stereoscopic rangefinder
Date: circa 1944
Inventory Number: 2003-1-0156
Classification: Rangefinder
Maker: German
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
66 x 100 x 36 cm (26 x 39 3/8 x 14 3/16 in.)
storage: 61.5 x 57 x 29 cm (24 3/16 x 22 7/16 x 11 7/16 in.)
Accessories: steel case; tripod with adjustable head; battery holder
Description:
A metal tripod holding an optical device consisting of two long metal pipes that can be folded together, each connected on one of their ends with a frame above the tripod that contains identical eyepieces. When unfolded, the two pipes extend sideways but keep an angle of about 30 degrees from the horizontal. Each of the pipes has a rectangular box at its extreme end with its edges horizontal to the ground and with a large lens looking forward in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the pipes and opposite to the side of the eyepieces. Each of the boxes has an adjustable knob underneath (one of them now missing).
The frame has several metal knobs for adjusting its height and orientation, and there are several plastic knobs with precise scales on the frame, one of the two tubes, and near each of the eyepieces.
The frame has several metal knobs for adjusting its height and orientation, and there are several plastic knobs with precise scales on the frame, one of the two tubes, and near each of the eyepieces.
Signedon circular nameplate above eyepieces: blc / EM0.9mR / 278287
on barrel: hSJ bLC EM 0.9 WR 278 287
on barrel: hSJ bLC EM 0.9 WR 278 287
FunctionA rangefinder is a device for determining the exact distance from the instrument to an object far away. This particular one is a German Army portable viewfinder for use by artillery units in determining the distance to their targets.
It works with the images coming from two telescopes that are looking at the same object but separated from each other a certain distance, in this case 0.9 meters. When looking through the eyepieces, the operator's brain will merge the two images into one image with a magnified perception of depth. At some point in the light's path before the eyepieces are reticles with identical geometrical patterns and at a set angle to each other such that the user can also superimpose them into one depth-enhanced picture.
In order to determine the distance to an object, the operator adjusts the angle of a lens at the end of one of the pipes until both the reticle image and the target image appear to be at the same distance (none is doubled). The reading in the adjusting know will give the distance to the target.
It works with the images coming from two telescopes that are looking at the same object but separated from each other a certain distance, in this case 0.9 meters. When looking through the eyepieces, the operator's brain will merge the two images into one image with a magnified perception of depth. At some point in the light's path before the eyepieces are reticles with identical geometrical patterns and at a set angle to each other such that the user can also superimpose them into one depth-enhanced picture.
In order to determine the distance to an object, the operator adjusts the angle of a lens at the end of one of the pipes until both the reticle image and the target image appear to be at the same distance (none is doubled). The reading in the adjusting know will give the distance to the target.
Historical AttributesProbably used experimentally by US Army.
Curatorial RemarksManufacturer coded per German custom during WWII period.