The interior of the lid is printed in German giving the nomenclature and presumed instructions for care/use although I have not bothered to translate it. They are marked "SPINDLER & MOYER GUTTINGEN." The case is constructed of varnished linen/canvas with steel end caps while the belt loops and tabs (now missing) are of leather.
As with most, the closure tabs are missing, but the belt loops are present and unbroken. The case is in fine shape with light overall wear.
LEITZ WETZLAR." Leitz (Leica) is one of the most recognizable and famed names in German optics. The set screw on the bridge is marked "FERNGLAS 08 E. The hard rubber eye pieces have a couple of chips in the rubber, but they turn freely and focus. The binoculars exhibit wear and use throughout and you can most certainly tell that these were frontline veterans. Regardless, these are a fine set of binoculars with optics that are superb. This came from a small identified group that was split up between a couple of folks. Bartlow who was a member of the Machine Gun Company of the 329th Infantry Regiment of the 83rd Infantry Division. Interestingly, these binoculars were brought home by a Corporal Elton O. According to diverse sources, these Fernglas 08s were principally issued to NCOs and machine gun crews.
The overall condition is as would be expected of combat used binoculars, but the optics are excellent. These binoculars are in untouched, uncleaned, as-found condition with a wonderful patina. LEITZ WETZLAR GERMAN BINOCULARS WITH CASE ID Description Presented for the collector of WWI field gear or battlefield captured equipage is this fine pair of Ernst Leitz manufactured Fernglas O8 field binoculars with the original case. LEITZ WETZLAR GERMAN BINOCULARS WITH CASE ID NICE WWI CAPTURED FERNGLAS 08 E. LEITZ WETZLAR GERMAN BINOCULARS WITH CASE ID. Item: 294010127027 NICE WWI CAPTURED FERNGLAS 08 E.