Zeiss Jena blc 12x60

Mfr: Carl Zeiss Jena, Germany

Date: WWII

AFOV: ~60 degrees

TFOV: ~5 degrees)

Eye Relief: ~19mm

Prisms: roof prisms inclined at 60 degrees.

Serial Number: 223504 (stamped on underside of body)

The blc 12x60 was used as a sight on a 4 meter rangefinder (see Seeger's gray book, Abb.140).  The unit shown above has a dark, nearly black finish with a red stripe, has a "2" mark, and has a plate reading "Rm-F.12x60 fur Em 4m R 40".  It has flip up objective covers with aperture stops (see last photo above).  Other units have variations including different finishes (such as tan), different markings, and a different style of objective cover which rotates sideways.   Another feature is a knob marked "Farbglaser" which selects optional light and dark gray filters.  The eyepieces have incredibly complex mechanisms for adjusting the interpupillary distance and for selecting sets of hinged face pads.  A lot of engineering went into the design of the 12x60.

The objectives on the 12x60 have a f ratio of f/3.8 and the eyepieces are an unusual 5 element orthoscopic type (3-1-1 elements).  The optics are fully coated.  In the right eyepiece there is a reticle with a cross hair pattern.  See the chapter by Kevin Kuhne in Seeger's gray book for details on the optics.