R.E.L. Binoculars

[lawrence_n]

Good day all! I have a shot at a pair of R.E.L. WWII binoculars with the case in overall very good condition (considering). Though I haven't had a chance to actually handle them, the lenses look OK. On an odd note, there is a secondary set of dials beside each eye piece with the letters "D G Y O". From my research, I'm given to understand that these are adjustable filters. I have 2 questions. Firstly, any idea of fair market value? Secondly, any idea what the letters designate? Any help would be most appreciated.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Flying10uk]

I think that you'll have to wait for much of answer until you have the bins and are able to post some photos. However, I do have a pair of REL 7X50 naval binoculars which only focus on each individual eye-piece; they don't have a centre focusing adjustment for both eye-pieces. If you are referring to this model of binocular then I believe it to be relatively common and not especially valuable. It's actual value will depend on it's condition when you get it, how well you can see through it and if you have "double vision" looking through it.

I once purchased a pair of vintage binoculars on a well known auction site that were supposed to be in good used condition. When they arrived it was like looking through a "Pee-Souper" of a fog, on a dark night and wearing sunglasses.

[lawrence_n]

Now with images! They are 7X50, but the extra dials by the oculars are something I've never encountered.

[Lee Enfield]

Now with images! They are 7X50, but the extra dials by the oculars are something I've never encountered.

They appear to have been rebuilt by Beaconing Optical & Precision Materials Co. Ltd.

http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Lee...noculars.2.pdf
BOP-REL Binocular - MLU FORUM
REL 7X50 with BOP Filter Modification (View 1) | Manufacture… | Flickr

[lawrence_n]

They appear to have been rebuilt by Beaconing Optical & Precision Materials Co. Ltd.

http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Lee...noculars.2.pdf
BOP-REL Binocular - MLU FORUM
REL 7X50 with BOP Filter Modification (View 1) | Manufacture… | Flickr

Thank you! Some of the information I'd already found during my research, but you've added some most interesting info to the mix. Now, the questions remain as to scarcity (in good condition) and value. I don't want to rip off the seller, but neither do I wish to over-pay.

[Flying10uk]

They are 7X50, but the extra dials by the oculars are something I've never encountered.

I've not seen them for sale in the UK like that, either. I do have an original unmodified pair with good optics that I purchased a few years ago, without a case, for a little under £50.

In my opinion, it's up to the seller to come up with a price and do their research before putting the item on the market.

Some years ago I was interested in buying a militaria item off someone who didn't know what the item was worth. I thought that I was doing the right thing by suggesting that the seller get an independent valuation from a third party. The seller went and sold the item, without telling me, to the person who was supposed to be giving the valuation, cheap, at about half the amount that I was prepared to pay. To say that I was seething for months is an understatement.

[Surpmil]

I have a pair and have seen at least two go on ePay. One out of Alberta within the last year made over $400 IIRC. The previous instance attracted almost no interest for some reason. Believe I paid about $40 at the local flea market. There were some NOS sets of the prism covers and filters floating about years ago. Presumably made up for naval use. They were based on the standard REL 7x50 optics I believe.

[lawrence_n]

I have a pair and have seen at least two go on ePay. One out of Alberta within the last year made over $400 IIRC. The previous instance attracted almost no interest for some reason. Believe I paid about $40 at the local flea market. There were some NOS sets of the prism covers and filters floating about years ago. Presumably made up for naval use. They were based on the standard REL 7x50 optics I believe.

Thank you. I bought them for what I think was a pretty good price. I looked at EBay, and the prices are all across the board but I couldn't find a pair with the filters and the R.E.L. marked leather case. I'm frankly at a loss as to what would constitute a fair price. There's one of the better local gun shows this Sunday and I know 2 very good militaria dealers who can give me a reasonable local market value.

[Surpmil]

It's a very handy design for marine use. I'm not sure why no binocular makers offer such a feature today. The yellow filter is also good for glare at night. If I could find a spare set of the filter housings I'd have them fitted to a cosmetically rough but optically superb old Zeiss Binoctar I have here!

[lawrence_n]

On to my last question. Do you know what "D G Y O" stands for? Dark, Green, Yellow, Orange perhaps? Never having used optics with different coloured filters, I have no first hand knowledge as to their efficacy, but on an intellectual level, I could see the practical applications.