Original German WWII French-Made Entfernungsmesser EM 34 0.7m Range Finder by OPL with Tripod in Ordnance Tan

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely World War Two German Entfernungsmesser 34 (range finder 34 or EM 34), complete with the original mounting tripod. The range finder is finished in a lovely Ordnance tan finish. Really a great setup that will look great as part of any display.

The Em 34 is a "coincidence" type 70cm rangerfinder, and was used by German machine gun, mortar and some artillery units during the Second World War. It could also be used for reconnaissance purposes. The range finder is fitted internally with a series of prisms, beam splitters and mirrors, which divide the viewed image into two halves. When focused into one image, the range finder provides a calculated distance or altitude to the target.

This example still has the original data plate present, which reads Em34 over serial 688 next to the logo for OPL, indicating manufacture at Optique et précision de Levallois in Occupied France, rare to see!

The tripod does not appear to have had a data plate, so we are unsure of its maker. 

Mechanically, the adjusters operate smoothly. The unit appears to be complete and there are no missing screws. Optically, there is no damage to any of the glass elements, and clarity seems surprisingly good, though there is definitely some haziness to the optics, as it has not been serviced for decades. The optic tube measures 32 inches in overall length, and the tripod holds it approximately 12 inches above the surface. The leather covers on both ends are heavily cracking and crazing, and the strap on one end is hanging on by threads and may break off during transit, so exercise caution.

A lovely German WWII Em34 rangefinder from WWII, complete with an original tripod and ready to display!

A coincidence rangefinder or coincidence telemeter is a type of rangefinder that uses mechanical and optical principles to allow an operator to determine the distance to a visible object. There are subtypes split-image telemeter, inverted image, or double-image telemeter with different principles how two images in a single ocular are compared. Coincidence rangefinders were important elements of fire control systems for long-range naval guns and land-based coastal artillery circa 1890–1960. They were also used in rangefinder cameras.

A stereoscopic telemeter looks similar, but has two eyepieces and uses a different principle, based on binocular vision. The two can normally be distinguished at a glance by the number of eyepieces, one for a coincidence rangefinder, and 2 for a stereoscopic one.