The legendary AST‑B artillery periscopic binoculars were originally standard issue with the Czechoslovak People’s Army. More info
The AST-B vz.53 10×45 twin periscopic binoculars are a military optical instrument designed primarily for artillery reconnaissance, terrain and target observation, determining their positions, and correcting artillery fire. The periscopic arrangement positions the objective lenses above the level of the eyepieces, allowing the observer to view the area over the edge of a trench, a ridge or other obstacle, whilst remaining lower down in cover.
A pair of separate telescope tubes provides binocular observation with a base magnification of 10×. The original design allows the magnification to be increased to 20× by fitting a magnification extension. The field of view at base magnification is 5°, narrowing to 2° 30' with the extension fitted. The eyepieces can be individually focused within a range of ±4 dioptres and adjusted to suit the observer’s interpupillary distance.
The AST-B is not just a large observation telescope. The lower part of the instrument consists of a measuring base with scales and mechanisms for precise alignment. The instrument allows the measurement of horizontal angles over the full 360° range and vertical angles within a range of ±18°. The azimuth scale is divided into 60-00 and the elevation scale into ±3-00. Fine readings are made possible by the corresponding micrometers.
The design also includes a built-in magnet, which allows the instrument to be oriented towards magnetic north. This corresponds to the original purpose of the AST-B, not only for observation itself, but also for the topographical linking of command-and-observation posts and observation posts.
The height difference between the optical axis of the objective lenses and the eyepieces is approximately 325 mm. Light is guided through mirrors and inverting prisms in the upper part of the instrument to the eyepieces, so that the telescope maintains a naturally oriented image despite the significantly bent optical path.
The AST-B variant is based on the design of the AST vz.53 periscopic telescope, but features a modified lower section of the instrument with a built-in magnet, a red scale and a mechanism allowing the instrument to be oriented towards magnetic north. Its attachment to the tripod via a ball joint has also been modified.
The supplied tripod has three extendable legs, which allow the working height to be adjusted even on uneven terrain. When fully extended, it reaches a height of approximately 1545 mm. The ball joint allows the telescope to be positioned in the working position and then securely locked in place.
The binoculars feature:
Specifications:
This is original military equipment from NZ stocks. The instruments may show minor cosmetic signs of storage (patina, scuffs), which do not affect their functionality. The optics are fully functional, and the mechanics operate smoothly.
