1) Observation and reconnaisance
2) Measuring angles of azimuth
3) Measuring angles of site and elevation
4) Measuring height of shell bursts
5) Establishing safety zones for advancing friendly troops
6) and to lay field guns.
The piece was often seen in different variations of employment in vehicles and on the ground proper, through the use of the tripod leg assembly, and the periscope assembly had a magnification of approximately 10X. It normally came with accessories such as the azimuth mount, tripod, carrying case, and other items such as a battery powered removeable illumination lamp kit and a "trench mount" which was approximate to a sort of screw that could allow the unit to be imbedded in wood or the ground.
The SF's optic tubes can be positioned vertically, or it may be swung horizontally to increase the stereoscopic effect. The reticle (explained below) stays upright regardless of what position one places the tubes.
Operation
1) Clamp tripod legs at desired length and embed firmly in ground, tighten leg clamps. Using spring plunger, clamp telescope on the vertical spindle coming up from the orienting mount. Level the mount by centering the bubble in the circular level. When the bubble is centered, clamp down the ball and socket joint on the lower mount.
2) Prepare SF. Release telescope clamping knob, and turn the telescope elbows to the verticle or horizontal position, as required. Set proper interpupillary distance on the interpupillary scale, graduated from 55 to 75mm, and clamp the interpupillary wing knob. If the i-p distance is not known, look through the eyepieces at the sky and move the eyepieces together or apart, until the field of view changes from two circles, or two overlapping circles, to one sharply defined circle. Then, clamp i-p wing knob. Next, focus each eyepiece independantly by covering one and looking at an object several hundred yards away - turn the diopter scale until the observed object appears sharply defined. The diopter scale on each eyepiece can be adjusted for known optometric prescription, if necessary. You can also place the supplied light or dark filters over the eyepieces, or attach sun shades to the outside, or as well as the extended tubular sections, about 8 inches long, that are attached to the sun shades to protect against rain.
3) Orient the SF. Select a datum point of known azimuth, and set this value of the azimuth scale (100-mil steps) and micrometer (1-mil steps). The throwout lever may be used for making large changes in azimuth rapidly. Turn the telescope with the orienting knob until the datum point appears at the center of the reticle of the right-hand telescope. The orienting clamping knob may be temporarily released for making large angular changes rapidly. Afterwards, only use the azimuth knob, or for large changes, the azimuth throwout lever, and the correct azimuth of the point observed will be indicated. For azimuths in the 3,200- to 6,400-mil region, additional numbers (0 to 3,200 mils) are provided, which correspond to the azimuth scale on the RblF (panoramic) telescope, which is covered in a separate entry.
4) Aim the SF. Direct the telescope on the object, then rotate the elevating knob until the object appears at the center of the reticle. Center the angle of site bubble by adjusting the angle of site knob. The angle of site is then read on the angle of site scale, which is graduated in mils. An indication of 300 corresponds to a horizontal line of sight.
5) Reticle. The most commonly recognized reticle, always located in the right eyepiece, is a grid, the horizontal and vertical axis of which are graduated in 10-mil intervals. However, various other types of reticle have been encountered in SFs. These reticles styles date back even to First World War Models. Hans Seeger documented other reticles seen as below (Note: not all are SF's check the legend):
From: Seeger, Hans, "Militarische Fernglaser und Fernrohre in Heer, Luftwaffe und Marine"
#1 - S.F. 14 manufactured by Zeiss for Foot Infantry (First World War).
#2 - S.F. 09 manufactured by C.P.Goerz (Berlin)numbered 8477. Similar pattern repeated on later Em-type rangefinders for vehicles.
#3 - S.F. for Foot Artillery (First World War). This particular reticle pattern came from a S.F. model numbered 2571 and serial numbered 393403
#4 - S.F. This same reticle pattern is also found in the following optics: 6 x 30 Dienstglas marked ddx - model Nr. 263253, 6 x 30 Dienstglas marked cag - model Nr. 123470, 10 x 50 Dienstglas marked rln - model Nr. 29258. Typically found in all similar optics with a marking of "H/6400"
#5 - The grid pattern (or "Gitterplatte") for a S.F. 14Z Gi. From the Heeresdruckvorschriften 448/1 of July 1940.
#6 - Rm F 12 x 60 for Em 4 m R 40 rangefinder device, marked blc, model Nr. 272289
#7 - 7 x 50 and 8 x 56 made by Leitz. From the Heersdruckvorschriften 448/1 of July 1940.
#8 - Beobachtenfernrohr ("observation glass") 12 x 60 for 4 m R (H) 36, model Nr. 221193.
