WWII British Naval Binoculars! Value?

[lawrence_n]

I have a line on an English naval Barr & Stroud set of binoculars. The only pics I've been sent are the ones attached, but I'm told the lenses and function are good. Faded remnants of the bright yellow arrow can still be seen on the barrels and though the neck strap is intact, the case strap is gone. I've never seen the sun shades on binoculars so I'm assuming they aren't too thick on the ground. An idea of fair market value would be most appreciated. The seller won't be available for about a week so I can't add any more information.

Information

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[Gil Boyd]

Barr & Stroud were one of the many providers of mid range optics during WW2 and are still going today.
A good pair with a good leather case can fetch up to £120-150 with some provenance, but as there are so many that are swamping the market currently, especially on that site, most have been selling for under £50. I would take a look around these sites so you can best gauge what you want to pay for them IMHO.
If it was a friend of mine and I was interested in collecting them, I would probably offer £100 which I think would be fair and honest!

[lawrence_n]

Barr & Stroud were one of the many providers of mid range optics during WW2 and are still going today.
A good pair with a good leather case can fetch up to £120-150 with some provenance, but as there are so many that are swamping the market currently, especially on that site, most have been selling for under £50. I would take a look around these sites so you can best gauge what you want to pay for them IMHO.
If it was a friend of mine and I was interested in collecting them, I would probably offer £100 which I think would be fair and honest!

Thank you Gil. The lockdowns have meant no gun/militaria shows for the last 2 years. Now that the restrictions have eased, both are starting up again. Collectors are coming out in pretty good numbers at the shows, which is great for the vendors. Canadian prices vary greatly from European values it seems, and even from region to region here in Canada. I'm in contact with a gentleman in Winnipeg who is very knowledgeable and has helped me in the past. He'll be able to give me an idea of current North American values. The seller mentioned something about filters but until (or if) I get them I won't be able to truly assess them.

[Flying10uk]

I've never seen the sun shades on binoculars so I'm assuming they aren't too thick on the ground.

Yes, Barr & Stroud did fit shades to a few naval binoculars but they are scarce. The shades do increase the value but I wouldn't like to put a figure on it.

[Gil Boyd]

The binoculars on offer to you as shown in the pictures, are a WW2 Royal Navy Barr & Stroud version with the wind out shades. Ensure the fans that make up the shades wind out smoothly and in tact. Sadly the paintwork appears to have suffered the dreaded salt water attack and chipped around the eyepiece end and a few operational chips appear in the second shot. Again just check that you don't have too much white "chalky" powder "dried salt water" laying under the laminate of the binos as this is , over time very corrosive.
If you can focus and look through the optics with no loss at all or evidence of internal aging, they are still a worthwhile pair of WW2 binos to own. The War Department Crows feet can be easily restored with a careful hand and bright yellow paint, as can the neck straps.......................Good luck and let us all know how you get on.

[lawrence_n]

The binoculars on offer to you as shown in the pictures, are a WW2 Royal Navy Barr & Stroud version with the wind out shades. Ensure the fans that make up the shades wind out smoothly and in tact. Sadly the paintwork appears to have suffered the dreaded salt water attack and chipped around the eyepiece end and a few operational chips appear in the second shot. Again just check that you don't have too much white "chalky" powder "dried salt water" laying under the laminate of the binos as this is , over time very corrosive.
If you can focus and look through the optics with no loss at all or evidence of internal aging, they are still a worthwhile pair of WW2 binos to own. The War Department Crows feet can be easily restored with a careful hand and bright yellow paint, as can the neck straps.......................Good luck and let us all know how you get on.

Gil, as ever, you are a font of information. I'm aware that balsam glue was used to bind the lenses and that this can deteriorate over time so I'll watch for that. If I decide to purchase them, it'll be dependent upon the asking price and any non cosmetic defects. I don't know that I'd actually attempt to restore anything since the patina and fading are part of their history. Normally, I just try to clean up and halt any corrosion to stabilize whatever I've gotten my hands on, be it a sword or bayonet or whatever. Hereabouts, nice pieces of military history are not too thick on the ground. The gun/militaria shows are starting up again in a limited way with the easing of the lock-downs and covid mandates and it's nice to get out and see what's out there.

[Warren]

Be VERY careful with bino's and as Gill says, they are a bit*h to work on and if any grey or powder on the screws they are normally toast.
I have a few sets here I was sent for evaluation and other than drill out and retap every grub screw and screw they are not worth it.
They are cheap as chips in bog standard, but good ones are a bit more and worth the money.
Resetting prisms is not for the feint of heart I can tell you, plus the specialized tools you need.
I have a lot of the tools and will still not touch them.
There are a few companies in the UK that specialize in rebuilt military bino's so if you cannot live without a set ...spend the money and get a professionally rebuilt pair.
There were a few sets kicking around southern Ontario gun shows years ago and they always came back on another table a show or two later...