Original German WWII Carl Zeiss Jena D.F. 7x50 Doppelfernrohr Binoculars with Leather Case - Possibly Captured by British 11th SAS Special Air Service Battalion

Original Item: Only One Available. The Doppelfernrohr 7 x 50 (Double Telescope 7×50) was one of the most used German issued binoculars of WWII. These are fully functional with clear optics and made by one of the very best makers at the time (still in business today!). They are nicely marked as follows:

CARL ZEISS
JENA

D.F. 7 x 50
225298

This denotes manufacture by the famous Carl Zeiss, Militärabteilung Jena. The binoculars are missing their strap, but the optics are in good shape although they are a bit cloudy with some residue.

Also included is the excellent black leather carry case with working spring loaded closure strap. The case is in very good condition, but the carrying strap is gone. The case is maker-marked to CARL ZEISS / JENA on the lid. Also on the lid is the stamp:

S A S 11

This could denote that the binoculars were captured by the British 11th Battalion, Special Air Service. The 11th SAS Battalion in WWII, originally No. 2 Commando, was a pioneering parachute/commando unit involved in early, daring raids in the Mediterranean (Crete, Sicily, Italy), often alongside the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG), targeting airfields and railways, but suffered heavy losses in initial failed missions before evolving into the core of the post-war SAS, focusing on deep penetration raids, Jeep warfare, and disrupting Axis supply lines in North Africa and Europe.

We have no provenance to back up that this was a British SAS capture, but there is no acronym used by the Germans that matches the stamp. A good research project!

This is overall an excellent example of the classic eye piece for German infantry officers during WW2!