WW1 British Military Field Binoculars

[Flying10uk]

I have these X6 binoculars which I believe to have been in the family since the 1920s and were purchased by my Great Grandfather as WW1 war surplus shortly after the end of that conflict. I know that my Grandfather was in possession of them at the beginning of WW2 and he did use them for looking at aircraft as well as looking at V1's later in the war, not in any official capacity, but out of personal interest. I don't know a great deal about them, except that they are believed to be of WW1 vintage or older, although I can't see an obvious date and that they have never been serviced or had any maintenance while in private ownership yet they are in almost perfect working order with crystal clear optics. It's a testimony to the workmanship of the craftsmen who made it that they are still working so well, after all these years ,despite having had nothing done to them.

I am posting the pictures because I thought that other members may be interested and if anyone can provide any information about them such as the exact age I will be grateful. Thanks for looking.

Information

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[Surpmil]

More of a civilian model pressed into service than a true military design IMHO. The "NPL 18" mark means they were inspected at the National Physical Laboratory in 1918, presumably when they were about to be issued. That seems too late in the war for privately owned binoculars that were collected for service use, so perhaps Messrs. Dollond continued to make their civilian model(s) during the war? Not everyone needed graticules of course. From the condition of the screw slots, the prism cases have been opened a number of times, probably for cleaning.

[Flying10uk]

Yes, they do not have graticules and I'm not aware of them ever being removed. If they've ever been opened up it must have been years ago because I'm not aware of it ever being done in my or my Father's lifetime.

[bigduke6]

The two big yellow "broad arrow", are normally associated with the Navy, a prime example is Barr & Stroud CF41 Binoculars....

[Flying10uk]

Back in the day you couldn't really argue that they weren't MOD property if you got caught in possession of them when they shouldn't have been.

The two big yellow "broad arrow", are normally associated with the Navy, a prime example is Barr & Stroud CF41 Binoculars....