Original French WWII 8x30 BBT Krauss BinocularsGerman WWII Captured & Wehrmacht Reissued
This is an original pair of French military 8x30 field binoculars manufactured by BBT Krauss of Paris, serial number 39828. Following the German occupation of France in 1940, large quantities of French military optical equipment were captured and subsequently reissued for German military use. This example exhibits characteristics commonly associated with such wartime service.
The binoculars retain a good portion of their original black finish, showing honest service wear, paint loss, and edge wear throughout. The exterior displays an attractive field-used appearance consistent with wartime handling and use. The original leather neck strap remains attached but shows significant age, wear, and surface cracking, but still supple. At one time there was a lens cover, but it was cut off and the ends are still on the neck strap. The black leather button flap is fully intact, but is a little stiff, retains studs and is not marked.
The optics are mostly clear with a little haze. The right eyepiece retains its original range finding reticle, which remains visible when viewed through the optic, with some minor internal speckling consistent with age. The optics adjust and function as intended.
Condition is very good overall.