Additionally, the SFs that were specifically delivered as standard equipment in tanks had either the grid-style or an "L-shaped" similar to Seeger's diagram and shown in one of the examples below. All SF's that had a reticle grid were designated in their markings as "S.F. 14Z G.i." The G.i. stood for "Gitterplatte" and these models could be seen with either the grid or L-shaped reticle pattern.
Featured Examples:
S.F.14.Z.Gi, H/6400 . Excellent example of complete tripod assembly for open field use. (From Paul Wills)
Detail of Serial Number and Identification markings (Paul Wills)
Front and back views (note eyepiece openings - attachment areas for shades)
The view of the "Gitterplatte" through the right lens of the SF 14Z Gi. (Paul Wills)
Earlier Zeiss manufactured SF 14 from 1934
Wartime image of distant Pzkfw V Panthers taken through the right lens of a SF 14Z Gi, presumably from another tank or observation position. Even with age, this photo still suggests the SFs ability to relay images of detailed relief of distant objects and terrain, especially that of the apparent and measureable height of the causeway on which the tanks are resting. One can also see panzergrenadier troops cautiously
crawling towards the top of the causeway toward the protection of the Panthers.
Detail of same image.
"SF mountings in vehicles were attached in various ways, including hand-cranked devices or simple lock-down levers. In any case, the delicate optics had to be taken down quickly in some way and stowed once their primary job was done, and the enemy to be engaged in close combat. Most vehicles had specific stowage boxes or cases built in to the interior of the fighting compartment for quick retrieval or stowage of these SFs.
SF 14Z Gi manufactured by Emil Busch A-G, Optische Industrie, Rathenow for military vehicle use. Almost all accessory optical devices made for vehicles, including tanks, were factory finished in a common sort of "field yellow" or "dunkelgelb". This color was not necessarily confined to use by the Afrika Korps which is a common mistake. DAK troops would, however, paint field-grey factory finished optics in this color.
Rear View
Front View
View through left lens
View through right lens displaying the unique reticle pattern.
This particular SF was field-painted in the dunkelgelb scheme after arriving in theater. Directly above the interpupillary adjustors and bubble level in the center can be seen the special bracket to which the forehead pad would be installed.
SF14Z Gi H/6400 manufactured by Hensoldt & Sohne Optische Werke A-G, Wetzlar, Germany showing the forehead pad installed for vehicle use.
Detail of forehead pad.
Tank commander of Jagdpanzer IV at his station. The SF 14Z is attached to the inside portion of the tank commander's cupola via a bracket (Verlinden Publications).
Above view looking down on the SF mounting position, and another of the tank commander at the same position (Verlinden Publications).
Crewman taking down SF to install or detach for maintenance. To the left and lying on its side is the SflZF 1a, or main cannon gunsight awaiting its turn to be re-attached to the ranging drumwheel assembly inside(Verlinden).
Crewman looking through maingunsight. SF mounting and crank-operated elevation assembly is seen right behind him as it extends out the commander's hatch. (Verlinden)
Clear inside view of the SF's mounting inside the JagdpanzerIV. The SF is attached to the central spindle and cranked up and down to elevate or lower the SF on it's track.(Verlinden)
On the "down-low". SF cranked down to enable observation without exposing the head or upper body to gunfire. (Verlinden)
SF mounting on Henschel King Tiger.(Panzerbasics)
Closeup of SF mounting in Henschel King Tiger commander cupola.(Panzerbasics)
Detail of SF mounting looking down on Henschel King Tiger cupola. Clearly seen is the lockdown lever at underside right. While not as sophisticated as the mounting on the JagdpanzerIV, It could be surmised that the unit could be torn down quickly enough.(Panzerbasics)
A view from the front of a Nashorn facing the back as the crew loads ammunition, the SF is seen on it's swing-away mounting on what appears to be a typically horrible winter day on the Ostfront.
More views of the swing-out mount on the same Nashorn.
The SF peeks out above the top of the Nashorn
From the fighting compartment of a Sdkfz 251/10 armed with the 3,7 cm PaK, a Landser takes final measurement of the objective and searches for targets before the crew moves into the next position for firing. He appears to be using the smaller 6x30 version of the SF.
Searching the plains. A Pzkwf V Panther Ausf G commander surveys the limitless plains.
The SF mounting in the Stug III.
Back inside the Stug. The commander and gunner sat in very close proximity to each other and pretty much in line with the driver. The commander's SF14Zgi is directly in front of his face.
Another inside view of the SF14Z mounting, now in use. The SF14Z itself could be rotated 360 degrees and could also be easily and quickly dismounted and used outside the vehicle...
...like so.
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