visual performance and aesthetic. They were highly appreciated binoculars by the senior officers of the Kaiserliche Marine, given the very high construction qualities.
What differentiates this model from other binoculars produced by Voigtländer, in addition to the magnifications and lens diameter, is a "special feature" (Okularhemmung - Ocular Locking System), i.e. the eyepieces are equipped with a system for memorizing and locking the visual focal length on every single eyepiece. Therefore, once you have found the focal length, simply rotate the knurled ring on the eyepiece tube and position it on "0".
The view is perfectly sharp, clear and collimated and all the mechanisms work correctly.
Voigtländer Braunschweig was created in Vienna in 1756, the company took its name from its founder, Johann Christoph Voigtländer and initially produced optical instruments, intended in particular for microscopes and other scientific equipment. Among the first creations were the Petzval type lenses, and others destined to become famous, such as the Collinear and the Heliar.
In 1840 he built the first lens for cameras, while in 1841 the first entirely metal daguerreotype was developed. He subsequently produced plate machines, built in a practically artisanal way.
In 1849 the headquarters were moved to Braunschweig, Germany, where Voigtländer & Sohn was born shortly thereafter.
In 1925 it was purchased by Schering AG. Voigtländer later oriented its production towards photographic devices accessible to all, and this allowed it to remain among the market leaders until after the Second World War.
In 1958 it was bought by the Carl Zeiss Foundation and in 1972 it was renamed "Zeiss Ikon Voigtländer".
In 1973 the brand became the property of Rollei until the crisis of 1982.
At this point the brand was bought first by "Plus foto", which from 1980 marketed Voigtländer cameras produced by Ricoh and Chinon and then in 1995 by "Ringfoto", but this represents more than anything else a long period of darkness. Finally in 1999 the brand was reborn with the purchase by the Japanese Cosina.
In 1840 he built the first lens for cameras, while in 1841 the first entirely metal daguerreotype was developed. He subsequently produced plate machines, built in a practically artisanal way.
In 1849 the headquarters were moved to Braunschweig, Germany, where Voigtländer & Sohn was born shortly thereafter.
In 1925 it was purchased by Schering AG. Voigtländer later oriented its production towards photographic devices accessible to all, and this allowed it to remain among the market leaders until after the Second World War.
In 1958 it was bought by the Carl Zeiss Foundation and in 1972 it was renamed "Zeiss Ikon Voigtländer".
In 1973 the brand became the property of Rollei until the crisis of 1982.
At this point the brand was bought first by "Plus foto", which from 1980 marketed Voigtländer cameras produced by Ricoh and Chinon and then in 1995 by "Ringfoto", but this represents more than anything else a long period of darkness. Finally in 1999 the brand was reborn with the purchase by the Japanese Cosina.