9 x 63 Dr. Hans Hensoldt Wetzlar "Aero-Nox" Henso 1950

No: 50987

Hans was the grandson of Moritz Hensoldt, the founder of Hensoldt & Sons, Wetzlar.

Hans was a member of the board in 1928, when Hensoldt sold a majority interest of the firm to Zeiss. He was active in the political establishment in Germany during the 1930s and the war. After the war, he maintained his affiliation, and his strong opinions were an embarrassment to Zeiss. They managed to remove him from the board, after which he set up his own company in Wetzlar, manufacturing Hans Hensoldt binoculars; and selling the Reporter camera, which was reported to be manufactured in Italy. There were quite a number of binocular models, but most resembled the former Hensoldt models. There were many legal actions as a result of his business procedures and use of the name. Hans died in the early 1960's and the company continued until circa 1990. ( By Peter Abrahams )

This large bino weighs only 1 kg.